Bed Wetting Facts
Many kids and even teenagers seem to dread still experiencing bed wetting.
It can sometimes be a cause of concern for parents. But there are some facts
that both parents as well as their kids should know about bed wetting. Here
are some of them.
Bed wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis or simply enuresis, is a
condition wherein children and even some adults have the inability to
control urination while in their sleep. The result is that they end up
wetting their bed and only realize that it has happened after they wake up
in the morning. It is actually a common problem among children three years
old and below.
After that time, kids develop the ability to control their urination and
sometime even wake up in the middle of the night every time they feel like
urinating. But unfortunately, there are other kids who may not be as lucky.
They may still experience the inability to control or even feel that they
are urinating during their sleep. Around 15 percent of kids may still
experience bed wetting after the age of three.
Studies have shown that boys are more likely to wet their beds than girls.
Enuresis has also been found to run in the family. Kids who have parents
with a previous history of bed wetting when they were young are more likely
to also develop the problem. Bed wetting usually stops by the time children
reach the age of puberty.
In kids, bed wetting rarely is associated with a kidney or bladder problem.
The usual case is that some kids may develop bladder control at a slower
pace than normal. But there might be possibilities that some cases may be
caused by certain infections. That is why it may also be a good suggestion
to consult with a doctor to determine the actual cause of bed wetting in
kids just to make sure.
Some doctors also believe that certain cases of bed wetting may be rooted in
certain emotional or psychological issues. A kid suddenly experiencing bed
wetting after a certain period of dryness mat be a reflection of certain new
fears and insecurities that the child may have. Certain situations such as
moving into a new home, the parents undergoing divorce, or losing a loved
one may sometimes affect children in such a way as to cause them to wet
their beds at night.
It is also important to note that making children feel embarrassed or
shameful with their bed wetting experience would not be an effective way to
help them stop the habit. What it may do is develop certain insecurities as
well as make kids feel bad about themselves for bed wetting. Bear in mind
that children do not wet their beds on purpose.
Instead of making their children feel ashamed and embarrassed, parents
should try to encourage and express confidence in their children that they
will eventually out grow this condition. Positive reinforcement would
usually work better in trying to stop bed wetting in children.
More on bed wetting
