Bedwetting can indicate a health problem; see how to prevent and treat

*This text has been written based on the information received from health institutions and organizations, hospitals and health professionals. If you or someone you know has any of the symptoms described here, our recommendation is to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Bedwetting is among the most common urinary problems in childhood. It is estimated that one in ten young people up to the age of 17 in Brazil suffers from this problem. known as nocturnal urinary incontinence, or enuresisIt is a normal part of child development.

However, from the age of 5, it is expected that the child will begin to control the bladder better. In the absence of such a development, punishment is never the solution. See below for tips on how to avoid and seek appropriate treatment.

this enuresis Nighttime is the most common loss of bladder control. The inability to stop peeing is common in young children up to age 5 who are still developing.

About 7% of boys and 3% of 5-year-old girls have nocturnal incontinence. This number tends to decrease with age, reaching 3% of boys and 2% of girls by age 10. Few get the condition until puberty.

If the condition persists after this age, it is time to seek a diagnosis. There are many factors that can cause this condition, including the influence of the genetic burden of the parents on their children.

Additionally, incontinence may be the result of a small bladder or may be indicative of urinary tract infections. It may also be related to a stressful environment or developmental disorders.

Bedwetting is the most characteristic sign of the disease, but it must occur repeatedly to characterize the problem. Some experts point out that the frequency of twice a week for three consecutive months is an alarming range.

Can enuresis be prevented?

There are measures that can reduce the frequency of bedwetting and help prevent it. enuresis. For example, encouraging the child to urinate more often during the day is one of them. Also, taking a break between dinner and bedtime can help.

It is also an effective measure to avoid consuming fluids at night or very salty foods that make you thirsty and help the body retain water. Taking the child to the toilet before going to bed is also a positive behavior.

Even with these measures, all cases enuresis especially those caused by problems in anatomy can be prevented. Therefore, it is important that the child be evaluated by a pediatrician at the first sign of persistent symptoms.

What should you do if you suspect a health problem?

Diagnosis should be made by a pediatrician who will do a family history and physical examination of the child to rule out other disorders that may affect pee loss.

For this, laboratory tests can be done mainly to try to identify possible urinary infections that the teenager is suffering from. In addition, blood sugar, hormones and kidney functions can be measured.

The doctor also has to evaluate possible medications that may cause incontinence as a side effect. However, it can be diagnosed when health problems that may cause it are ruled out. enuresis given.

After the clinical picture is determined, treatment can be started. However, the specialist may choose not to intervene, because enuresis It is part of development and normally overcomes as the child grows.

If the pediatrician chooses treatment, behavioral interventions that resolve more than half of cases alone are acceptable. They include:

• Motivational Therapy: Giving the young person rewards as they develop bladder control;
• Bladder exercise: Setting regular hours to go to the toilet at longer intervals helps the child learn to hold back their pee and work the bladder;
• Alarms: Studies showing that using a bed-wet system is effective in treatment, with the lowest recurrence rate of all currently used strategies;

There are medications that can be used for more serious conditions. Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) and imipramine are drugs that help reduce the amount of urine produced by the kidneys or increase bladder capacity.

bedwetting or enuresisis a normal problem of urinary incontinence that runs through child development. When it persists after the age of 5, it is the evaluation of specialists to rule out other diseases and sometimes treatment to provide a dry bed and a peaceful night’s sleep.