Learn about the causes of Bedwetting & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Bedwetting within New Zealand.
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is a lack of bladder control when asleep leading to an involuntary passing of urine. Bedwetting is common in children under the age of seven but can affect teenagers and adults. Conditions such as diabetes and kidney failure can occasionally lead to bedwetting as can other factors including stress, constipation and urinary tract infection. The majority of bedwetting cases resolve themselves after seven years of age.
Causes of bedwetting
Bedwetting can be caused by a number of problems and there may be more
than one underlying issue which causes someone to wet the bed. The
common causes include an overactive bladder, health conditions or
emotional/psychological problems.
An overactive bladder is
commonly associated to bedwetting as the bladder wants to excrete urine
even when it is not full or when the individual is not ready to. An
overactive bladder can also cause a condition known as 'urge
continence' whereby a person suddenly needs to urinate but is incapable
of holding on in time to reach a toilet.
Underlying health
conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infections (UTIs), birth
abnormalities (ectopic ureter) or spina bifida (defect in the spinal
and nervous system development) can also cause bedwetting.
Despite
words to the contrary, bedwetting can be caused by emotional or
psychological problems. Bedwetting is common in children who are
experiencing upset or worry about events such as starting a new school
or the arrival of a new baby to the home. Bullying is also a common
trigger for bedwetting.
Should a child wet the bed for a period of six months or more then stress or anxiety may be the underlying cause.
Symptoms of bedwetting
The main symptom of nocturnal enuresis is a lack of bladder control
while asleep causing someone to pass urine involuntarily when in bed.
The experience can cause upset, stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety
may also be the underlying cause of the condition.
If a urinary
tract infection (UTI) is the cause of bedwetting there may be
associated symptoms such as pain or burning in the urethra during
urination. UTIs can also cause tiredness or a feeling of being 'washed
out'. Urine may appear to be cloudy or bloody and females can
experience uncomfortable pressure over the pelvis. Children with a UTI
may be irritable or have an unexplained fever.
Diagnosis of bedwetting
In the majority of cases, bedwetting is temporary and something
children grow out of by the age of seven. If your child is wetting the
bed on a regular basis, or it's causing them distress, take them to a
GP for assessment.
The GP will ask questions about the frequency
of bedwetting, how much the child has to drink before going to sleep
and how you and your child are coping with it. They will also try to
find out if there are any problems such as bullying or teasing which
may be the cause.
If a UTI or underlying health problem is
suspected the GP may carry out a physical examination and test the
urine for blood, glucose and nitrates.
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk
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