Bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis otherwise known as urinary incontinence is the involuntary passage of urine often happening during asleep at night. There are also people who wet their beds or clothing during the day and this condition is not exclusive to children. Generally children stops bedwetting by the age of 4 when their urinary system has achieved some degree of maturity.
Adult bedwetting on the other hand does not mean immature bladder rather it is a symptom of an underlying medical problem. Adults with normal urinary system are able to control the functions of their bladder. Urination pattern is regular and passage of urine is voluntary and regulated. During the night the kidneys produce lesser urine to enable the bladder to store adequate volume until the person wakes up in the morning and void consciously.
In the case of people with enuresis or incontinence urination is irregular and uncontrollable causing discomfort and inconvenience. This condition is caused by several factors including:
Weak bladder muscles caused by physical trauma due to accidents
Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles as a result of pregnancy and childbirth
Damaged or blocked urethral sphincter due to enlarged prostate gland or tissue scarring after laser treatment of cancer or invasive surgery
Blocked urinary tracts by kidney stones and infections
Intervention and Management
After the doctor or a continence specialist has made a thorough medical checkup and laboratory tests and the underlying cause of incontinence is established and evaluated, only then a treatment regimen is recommended and commenced. Based on the underlying cause of your incontinence your doctor may start you on the following:
Use of bedwetting alarm. This device wakes the person up when the bladder starts to void
Diet change. Reduce if not totally stop drinking alcohol, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks and eliminating processed and spicy foods in your diet as these irritate the bladder
Strengthening exercises for the pelvic floor muscle such as the Kegel exercise
Use of Desmopressin, a prescription drug that suppresses the amount of urine that your kidneys produce during the night.
Treatment of enlarged prostate gland
Treatment of urinary tract infections
Repair of urinary sphincter if there is tissue damage
Use of incontinence products to manage leaks and dribbles. Absorbent pads and pants designed to soak up wetness day and night keeping the afflicted person dry and comfortable
The effective treatment of adult problem depends on the positive outlook of the patient and the expert care of a professional health care provider.