Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis is the involuntary urination while sleeping. It is common in young children and discontinues automatically without causing any seriousness.
Urine incontinence in children mainly occurs due to developmental issues. A child’s bladder is not matured-enough to store urine throughout the night. Sometimes, children have not yet developed the ability to wake themselves up when their bladder fills in the night. The bladder is a muscular sac that expands to hold the urine and contracts after urination.
What is the average age when bedwetting stops?
The age varies and is different for every child. In general, a child becomes toilet trained between 2-4 years. Most children can stay dry at whole night when they are 5-6 years old, but some children wet the bed occasionally until they are 10-12 years old. When a child’s body matures and nighttime bladder control starts, they are less likely to wet the bed at night. Till when the children reach their teen years, they outgrow bedwetting problems. But, if the problem persists after the maturation of their bladder control, the doctor defines it as primary enuresis.
We assume that bedwetting happens only in young children, but it can also occur in grown-ups. Nocturnal enuresis in teens or adults is due to depletion of bladder control during the night. Secondary enuresis happens when nocturnal enuresis reappears in teens after at least six months of bed wetting free period. It can be due to various diseases and should be the prime concern for parents.
Causes of bedwetting
Primary enuresis or urine incontinence during the night after the age when a child learns to control their bladder is a problematic situation. Diurnal enuresis is involuntary urination during the daytime. Secondary enuresis in teens can be due to various reasons. Some of the causes of bedwetting are:
When to see a doctor
Bedwetting is common in young children, and they get rid of it on their own or with little help from parents or family members. Sometimes, bedwetting is a symptom of an underlying disease, which requires medical intervention. Consult a medical health provider if your child:
Treatment of bedwetting
The doctor recommends various treatment approaches depending on the underlying cause, including:
With the assurance and support from you and family members, your child can easily prevail against bedwetting and have dry nights.
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