Enuresis or bed-wetting

What is enuresis?

Enuresis is the medical term for bed-wetting or involuntary urination during sleep. The common condition often occurs in children aged 5 to 6 years.

What causes bed-wetting or enuresis?

Many things can affect the condition including genetic factors, difficulties waking up from sleep, slower development of the central nervous system, hormonal factors, urinary tract infections, abnormalities in the urethral vales in boys or in the ureter in girls or boys, abnormalities in the spinal cord or a small bladder.

How can enuresis be treated?

There are no cure for bed-wetting although medicines are available to help the bladder hold more urine or help the kidneys make less urine.  These medicines may have side effects.

Other lifestyle modifications are recommended such as limiting intake of fluid before bedtime and going to bathroom before going to sleep.

JD