Bedwetting: Diagnosis and treatment

Article written by Master, Doctor Tran Hai Ha - Emergency Doctor - Emergency Department - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Bedwetting, also known as nocturia or nocturnal enuresis, is the inability to urinate while sleeping. Basically, bedwetting before the age of 7 is not a cause for concern. At this age, your child may still be developing bladder control at night. However, if bedwetting persists, be patient and investigate the problem, make lifestyle changes, bladder training, and need medication

Although uncomfortable, bedwetting without a cause, may not pose any health risks. However, bedwetting can cause a number of problems for your child, including:
Guilt and shame, which can lead to low self-esteem Loss of opportunities for social activities, for example such as sleeping through the night and camping Rash on your baby's bottom and genital area, especially if your child sleeps in wet underwear

Most children develop bedwetting on their own. If treatment is needed, it can be based on a discussion of options with your doctor and determining what would be most appropriate for your current condition.
If your child is bothered or embarrassed by occasional bedwetting, make lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine altogether and limiting fluid intake in the evening. However, if lifestyle changes aren't successful, your child may be able to help with additional treatments.
If found, underlying causes of bedwetting, such as constipation or sleep apnea, should be addressed before other treatment can be given. Options for treating bedwetting may include humidity monitors and medications.

2.1 Humidity alarms These small, battery-operated devices are available without a prescription at most pharmacies. They work by connecting to a moisture-sensitive pad on your child's pajamas or bedding. When the pad senses moisture, an alarm will sound.
Best of all, the humidity alarm goes off as soon as your child starts urinating in time to help him wake up, stop the flow of urine, and go to the bathroom. If your child is a heavy sleeper, someone else may need to listen to the alarm and wake him up.
Humidity warnings are effective for many children, have less risk of recurrence or side effects, and may provide a better long-term solution than medication. These devices are usually not covered by insurance.

2.2 Medication As a last resort, your child's doctor may prescribe medication for a short time to stop bed-wetting. Some medications can:
Slow nighttime urine production. The drug desmopressin (DDAVP) reduces urine production at night. But taking too much liquid with the medicine can cause problems, and desmopressin should be avoided if your child has symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or nausea. Bladder soothing. If your child has a small bladder, an anticholinergic medicine such as oxybutynin (Ditropan XL) can help reduce bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity. Especially if daytime enuresis also occurs.

Here are changes you can make at home to see significant improvement:
Limit fluids in the evening. It's important to get enough fluids, so there's no need to limit how much your child drinks in a day. However, it is advisable to drink water in the morning and early afternoon, which can reduce thirst in the evening. But don't limit evening fluids if your child is engaged in sports or playing games in the evening. Avoid drinks and foods with caffeine. Drinks with caffeine are not recommended for children at any time of the day. Because caffeine can stimulate the bladder, it's best not to give your child caffeine in the evening. Encourage steam bath before going to bed. Double urination is urinating at the start of the bedtime routine and then urinating again just before falling asleep. Remind your child that you can go to the bathroom at night if needed. Use a small night light, so your child can easily find the path between the bedroom and the bathroom. Encourage frequent use of the restroom during the day. During the day and evening, ask your child to urinate every two hours or at least often enough to avoid the urge to urinate. Prevent rashes. To prevent rashes caused by wet panties, help your child wash his buttocks and genitals every morning. It may also help to cover the affected area with a moisturizing ointment or cream before bed. Ask your pediatrician for product recommendations.

It can be seen that, in addition to bringing a greater risk of urinary tract infections or dermatitis, children with nocturnal enuresis also tend to form bad habits as well as affect psychological and mental development. nature.
In case the child urinates several times a night, parents can take the child to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination. This is one of the leading hospitals in the country in terms of examination, diagnosis and treatment of digestive, urinary, respiratory, and nutritional diseases, especially in infants and young children. The examination and treatment process is always performed by a team of experienced doctors. The system of modern equipment and machinery, the hospital space ensures, minimizes cross-infection between pediatric patients. Therefore, parents can rest assured when choosing services at Vinmec.