Q: What treatment options are available for nighttime bedwetting?
A: Childhood bedwetting is more common than most people think. It is more prevalent in boys than girls – approximately 9% of boys and 6% of girls still wet the bed at age 7. Some even continue into the preteen and early teen years. There are many causes of bedwetting, the most common being that the child's brain just hasn't learned to respond to the signal that their bladder is full. It is important to see a physician to properly diagnose the cause of bedwetting as there are many. Most treatment courses involve behavioral modification, which includes positive reinforcement (rewarding the child for dry nights), having the child use the restroom at regular intervals, and reducing fluid intake a few hours before bedtime. Bedwetting alarms can often be effective and are available without a prescription. They are worn by the child and wakes them up when they start to urinate so they can use the bathroom instead. This technique may not work right away, but can be effective over a period of a few months. Lastly, when all else fails, prescription drugs can help. DDAVP, also known as desmopressin, is a medication which helps to decrease the amount of urine produced at night. Sometimes certain antidepressants, such as imipramine, are used but can have bad side effects in children. Because each family's situation is different, it's extremely important to meet with your physician to determine the cause and best course of action to treat bedwetting.
Thanks to RightHealth / DailyDose
