Enuresis

What is Enuresis? 

Enuresis is when a child wets themselves even though they're old enough to control their bladder. It's also called urinary incontinence. This can happen during the day or at night. It's common for children under three years old to not have full control of their bladder, but as they get older, they usually learn to control it. 

Enuresis is not a serious health concern, and most children outgrow it. However, it can be uncomfortable for both the child and their parents. Parents should be patient. Instead, they should work with a doctor to find the cause and take effective measures to treat it. 

Symptoms in Children? 

• Wetting the bed while sleeping at night 
• Wetting the clothes during the day 
• Wetting the bed or clothes regularly, at least twice a week, for at least three months. 

Children typically experience enuresis. Each child may experience slightly different symptoms. According to estimates, 3% of girls and 7% of boys aged 5 experience enuresis. By age 10, these figures have dropped to 3% of boys and 2% of girls. Most kids get over it by the time they are teenagers, and only 1% of males and 1% of females still have it at age 18. 

Causes 

Although the exact reason for bedwetting is unclear, it is considered to be due to a delay in development in at least one of the three categories listed below: 

1. Bladder: less bladder capacity at night 

1. Kidney: Nighttime urine production is higher 

1. Brain: unable to wake up from sleep 

In young kids and infants, the bladder just releases urine whenever it feels full. This is because the connections between the brain and the bladder still develop at this age. The links between the bladder and the brain mature as children get older. This gives a kid control over their urine release. However, this control typically takes longer to become effective at night than during the day. 

Enuresis (both voluntary and intentional) is sometimes linked to other mental health issues , such as anxiety or behaviour problems. Other risk factors are Genetics, Deep sleep, Obstructive sleep apnea/snoring, Constipation, Bladder or kidney disease, Neurologic disease, and Other medical conditions (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and/or medications. 

When Must You Visit A Doctor? 

Parents must visit a paediatrician if a child has bladder control problems. Doctor consultation will allow them to learn more about enuresis and rule out potential medical issues. The doctor will first review the child's full medical history and make enquiries about any other urinary symptoms. Your child will also have a full physical examination, including a basic urine test (urinalysis). This test will detect symptoms of disease or infection (if any).If stress is the primary factor, managing that stress would be the first step in treating bedwetting. Timely consultation can be extremely beneficial for the child. 

Kindly make an appointment with us at 02 8069 2127. 

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