Medication can be an effective treatment for enuresis, but only for as long as it is taken.
All rights reserved. your bed-wetting may also be because of conditions that affect your body's ability to store and hold urine. Surgery should only be considered once other non-invasive options have been exhausted. © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). However, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in urinary disorders (pediatric urologist or pediatric nephrologist).Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and know what to expect from your doctor.Some basic questions to ask your doctor may include:Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Enuresis can also be a symptom of problems in the Coupled with overactive bladder or bladder instability, this can lead to bedwetting. There are no guarantees, however, and medication doesn't cure the problem. Medication only deals with the symptoms rather than the underlying causes of bedwetting, so it's recommended that you try behavioral treatments as well. Consult your doctor before trying any treatment on your own. According to the Food and Drug Administration, nasal spray formulations of desmopressin (Noctiva, others) are no longer recommended for treatment of bed-wetting due to the risk of serious side effects.Sometimes a combination of medications is most effective.
It's a normal condition for children and can be a sign of illness in adults. If you choose a nonconventional approach, ask the doctor if it's safe for your child and make sure it won't interact with any medications your child may take.Children don't wet the bed to irritate their parents. Bedwetting, or enuresis, is the loss of bladder control at night. Nocturnal enuresis or bedwetting is the involuntary release of urine during sleep. When the pad senses wetness, the alarm goes off.Ideally, the moisture alarm sounds just as your child begins to urinate — in time to help your child wake, stop the urine stream and get to the toilet. Overactive or unstable bladder. The body produces an antidiuretic hormone at night called ADH, which slows the kidney's production of urine while you sleep. Effective treatment may include several strategies and may take time to be successful.With reassurance, support and understanding, your child can look forward to the dry nights ahead.You're likely to start by seeing your child's pediatrician. Sleep apnea. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend the following to identify any underlying cause of bed-wetting and help determine treatment:Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own. These devices are not typically covered by insurance.As a last resort, your child's doctor may prescribe medication for a short period of time to stop bed-wetting. Bedwetting can be a side effect of certain insomnia medications and drugs taken for psychiatric purposes like Thioridazine, Clozapine and Risperidone. Some common causes of bedwetting include: Urinary tract infection (UTI). Studies shows that 1 to 2 percent of adults wet the bed, though researchers think that statistic is underreported due to the embarrassing nature of the problem. Adrenergic agonists or alpha-blockers (medications for high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)) may relax the muscles of the bladder neck, which may cause stress urinary incontinence or urine leakage. Many treatments for enuresis have been effective. However, if lifestyle changes aren't successful or if your grade schooler is terrified about wetting the bed, he or she may be helped by additional treatments.If found, underlying causes of bed-wetting, such as constipation or sleep apnea, should be addressed before other treatment.Options for treating bed-wetting may include moisture alarms and medication.These small, battery-operated devices — available without a prescription at most pharmacies — connect to a moisture-sensitive pad on your child's pajamas or bedding.
Moisture alarms are effective for many children, carry a low risk of relapse or side effects, and may provide a better long-term solution than medication does.