Enuresis or bed wetting : causes, treatment

Enuresis or bed wetting

“An act of passing urine involuntarily while sleeping, even after the child attained the age of controlling voiding or continence is termed as nocturnal enuresis“.  Bed wetting is the common term used for enuresis. Even though enuresis is not a big problem, it disturbs the child and parents psychologically.

American psychiatry association defines “enuresis as the children older than age of five and have incontinent of urine at night while sleeping”. Enuresis is classified as primary enuresis and secondary enuresis. it can affect 5 to 18 % children.

urinary continence or control of voiding, develops with child maturity. During infantile period voiding is controlled by spinal reflex . After toilet training and maturity between 2 to 4 years of age children develop urinary continence.

Causes of enuresis or bed wetting:-

• Diabetes mellitus

• Diabetes insipidus

• Sickle cell disease

• Some medications

• Habit formation of nocturnal voiding

• Neurogenic bladder

• Urinary tract infection

• Dysfunctional voiding

These are the main causes of nocturnal enuresis,  with proper diagnosis and treatment it can be controlled and treated well.