Insights to Nocturnal Enuresis

Perhaps the most over-worried (by parents) condition of children is nocturnal enuresis. Yes, bed-wetting. There are several reasons for it and a lack of understanding by parents does not help. Learning some about bed-wetting will help you better know when there might be a condition to worry about a possible prevent them from correction measures that will actually exasperate the problem. The best place to start is the two types of bed wetting.

One thing we should get out of the way before we even start is the McDonald Triad. Published in 1963, he (McDonald) thought he had identified three factors, bed-wetting, fire-starting, and animal cruelty as precursors to children destined to become sociopaths. The bed-wetting has since been downplayed so just because little Johnny wet the bed till he was ten you don't have to sleep with locked doors for fear of him killing you in your sleep.

Types of nocturnal enuresis

Bed-wetting is broken down to two different types. One is Primary Nocturnal Enuresis or PNE. This is when there has never been a prolonged period of dryness. The other is Secondary enuresis. That is reverting back to bed-wetting.

There is good news and bad new if the child has PNE. The good news is it is most like caused by a developmental delay in the hormone cycle and will go away one it's own given time (meaning years). The bad news, besides the years part, is that there is really nothing you can do to speed up the process. Your energy is better spent on adsorbent undergarments for sleep (don't call them diapers) and waterproof mattress pads. Delay before trying to use the "wet alarms".

PNE has strong genetic ties so it does tend to run in families. What is most likely happening is their body is not yet producing the antidiuretic hormones that adults do that slows down urine production later at night. The other (unrelated) hormone wakes us when we need to go. They might not be producing that one.

Secondary enuresis can be caused by many things. The good news if treat the underlaying problem it generally stops. Bladder infections are one of the biggest causes so the physician can help you there. Caffeine at night might be the problem as it is a diuretic. Sleep apnea and sleepwalking can be a cause as it interrupts the sleep cycle. Stress can play a very big factor and because it adds to the stress it can be perpetual.

A few "Don'ts"

There are a few things that researchers have agreed upon that might help. Don't be harsh or critical about the issue and definitely don't punish them. That will make the problem worse. Above all, be patient;don't expect miracles. You need to be realistic. Most parents expect children to stop bed-wetting several years before physicians do and even longer before they are concerned. Trust the doctor on it.