If you are a mother, you might have tolerated all those late-night messes due to your kid’s bedwetting habit. Bedwetting or nighttime incontinence is involuntary urination during sleep. It is a common problem among kids below the age of 7. During this phase, children are still developing nighttime bladder control. Although most children are toilet trained between the ages of 2 and 4, some children are still unable to control their bladder after age 5.
People often think bedwetting is a problem that kids commonly face, but teens and older adults can also lose control over their bladder while sleeping. About 1-2 of every 100 teens suffer from it. Compared to girls, more boys face the bedwetting issue.
Interesting Facts About Bedwetting
Knowing more about bedwetting can help parents and caregivers avoid soggy beds at night. These ten exciting things about nighttime incontinence will help you better cope with the problem.
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Nocturnal Enuresis
The medical name for nighttime incontinence is Nocturnal Enuresis. Nocturnal Enuresis is described as involuntary urination while sleeping after the age when a person should be able to control his bladder. About 5 to 7 million kids wet their beds. At the same time, about 15% of children continue to wet their beds even after the age of five. Adults also suffer from nighttime incontinence because of underlying health issues affecting the bladder muscles.
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Bedwetting Is Not A Sign Of Laziness
Most parents and caregivers assume that soaking beds at night is a sign of laziness, but it is the other way around. Nocturnal enuresis is entirely involuntary, and there are multiple reasons behind it.
In children, bedwetting occurs due to an undeveloped connection between the brain and the bladder. The bladder has a complex system of nerves. These nerves communicate with the brain to control urine. The connection, at times, requires time to develop fully. And so, when the child is in a deep sleep, he cannot recognize the need to empty his bladder.
Whereas if an adult needs disposable diapers and pull-up underwear to prevent the bed from getting wet, it might be due to stress, urinary tract infection, or because he has an overactive bladder.
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Genetics Are Often To Be Blamed
Family history can also determine if your kid still relies on teen diapers at night. The parent of the kid might have suffered from nighttime bedwetting at the same age.
If one of the parents used to wet the bed at night, the kid has a 25% chance of facing the same issue. However, if both parents face nocturnal enuresis during childhood, the chances jump to 65%. So, if you are stressed because of your child’s bedwetting habit, the fault lies within your DNA.
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Stress Is Also A Culprit Behind Bedwetting
A stressful or disturbing event can also lead to nighttime bedwetting. It is known as secondary nocturnal enuresis, which is not particularly common and can occur at any age.
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Hormones May Have A Hand In It
The human body produces an Antidiuretic Hormone ADH (also known as Arginine Vasopressin). ADH informs the body about how much water to conserve. It further ensures that our body produces less urine during the night.
The problem begins when the body produces consistent ADH at night, causing the kidney to make more urine during sleep. Although there are medications to control the production of ADH hormone, they are not entirely practical.
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Constipation Leads To Bedwetting
A full bladder is often a leading cause of urinary incontinence in teens and adults. When the bladder is full, it puts pressure causing uncontrolled bladder contractions. The contractions cause the person to wet their bed during deep sleep.
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You Can Save The Mattress!
Bedwetting is a common problem among kids of all ages. Adults also face this problem as they begin aging. But that doesn’t mean you have to wash linens and bedding daily.
Use mattress covers to prevent urine from reaching the mattress. Waterproof mattress covers with zippers are the most reliable mattress covering options. To add an extra layer of protection, you can add a bed or waterproof bed pads to the mattress. Disposable bed pads are incredibly convenient as you can toss them in the bin after using them.
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Water Is Not An Issue
Most parents and caregivers have this misconception that limiting water intake might solve the bedwetting problem. Well, this is not true at all. Our body needs water to stay hydrated. Avoiding water altogether will only worsen the situation.
Depriving your body of an adequate amount of water will cause dehydration which will eventually lead to constipation. Constipation is a leading cause of nighttime incontinence. Try to schedule your drinking habits throughout the day. Limiting your water intake around bedtime and avoiding carbonated and caffeinated drinks might help ease the situation.
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Bathroom Habits Can Help
Bladder training and encouraging positive bathroom habits can help the child or adult cope with bedwetting. Motivate them to use the bathroom at specific intervals throughout the day. You could encourage them to empty their bladder right before going to bed. Positive attitudes around incontinent kids and adults will help them feel relaxed and determined.
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Try The Bedwetting Alarm
It may sound new to your ears, but bedwetting alarms are beneficial. The alarms are attached to the pads and underwear. It can sense urine and wake up the person before it’s too late.
AvaCare Medical Store Has Got Your Back!
Getting all the nighttime incontinence products from one place is a big problem for parents and caregivers. But AvaCare is here to solve the issue. We are a leading incontinence supply store in the country, having products from all the trustworthy brands. Whether you need a highly absorbent mattress cover or looking for an easy-to-manage adult diaper, we have got everything under one roof. Besides, you can enjoy the free delivery if the billing amount exceeds $50. For any queries, contact us!
