Nocturnal Enuresis: The Winnable Fight

Nocturnal denotes an activity happening at night. Enuresis means the lack of full bladder control. Nocturnal Enuresis is commonly known as bedwetting. It is more of a medical condition than a disease that affects 15% children aged 5. This condition gradually improves as children age, only 3% of children aged 15 have this condition. Nocturnal Enuresis or bedwetting is a normal occurrence that can be treated by therapy or medication. In most cases, Nocturnal Enuresis goes away as the child matures even without therapy or medication.

There are two types of bedwetting, Primary Nocturnal Enuresis and Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis.

Primary Nocturnal Enuresis is a condition characterized by regular bedwetting since infancy. Children with this condition never had total bladder control at night and sometimes even during the day. Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis is a condition characterized by bedwetting after a long period of total bladder control. Children with this condition are often referred to a doctor or specialist since more often than not, diseases or other ailments affecting the children cause this condition.

Nocturnal Enuresis is hereditary. A large percentage of children suffering from bedwetting had parents or relatives who also had the condition.

Small bladders and the delayed development of the nervous system's triggering function for bladder control is associated with Nocturnal Enuresis.

Infection and constipation have also been identified as possible causes for Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis.

An Antidiuretic hormone controls the production of urine. Usually the body generates more of this hormone at night. Nocturnal Enuresis sufferers have been known to produce a significantly lower amount of this hormone at night.

Others factors such as diet, over sleeping, psychological and social conditions may not cause Nocturnal Enuresis directly but have been noted to contribute to the development of the condition.

Bedwetting is a normal condition; nevertheless there are several treatments that can help alleviate this condition. These treatments are generally given or administered to children aged 6 and above.

A moisture sensor or a bed wetting alarm is a device attached to their pajamas that detects moisture and then triggers an alarm. This therapy has been proven effective for 70% of children with Primary Nocturnal Enuresis. It is however recommended that the use of the device should be extended to 3-6 weeks after the child shows total bladder control. This would prevent a relapse of the condition, which affects 15% of bed wetting alarm users. The device is usually used for 3-6 months before full bladder control is attained.

Medication is also used to control Nocturnal Enuresis, but it is only intended for short-term use not as a total cure. Like when a child needs to go to a friend for a sleepover. Nasal sprays, such as desmopressin, helps the child control producing less urine. An antidepressant medication called imipramine is also used to control the bladder. This medication should be used with caution as it is known to affect behavioral patterns and is fatal in high dosages.

For children with Nocturnal Enuresis, it is important for the parents to be absolutely supportive. It is enough that the child may feel embarrassed and even guilty for having soiled the sheets, it is the parents' responsibility to prevent further psychological harm. They should be able to identify and commend all signs of improvement of the child's condition and give encouragement to the child's efforts.

It is also recommended that a doctor have to be consulted before any endeavor to treat Nocturnal Enuresis is taken.