Bedwetting (Enuresis) Information
 

Prevalence 

Bedwetting (enuresis) is a problem for one third of five year olds. Some wet occasionally, others every night. Most children will eventually stop wetting the bed but it is impossible to predict when this will occur, with some still bedwetting into their teenage years. Surprisingly about 2% of those between sixteen and sixty still wet the bed several times a week. Recent research has found that older children and those who wet more than three nights a week are unlikely to outgrow the problem in the next twelve months. They need to commence treatment to solve the problem.

Causes

Rather than wasting time and money on various tests to diagnose what is causing the bedwetting we recommend treating all the causes of bed wetting. Most children have a combination of factors combining to cause the problem. Common causes of bedwetting are:

• a small bladder capacity;
• production of large volumes of urine overnight;
• very deep sleep; and
• constipation. 

Treatment

Various methods have been used to treat the problem including bedwetting alarms, medication e.g. desmopressin (Minirin), drinking and bladder training programs.

Unfortunately there is great variation in success rates with different programs. Our experience has shown that it is essential to follow a structured program with each step followed in the correct order and then results are very good.

Our program recommends:

• a drinking program, which improves the connection between the bladder and the brain and helps to increase bladder capacity;
• stopping popular foods and drinks which may interfere with vasopressin, the hormone which concentrates the urine at night;
• treatment of constipation;
• use of a bedwetting alarm if necessary; and
• rarely medication.

 Results

Young children wetting about three nights per week, who start our program, are likely to improve within about three weeks without using a bedwetting alarm.

Children who are wetting every night and those who have reached seven years of age are more likely to need a bed wetting alarm in addition to the initial steps. It is pointless to continue on the initial steps for months on end without trying a bedwetting alarm. Some children will continue to wet every night until an alarm is commenced, however, the initial steps prime them to respond to the alarm.

Even the occasional wet night is not acceptable in older children and so the alarm may be needed to completely cure the problem.

If you purchase the Kit and end up not needing the alarm it can be returned in the sealed pack within 6 months. About 5% of those who purchase the Kit return the alarm because it is not needed.

Psychological Problems

Bedwetting problems are often attributed incorrectly to psychological problems. In our experience this is rarely the case. Once the bedwetting problem has been solved research has found children’s behaviour and self confidence improve. At times a child’s sleep pattern may alter for various reasons. They may sleep more deeply when they are stressed, sick or tired. This change in sleep pattern may be enough to lead to bedwetting in a borderline child. This just means that they need treatment so that despite problems and stress they still won’t wet the bed.

When to start treatment

It is best to start treatment at about age five. The first three steps of our program can be used with younger children e.g. four years of age, however, we do not recommend using a bedwetting alarm until children are about five years old. The fact is that most people who contact us have a child who is older. You have a very good chance of success with this program even in older children, teenagers and adults.

Winter and Summer

Some children improve in summer, only to have the bedwetting become problematic again the following winter. This may be because in winter the child is not drinking adequately, they are perspiring less and they are sleeping more deeply curled up under a cozy quilt.

What if bedwetting is not treated?

Left untreated bedwetting has implications, which are often underestimated by both the community and those advising on its treatment. It places a huge burden on the whole family, as any parent of a bedwetting child will testify! Parents often become very distressed and might even suspect that their child is deliberately causing mischief. They are not! Try as they might to help, they feel powerless to stop wetting the bed, and in time their self-esteem may even suffer. Sleepovers with friends and school camps can become a source of considerable stress to the child. Many parents become resigned to the fact that they are unable to help their child. Doctors are often dismissive, offering only reassurance that the child will eventually outgrow the problem, when the family requires immediate help. Whilst bed wetting is a very common problem, it is often needlessly tolerated because of a certain reluctance to discuss what is an awkward and embarrassing subject for many people.

Bedwetting Alarms

Results in research trials with bedwetting  alarms have varied from 40% success to 97% success. This shows that there is great variability between programs. See our information section for details about the common mistakes people make with alarms. To achieve a success rate over 90% it is essential to use a comprehensive step by step program with the alarm as only one part of the program.

Medication

The most commonly prescribed medication for bedwetting is desmopressin, brand name Minirin. It is a synthetic hormone and has similar actions to the hormone vasopressin, (antidiuretic hormone). Desmopressin helps to reduce the volume of urine produced at night. It is available as a nasal spray and a tablet. This medication will reduce the number of wet nights in some children and even stop the bedwetting completely in a few. The main problem with desmopressin is that it is very common for the bedwetting to return as soon as the medication is stopped. Desmopressin is only available with a prescription from a Medical Practitioner.

Hereditary Factors

There is a tendency for bedwetting to run in families and bedwetting is more common in boys. This does not in any way alter the treatment.

Adults and Teenagers

Bedwetting in teenagers and adults can be cured. The causes are generally the same and the treatment is the same step-by-step approach. In addition to all the standard recommendations adults need to be aware that alcohol suppresses the hormone vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). Following treatment it should be possible to consume alcohol without having an episode of bedwetting.

Help

There is no need to live with bedwetting. Results are very good with a well-designed comprehensive step-by-step program. Remember if you purchase any of our products we are contactable by phone, however, experience has shown us that if you purchase the Bedwetting Cured Kit, you are unlikely to need any further help. You will have solved the problem.