Bed-wetting: Know why it happens and how to overcome it

Bed-wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence, is urinating while sleeping after the age when peeing involuntarily is not expected. Wet bedsheets, blankets, and clothes may invite a certain degree of embarrassment, especially if you are a teenager or even an adult. But there is nothing worrisome about it. What you must do instead is get in touch with a healthcare professional to know if there may be a specific issue related to the condition.

HealthShots got in touch with Dr R.R. Dutta, HOD Internal Medicine, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, Haryana, to understand the reasons behind bed-wetting and ways to deal with it.

Reasons behind bed-wetting

The global prevalence of bed-wetting or enuresis among children aged 6-12 years is approximately 1.4-28 percent. In India, the incidence and prevalence reported are comparatively less. The condition, however, is noticed more in males than females. Children below the age of 7 may even develop the nighttime bladder control function. Hence, even if your kid has bed-wetting issues, it is of no concern. But, if it continues, the problem has to be treated with utmost care, patience, and understanding as it is already uncomfortable for the person experiencing the condition. Lifestyle changes and at times even medications help maintain the inconvenience.

Reasons for bed-wetting among adults

1. Stress

The hustle and bustle of life can take a toll on your cortisol levels, the stress hormone. The National Library of Medicine study also shows that high levels of stress due to living with a single parent, a parent with health problems, conflicts at home, stress due to enuresis, scolding, and poor scholastic performance increases the risk. “Also, there have been incidents of children with a history of birth asphyxia, low birth weight, cesarean birth, and absence of breastfeeding leading to bed-wetting,” asserts Dr Dutta.

2. Poor socioeconomic status

“According to the National Library of Medicine, there are higher occurrences of bed-wetting due to poor socioeconomic status in rural areas,” shares Dr Dutta.
Lack of resources and awareness to take preventive measures makes people more prone to such health concerns. Lack of accessibility to healthcare facilities and education makes people more susceptible to issues such as these.

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3. Underlying issues in the body

While these is credible data to understand the cause of the scenario, everyone is different. Getting medical attention is of much importance. It can also be due to an underlying disease. So, it is crucial to get in touch with a healthcare provider to understand the consequences.

Tips to overcome bed-wetting

Here are some lifestyle changes you can implement that could help reduce the chances:

1. Limit fluid intake in the evening

You may drink more liquids in the morning and early afternoon that could help curb thirst in the evening, thus preventing bed-wetting.

2. Limit caffeine intake

Caffeine can stimulate the bladder, so try to avoid it if you suffer from the problem, especially during the evening.

3. Ensure that you are using the toilet regularly

Any person undergoing this issue may urinate every two hours or so or as much to curb this feeling of urgency. So, the best way to avoid this is by going to the toilet regularly.

If bed-wetting is an issue for you, talk to your doctor to fix the underlying problem.