Bedwetting
Synopsis of Bedwetting
Bedwetting, medically known as nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary release of urine during sleep, most commonly in children but sometimes in adolescents or adults. It is classified as primary if the individual has never achieved consistent nighttime dryness, or secondary if bedwetting occurs after a period of at least six months of dry nights.
Bedwetting is common in childhood, affecting approximately 15% of children at age 5, with decreasing prevalence as children grow. It is not usually a sign of serious medical issues, but persistent bedwetting may cause emotional distress or social anxiety. Understanding potential physical or emotional causes can help manage the condition effectively.
Types:
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Primary nocturnal enuresis: Bedwetting in individuals who have never achieved long-term nighttime dryness.
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Secondary nocturnal enuresis: Bedwetting that restarts after a dry period (six months or more), often triggered by stress or underlying health conditions.
Common Causes (Risk Factors):
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Delayed bladder maturation: The bladder’s ability to hold urine and signal the brain during sleep is underdeveloped.
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Deep sleep patterns: Some individuals sleep so deeply they do not wake in response to bladder signals.
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Hormonal imbalance: Low levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) at night, which reduces urine production during sleep.
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Family history: Bedwetting tends to run in families.
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Stress or emotional factors: Changes at home, school, or trauma can contribute.
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Constipation: A full bowel can press on the bladder, reducing its capacity.
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Can cause bladder irritation and contribute to accidents.
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Small bladder capacity: May not hold enough urine through the night.
More Severe Causes (Complications):
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Underlying medical conditions: Diabetes, urinary tract anomalies, sleep apnea, or neurological disorders.
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Low self-esteem and embarrassment: Emotional distress from ongoing bedwetting.
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Social avoidance: Fear of participating in sleepovers or camps.
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Sleep disturbances: Frequent waking or poor sleep quality.
When to See a Doctor or Specialist (Pediatrician, Urologist):
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Bedwetting persists beyond age 7 with no improvement.
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Secondary enuresis develops after a long dry period.
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Accompanied by painful urination, cloudy or pink urine, daytime accidents, or constipation.
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Excessive thirst, weight loss, or other systemic symptoms (possible diabetes).
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Emotional distress or impact on self-esteem.
Natural remedies for Bedwetting
Bladder Training (Daytime and Evening): Encourages holding urine for longer periods during the day to increase bladder capacity. Gradually extend time between bathroom visits.
Limit Evening Fluid Intake: Reduces the volume of urine produced at night. Encourage drinking more fluids earlier in the day.
Scheduled Nighttime Bathroom Trips: Waking the child once at night to use the bathroom can help retrain the bladder. Establish consistent timing.
Magnesium and Vitamin B6: Support nerve and muscle function, possibly improving bladder control. Supplement under professional guidance.
Probiotics: Support gut health, reducing constipation that may press on the bladder. Include fermented foods or supplements.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA, EPA): Support neurological development and may improve sleep and bladder signaling. Include fish oil or plant-based omega-3s.
Herbal Support (Corn Silk, Horsetail): Traditionally used to strengthen bladder tone and reduce incontinence. Use under guidance.
Stress Reduction Techniques (Mindfulness, Breathing Exercises): Reduce anxiety that may contribute to bedwetting. Practice daily, especially before bedtime.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward dry nights rather than punishing accidents. Use sticker charts or small incentives.
Moisture Alarms: Devices that detect moisture and wake the sleeper before the bladder fully empties. Effective for some children.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Bedwetting
alpha lipoic acid
ashwagandha
black cumin
chamomile
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
horsetail
l-cystine
l-theanine
magnesium
milk
omega-3 fatty acids
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
protein
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
squawvine
shen-chu
mugwort
dodder
morinda
cornsilk
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Alcohol
Ash
Avens
Asoka
Animal Tissue
American Basil
Average Herb Strength
Agmisode
Aliphatic alcohol
Ardisia
Angelica
Agrimony
Amino Acid Chelate
Anamu
Almond Oil
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
Alkyl (unspecified)
Alkaloids
alkaloid
Avian (unspecified)
Argan nut oil
Ash (unspecified)
Aster (unspecified)
Betony
Belladonna
Blend (Combination)
Botanical Blend
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
benzenoid (unspecified)
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Blend (Vitamin)
Blackboard tree
Butter
Boerhavia diffussa
berry
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Blend (combination)
blend (herb/botanical)
banana
Bovine (not specified)
Bovine (unspecified)
Boerhavia diffusa
Blend (combination)
Coconut
Color
Colostrum
Calcium Magnesium Citrate
Castor oil derivative (unspecified)
Cnidium
Chinese mugwort
Chinese Mallow
Colotsrum
Calcium
Coating
Calcium
Carrot
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Common madia
Chamomile (not specified)
Carbon
Chamomile
Coconut
Chamomile (unspecified)
Chenopodium album
Color
Chrysophanics
Dianthus
Dwarf lilyturf
Delivery system
Excipients
Epidermal Growth Factor
European Vervain
esters
Ethanol
Flavor
Filler
Fungus
Fruit (unspecified)
fibroblast growth factor
Flavanoid (mixture)
Glutamine
German Chamomile
Growth factors
Gland (unspecified)
Grain (unspecified)
Glutamine precursor (unspecified)
Hoenelen
Hemp
Iris
Indian Kinotree
Juice (unspecified)
Kokilaksha
Linden
Lymph
Lycopodium (unspecified)
Laptedenia
Malt (unspecitied)
mineral (unspecified)
Moringa
Macadamia Oil
Moisture
Morinda (unspecified)
Milk
Mugwort
Magnesium Citrate
milk
Magnesium
Nigella Seed
Oxygen
Olive Oil
Oat Oil
Oxygen
Proprietary Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Phyllanthus (unspecified)
Phenylpropanoids (unspecified)
Pulsatilla
Phenolics (unspecified)
Plant oil (unspecified)
Protein
Placenta
Phosphorus oxide
Placental protein
Protein (unspecified)
Poppy
Pretty Face
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Rice
Ricinoleic acid
Sugar cane
Solanaceae (unspecified)
Sphaerotrichia
Stellaria dichotoma
Sugarcane
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Tea (unspecified)
Thymoquinone
Tissue (unspecified)
Tea (not specified)
triglyceride
Tulbaghia
Tallow
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B5 (mixed)
Vegetable Source
Violet
Vitamin B6 (unspecified)
Vitamin D (unspecified)
Viola (unspecified)
Vitamin B6 (various)
White Rice
Wood Betony
Wool
Wine (unspecified)
Zinc Yeast