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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Evaluating the Bedwetting Problem

By Gail Anderson-Metcalf

Evaluate how much of a problem bedwetting is in your family and how often it happens. Frequent accidents that causes many tears and embarrassment or even arguments in your household may need more aggressive treatment than a problem that occurs once in a while and results in only some extra laundry.

Different Types of Bedwetting Demand Different Approaches
Also, be sure to differentiate between primary and secondary bedwetting. A primary nocturnal problem is almost never caused by an underlying medical problem. A secondary nocturnal problem means that a child has had control of his or her bladder but has begun wetting the bed.
In these cases, it is especially important to have the child seen by a good pediatrician, as almost all cases of the secondary issue are caused by an underlying problem (psychological or physical) and so responds very well to treatment.

Make it Less Stressful
Once you have evaluated the bedwetting in your household, you can develop a plan of action. Since you will be learning many tips that you can apply to your plan in your research, your plan here is basically a contingency plan. On paper, write down what your child should do when he or she wets the bed.

Ideally, your child should contact you, and then you should take steps to clean up. Share the plan with your child so that when an accident happens, your child can put the plan into action rather than being ashamed and trying to get your attention.

There are also a few things you can do to make bedwetting less stressful. Putting special sheets on your child's bed, for example, can make clean-up much easier. Keeping extra sheets and blankets by your child's room can also make clean-up much faster, especially in a busy household. Even small things you can do to make bedwetting less stressful will allow you and your child to focus on resolving the problem rather than worry about clean up.

Reality Check
Consider whether there really is a problem. Although we often expect kids to grow up fast today, the fact is that occasional bedwetting up to age three is still considered "normal" by most experts - children at this age are still simply learning to do basic things like use the washroom and control their bladder. Even kids up to age five may have an occasional bed wetting "accident" and this should not be a cause for concern. Many experts consider children over five who wet the bed regularly to have nocturnal Enuresis. In many cases, this condition tends to run in families and can last well into teenage years.

Before you start worrying unduly about bedwetting, consider the age of your child. If your child is very young, it may simply take a few months or a year to resolve the issue. Many children have nighttime accidents until they are five or even older. If your child is older (six, seven, or older), consider whether anyone else in the family suffered from similar problems in childhood. Was there something that helped? Sometimes, just seeing the issue as a childhood ailment or a condition in the family that is always resolved eventually can help soothe the frazzled parent and the embarrassed child.

You need to consider the frequency of problems as well. A child who wets the bed after watching a scary movie or before a big day may be less worrisome than the older child who does not seem to be able to sleep through a dry night.

Gail Metcalf provides additional parenting information on her Babies, Toddlers and Parenting Information blog. Shop for babies and toddlers at the Online Baby Store with over 20 merchants featuring over 2,250 products. http://www.ExceptionalBaby.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Anderson-Metcalf

Monday, November 12, 2007

Five Initial Tips For Dealing With Bedwetting

By Gail Anderson-Metcalf

If bedwetting is a new problem in your household, you will need to start working on the issue in the right way. These are initial tips you will want to adopt right away in order to start dealing with bedwetting:

#1: Work on Sensitivity
One of the biggest impacts of bedwetting on your child is an emotional one, so you should work on making sure that your household is sensitive to your child's situation. No one at home should tease your child or make them feel terrible about their bedwetting. The more teased a child is about bedwetting, the more difficult it will be for the child to overcome the problem.
The older a child is, the more ashamed they may be of wetting the bed, and the more important it will be to stay level-headed and calm to prevent shaming the child. Shaming will only result in trauma and may even make bedwetting worse.

#2: Watch Your Own Sensitivity Levels
It is not just siblings and other children that need to be considered. Parents often inadvertently are insensitive to their child's bedwetting. They are frustrated by the laundry that must be done and are sometimes even angered by having so many sheets stained or even ruined by urine.
On a rushed morning, dealing with urine-soaked sheets before dashing off to work can be frustrating, but it is crucial not to lose your temper. Even if you manage to be calm most of the time, one outburst about bedwetting will linger in your child's mind and make them feel ashamed.

If you find that you have no time to deal with sheets and clean-up in the morning, strip the sheets and leave them for later. If you are angry by the cost of bed linens, consider buying less expensive sheets in bulk for a while to reduce costs for yourself. Keep rags and other clean up items (deodorizer and cleaner) in the child's room for fast cleaning.
Work on reducing your stress levels when it comes to bedwetting, and you are less likely to make an unfortunate comment from pure stress.

#3: Educate Yourself
You will want to share what you have learned with others in your household. If you have several children, you need to be aware that siblings will often tease a brother or sister who "still wets the bed." Letting these children know that Enuresis is a condition can help them be more sensitive towards their sibling while measures are taken to prevent bedwetting.

#4: Educate Your Child
For the child affected by Enuresis, being told the facts about bedwetting can be a big help. Children often hear misconceptions about bedwetting from other children. Myths such as "only babies wet the bed" can be hurtful to your child and can make him or her feel as though there is something "wrong" with them.
Often, explaining that Enuresis is an actual condition and talking about the remedies doctors have come up for it can help persuade your child that bedwetting is curable and a common problem. That way, your child can focus on resolving the problem rather than worry about the embarrassment they feel.

#5: Visit a Doctor
Since some bedwetting is caused by undiagnosed medical conditions such as diabetes or allergies, it makes sense to take your child to a doctor to be checked out. If there is a doctor in your area who is known for treating children with Enuresis, so much the better. In either case, ruling out medical problems can be a big relief. If a medical problem is causing your child to wet the bed, coping with the problem will also generally resolve the Enuresis.

Shop for babies and toddlers at the Online Baby Store with over 20 merchants featuring over 2,250 products. http://www.ExceptionalBaby.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Anderson-Metcalf

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Choosing The Best Bed Wetting Alarms – They Are Not All The Same

By Peter Crump

Bed wetting alarms are not all the same, even though they are all designed for the same purpose – a solution to bedwetting for a child or an adult. There are many different types of these alarms to choose from, which is why it is important for parents to choose the one that will be most effective for the child’s enuresis. Many times children have a problem with bed wetting because they sleep so soundly they don’t wake up in time to go to the bathroom. There many also be a medical reason for the bedwetting. Parents need to have the child checked by a doctor before they choose any solution and this includes bed wetting alarms.

There are three main types of bed wetting alarms on the market:
· Wired bedwetting alarms
· Bedwetting alarms that clip to the underpants
· Bedwetting alarm in a rubber pad

Each of these alarms has advantages and disadvantages. What may work for one child may not work for another. For this reason, parents do need to research the different enuresis alarms to choose the one they feel will be the most effective solutions for their child.

The wired bed wetting alarms are very unique in that they are really panty liners The remote sensor is placed in between the liner and the underpants. It uses a 9-V plug and a battery. As soon as the sensor detects the slightest bit of moisture on the absorbent liner, it send as signal to the alarm. The alarm, similar to an alarm clock, will continue to sound until the child or parents wakes and turns it off. Even though this is called a wired enuresis alarm, there are no wires attached to the sensor that the child could get entangled in during the night. The response to urine is instantaneous and the clock alarm can be placed far enough from the bed so that the child has to get up to turn it off. However, this type of bedwetting alarm is not suitable for use with boys because the liner for the underpants is very small and narrow.

The most common type of bed wetting alarms on the market today is the panty liner with sensors built in. The alarm is connected to the sensor through a clip on the pyjamas. There is a wire from the clip to the liner and it is also connected to a clock alarm. This is the cheapest model of bedwetting alarms on the market and it does have quite a few disadvantages. It has the same type of alarm system connected to a clock that will sound when moisture is detected. However, the wires can also be pulled loose from the sensor, which means that the child will not get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Since there are wires connected with these enuresis alarms, the child can also get tangled up in them if he/she moves around a lot during sleep. For some children, this type of alarm is not effective as a solution to bedwetting.

Bed wetting alarms that come with a rubber pad is wired but does not pose any problem with the wires getting tangled or pulled free. You lay this enuresis alarm over the mattress cover and then cover it with the bed sheet. It works in the same manner as the other types of bedwetting alarms by sounding when it detects moisture. There is no clip for the child’s pyjamas and the batteries are rechargeable, saving you expense in having to buy a lot of replacement batteries. It is harder to clean because you have to wash off the mat and the alarm will keep sounding until the wet bedclothes are replaced. However, it is the most effective of the bed wetting alarms.

Find out more about Bedwetting, visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Bedwetting Alarms and more, including Adult Bedwetting and Bedwetting Diapers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Adult Bed Wetting – What Is The Solution?

By Peter Crump

Adult bed wetting is a common problem as you can see from all the TV ads about bedwetting disposable diapers available for adults. The first thing for adults to do when they have a bed-wetting problem is to consult with a doctor to make sure that there is nothing medically wrong to cause this problem to develop. Bedwetting in the adult years can be a symptom of diabetes, kidney or bladder problems or something as simple as a urinary tract infection, for which there are antibiotics. Even though disposable diapers do help adults feel more comfortable, adult bed wetting does need to be checked out.

Allergies, cell anemia, and sleep disorders are also causes for adult bed wetting. Researchers dealing with this problem have also found psychological factors to be involved, such as stress and trauma. In some cases, age is the culprit as the muscles of the bladder start to lose their elasticity causing adult bed-wetting. Enuresis alarms work just as well for adults as they do for children and teenagers. These alarms wake you up out of your sleep at the first sign of moisture so that you do have time to get to the bathroom instead of wetting the bed.

There are medications that have proven effective in controlling adult bed wetting. One of these is DDAVP, which helps to reduce the amount of urine that the body makes at night. Adults who drink a lot of liquids may have to use the bathroom more at night and if they take medication for insomnia, then they might find it hard to wake up when they need to. This medication helps to treat the symptoms of adult bed-wetting, which means that you will not urinate as often during the night. However, this is not a cure for adult bedwetting. It is mainly a measure to control it. Once you stop taking the medication, bedwetting will start again.

You do not necessarily need to take DDAVP every day in order for it to control adult bed wetting. You can either take this as pill or a spray, but a cold or a stuffy nose is likely to interfere with the action of the medication taken in spray form. You do have to take the medication at night and it does have side effects, which some adults are unable to handle. The common side effects of this adult bedwetting medication include headache, nausea, sinus problems and nosebleeds. When you are taking this medication you are not allowed to drink any water after taking it.

For adults, Imipramine is an anti-depressant drug that has been found effective in treating adult bed wetting. Like DDAVP, this reduces the amount of urine the body produces during the night. However, most doctors do not like to prescribe this medication because of its many side effects. In fact prescribing medication for adult bedwetting is usually the last resort. Doctors prefer to try methods of behavior modification first and if the adult is comfortable, disposable diapers keep the bed sheets dry at night. Adult bedwetting is a problem that doctors are well used to dealing with, so there is no need for embarrassment when deciding to talk to a doctor about your problem.

Find out more about Bedwetting, visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Adult Bedwetting, and more, including Bedwetting Alarms and Bedwetting Diapers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sleep Enuresis: Causes and Treatments

By Jared Winston

Sleep Enuresis, more commonly known as Bedwetting, refers to the lack of ability to maintain urinary control during sleep. This recurrent involuntary urination is also called Nocturnal Enuresis, which is characterized by at least two occurrences per month in 3 to 6 years old infants and at least one occurrence per month for older children.

Though it is considered normal for children below 7 years old to have enuretic episodes, 5% of 10 year old and 3% of 12 year old children, and as many as 1-3% of 18-year-old teenagers may continue to experience this disorder.

Primary and Secondary Enuresis:
Primary Enuresis is involuntary urination that occurs from infancy with at least two episodes a week, and comprised of 70-90% of all cases. Secondary Enuresis, on the other hand, refers to a relapse after experiencing an extended period of dryness. Adults are more likely to suffer from the secondary type.

Causes of Sleep Enuresis:
Sleep Enuresis can be caused by many factors including hormonal, dietary, or emotional factors.
One of the most common causes of Sleep Enuresis is the inability to develop the antidiuretic hormone cycle in some people. In this cycle, which is typically developed by individuals by the age of 2 to 6, the pituitary gland releases a hormone at night that promotes water retention in the kidneys, thereby reducing urine output till sunrise. Failure to develop this hormone cycle naturally leads to Sleep Enuresis.

An overactive bladder can also cause Sleep Enuresis in many children. By nature, muscle spasms occur in the bladder during urine retention and removal. When these spasms become too active or uncontrollable, the bladder is incapable of holding the normal amount of urine, which eventually results in accidental urination during sleep.

Another common hereditary factor is failure to develop an awareness that enables a person to awaken before urinating on bed. This awareness is normally developed by children during the natural process of learning how to control the bladder while awake.
Besides these common causes, medical disorders such as diabetes, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea or epilepsy and psychiatric disorders may also cause individuals to develop Sleep Enuresis.

Treatments:
Simple behavior modifications can be very effective treatments for children with enuretic episodes. For example, intake of liquids and dietary bladder irritants such as citrus products should be discouraged before bedtime. Taking note of when the enuresis actually occurs, and waking and taking the child to toilet before that hour, can also be very helpful.

Psychological treatments such as encouragement of self-reliance, participation in management, inculcation of self-respect and responsibility are also recommended by many experts. Physical punishments and coercion, on the other hand, are considered to be the most counterproductive measures and should be avoided at all costs.

Using devices such as bedwetting alarms and moisture alarms, combined with bladder muscle exercises, dietary changes, retention control training etc can also be helpful remedies in treating Sleep Enuresis.

For some of the more severe cases that cannot be treated by behavior modification, alarm devices and other treatment methods, using medications such as Desmopressin, a synthetic substitute for the missing antidiuretic hormone discussed earlier, is found to be very effective. Desmopressins such as DDAVP, Stimate, and Minrin can easily be administered nasally or intravenously.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Learn more about enuresis and more importantly how to control this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition once and for all at Bedwetting Relief.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Friday, August 24, 2007

Adult Bedwetting – Exercise May Help The Problem

By Peter Leigh

Adult bedwetting is as embarrassing to adults as it is to teenagers. No one wants to admit that he/she has a bedwetting problem, but doctors see adults on a daily basis that suffer from enuresis. This is the name given to bed wetting in anyone over the age of five because by that time most children have learned to recognize the signs that they need to get out of bed to use the bathroom. Even at that age, they become very upset by bedwetting, so you can only imagine how anyone with an adult bedwetting problem must feel.

Whether adult bedwetting occurs suddenly or develops gradually, it is something that needs to be checked out by a doctor. It could be a symptom of a disease such as diabetes, a sleep disorder, an infection in the urinary system or even an allergy. Once the doctor runs the necessary tests, he/she may send you to a urologist as a precautionary measure. During this time, you can wear bedwetting diapers to keep dry during the night, especially while you are waiting for the medication to take effect. Adult bed wetting also responds well to enuresis alarms to wake you up in time to go to the bathroom.

Adult bedwetting is often the result of aging and the loss of muscle tone in the walls of the bladder. There are exercises you can do to reduce the occurrences of adult enuresis. These include doing such things as squeezing the bladder several times a day. This process helps to strengthen the bladder muscles because you pretend that you are trying to stop urinating. It also works during the day when you go to the bathroom so that you are actually stopping the flow. This is one method of exercise that adults suffering from nocturnal enuresis have found effective.

If your adult bedwetting occurs occasionally, you should start a diary recording the events surrounding the bed wetting episodes. This should include such things as how much you had to drink before you went to bed and what foods you ate. Drinking too much alcohol is often responsible for adult bed wetting because it puts you into a deep sleep. Since alcohol impairs brain function, the connection between the brain and the bladder is severed so bed wetting is more likely.

One factor to look at as a cause of adult bedwetting is the psychological factor. Stress and trauma can bring on bedwetting in an adult who did not even wet the bed as a child. This is where keeping a diary of events leading up to the adult enuresis episodes can help you determine what is causing them. Once you realize a pattern in stressful events and adult bedwetting, then you can take steps to avoid certain things that bring it on.

Find out more about Bedwetting, visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Adult Bedwetting and more, including Teenage Bedwetting and Bedwetting Alarms
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Dealing With Diurnal Enuresis

By Jared Winston

Diurnal enuresis is a type of incontinence that affects young children during their waking hours. The condition cannot be diagnosed unless the child is over five years old and is younger than sixteen. Diurnal enuresis is a very distressing condition for both the child and the parents.
There can be several reasons why a child develops diurnal enuresis. The first thing that needs to be medically established is whether the child has contracted a urinary infection. This involves the child providing a urine sample for testing. The doctor will also discuss family history, including toilet-training; bowel habits; and the regularity and nature of urinary stream.

As well as a urine infection, diurnal enuresis can also be caused by a brain hormone, known as antidiuretic hormone, not working properly. The presence of this hormone determines how much water can be held in the body. If the child has too little of this hormone being released into their body, their bladder may not be able to cope with the level of urine being stored.
Other things to consider if your child has developed diurnal enuresis is whether they have an overactive bladder - this is more common in girls and it can be a sign of infection. Quite often young children can become so caught up in an activity that they don't want to stop to go to the toilet. They then leave it too late and this can result in their bladder overflowing before they make it to the toilet.

Discovering with your doctor what it is causing your child's diurnal enuresis and working out how to help you and your child cope in this situation is crucial. It may be that a medical treatment isn't necessary and many children do grow out of the condition. But whatever the treatment your child needs you. There is an estimated 75% chance of a child with diurnal enuresis having a parent or sibling who has previously had the same condition. If it also happened to you, share the information with your child so that they know they are not the only one.

There are many things you can do to help your child with diurnal enuresis. The most important thing is reassurance. Tell your child, and remind them often, that it isn't their fault. Never allow their siblings to tease them. Recognise the warning signs: the child may start fidgeting or holding themselves in the perineal area. Encourage the child to go to the toilet and never punish them if they have an 'accident'.

It is important to know that whatever is causing your child to have diurnal enuresis, it is not the child's fault. The child isn't being lazy or naughty - it is a condition that they have no control over. While emotional stress does not cause diurnal enuresis, a result of having diurnal enuresis can lead to the child having emotional stress and losing self-esteem. Avoid this happening to your child.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Learn more about enuresis and more importantly how to control this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition once and for all at Bedwetting Relief.com =>http://www.bedwettingrelief.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Coping With Teen Bedwetting

By Jared Winston

Teen bedwetting is a common problem among many, even though those afflicted with the condition may feel isolated and alone. A rough count reveals that as much as one out of every one hundred teens occasionally wets the bed! This problem of not being able to control urination while sleeping is scientifically known as nocturnal enuresis, though in common terms it is dubbed involuntary urination or bedwetting.

Enuresis can again be categorized into two categories: primary enuresis and secondary enuresis. A person with primary nocturnal enuresis has had the habit of wetting the bed since he or she was a baby, whereas in cases of secondary enuresis the problem develops at least several months, or even several years, after the person learned to control his or her bladder as he or she grows from being a baby. In most cases teen bedwetting is a case of secondary enuresis rather than primary.

Next let's try to understand what causes teen bedwetting. Looking into the human anatomy it is known that the urinary bladder is a muscular vessel, or a holding container, for containing urine. As urine enters it expands and gets larger and then contracts and gets smaller to force the urine out.

As a person develops normal bladder control the nerves in the walls of the urinary bladder sends signals to the brain as and when the bladder becomes full. After receiving these signals the brain sends back signals to the bladder to hold the bladder from involuntarily emptying the urine until the person is ready to go to the bathroom. However in cases of people with nocturnal enuresis there lies a problem that causes them to urinate involuntarily at night. The exact cause of nocturnal enuresis or teen bedwetting is not known to doctors, however some facts have been discovered.

One such discovery reveals that hormonal problems do contribute towards nocturnal enuresis, or in the case of this article more specifically teen bedwetting. The hormone ADH makes a person's body generate less urine during the night. However, if the teen’s body does not develop enough ADH this control is not sufficient and hence the amount of urine developed is more and results in teen bedwetting via involuntary urination.

Some teens also have relatively smaller bladders that are not large enough to hold a large volume of urine, which often results in bedwetting as the amount of urine developed at night while the teen is sleeping is more than his or her bladder can hold handle.
The problem of teen bedwetting has also been traced down to genetics. Teens with problems of involuntary nocturnal enuresis often have a history of parents who had the same problem at similar ages. Certain genes can be identified that cause enuresis but the exact reason for teen bedwetting is still unidentified. Sleeping disorders or rather deep sleeping habits have also been identified as reasons for teen bedwetting.

Teen bedwetting can also be related to psychological problems. Family problems, shifting into new schools and social environments, or family tension can result in disturbed sleeping habits and patterns and produce the problem of teen bedwetting. Stress during teenage years can thus be strongly suspected as a cause of secondary enuresis.
Doctors may treat teen bedwetting differently depending upon the cause of it. In cases of illness the specific illness is treated. There also exist several behavioral approaches that are utilized for treatment. Primarily and most importantly, people with nocturnal enuresis are advised to prevent a swarming bladder by reducing the quantity of fluids they drink before going to bed. They are even advised to reduce the chances of wetting the bed by going to the toilet just before going to bed.

Overall it is a combined process of behavioral modifications, reducing mental tension, and in some cases incorporating a very mild medication that can help a person control teen bedwetting.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Nocturnal enuresis affects those both young and old, but the problem can be conquered. Receive effective bedwetting advice at Bedwetting Relief.com. http://www.bedwettingrelief.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Bedwetting - When to Worry

By Jared Winston

All the parenting handbooks tell you that most children start to stay dry through the night at about age three. Ask any pediatrician and he'll tell you that about that time, he suddenly starts hearing questions from worried parents about their children still wetting the bed at night. According to most pediatricians, though, it's not unusual for children to wet the bed long past that age. If your child is still wetting the bed at five, should you be worried? How about at eight? What if it's only once in a while? Here are some facts to help you decide if you should worry about your child’s bedwetting.

Fact: About 15% of children consistently wet the bed after the age of three.
Three sounds like the magic number, especially if your child is completely potty-trained during the day. All children develop at different rates, though, and it's not unusual for a child to still occasionally wet the bed as late as age seven or eight. About 15% of six year olds wet the bed. About 5% of ten year olds still wet the bed.

Fact: Bedwetting tends to run in families.
Chances are that if you or your spouse was a bedwetter, at least one of your children will be later to develop night-time bladder control. In addition, if your child is an especially sound sleeper, they may have trouble waking to their body's signals.

Fact: Bedwetting is more common in boys than in girls.
No one is quite sure why, though we do know that girls often reach physical milestones sooner than boys.

Fact: Even without treatment, even the most persistent bedwetting stops at puberty.
It's very rare that a child continues to wet the bed past puberty, even with no special treatment or precautions.

Fact: Most bedwetters do NOT have emotional problems.
Or at least... bedwetting is not often caused by emotional problems. Making your child ashamed of his inability to stay dry at night could cause problems, though.
When SHOULD you worry about bedwetting?
If your child has been dry at night for some time – several months or longer – and begins wetting the bed regularly again, look for anything upsetting his routine. A move to a new home, a change of teacher at school, or something that has upset him may be triggering the bedwetting problems. Don't, however, rule out the possibility of a physical cause. If your child suddenly starts wetting the bed again, your first step should be to check for a urinary tract infection – especially in a girl.

If the return to bedwetting is accompanied by a fever, complaints of belly pain or a change in toileting habits during the day, it’s a clear signal to call your doctor. Chances are very good that the cause is a urinary tract infection that can be taken care of with a course of antibiotics.
If your child is especially bothered by his bedwetting, offer him all the emotional support that you can to prevent it from becoming an emotional problem.

Tips for Helping a Child Stay Dry At Night
1. Don't make a big deal about bedwetting. Change the sheets without comment, reassure your child that everyone outgrows it eventually, and tuck him back into bed.
2. Do limit drinks after dinner. There's no need to make a big fuss about it. Just limit drinks in the two hours or so before bedtime.
3. Make sure that your child goes potty before bed. It's an easy thing to forget in the rush of getting everyone tucked in, but simply making a trip to the bathroom part of the bedtime routine may be enough to eliminate bedwetting.
4. Wake your child to use the bathroom at YOUR bedtime. Most children won't even totally wake up if you do, but by interrupting sleep to make a trip to the bathroom you can help establish a pattern of waking to use the toilet.
5. Make life easy on yourself. While putting your child in diapers for bed is ignominious, these days there's a wide range of ‘nighttime undies' that are far less embarrassing to wear. You'll resent the whole process a lot less if you don't have to wash bedding every single day.
6. It should go without saying but – don't tease or make fun of the child to shame them out of it. By the same token, don't allow your other children to make fun of him for his physical inability to control his bladder at night.
7. Most importantly, don't stress over it. The more importance YOU place on your child's bedwetting, the more likely it is that it will become a source of emotional turmoil for your child.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Enuresis affects those both young and old, but the problem can be conquered. Receive effective bedwetting advice and enuresis tips at Bedwetting Relief.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Friday, August 10, 2007

Bedwetting: Not a Shame

By Jared Winston

Bedwetting (Enuresis) is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep and is a very common problem among children. At least one out of ten kids below the age of 6-years has this problem, but the good news is the ratio of kids' bedwetting goes down as they grow older. Only one out 20 is affected up to the age of 10, though there are infrequent cases of bedwetting by youths as old as 18. Only 1% of the children carry this problem to the age of 18.

Most bedwetting children possess a small bladder that cannot hold all the urine produced during the night and/or an inherited deficiency. In addition, some kids and in rarer cases teens are deep sleepers who don't awaken to the signal of a full bladder. Compounding the above problems is the fact that often the dream state relaxes the pubic muscles, which eventually leading to bedwetting.

Bedwetting can be a result of deep sleeping patterns, sleep apnea or failure of the body to produce a hormone which stimulates re-absorption of water from urine to be induced back into blood stream.
There are many other factors resulting in bedwetting, including medical problems, emotional and family problems and immature bladders. These problems are usually ridden of just by the passing of time.

To overcome the psychological effects of bed wetting, parents and children need to realize that bedwetting is not something to feel guilty about. It is common phenomenon among all children. The habit of bedwetting creates uneasy situations for parents, which all too often eventually leads to punishing children when they wet the bed. This makes the child feel guiltier, more ashamed and more embarrassed, and may even retard his growth.

Children have to realize that in many ways it up to them to control their bladder and to take the ultimate responsibility for stopping bedwetting. We must assure children experience longer hours of sleep, because fewer hours will generally cause them to sleep too deeply to overcome the shortage in length. During deep sleep the urge to use the bathroom does not wake them up.
Reducing the intake of fluids will also help by reducing the urine production Emptying the bladder at bedtime, waking up the kid every night and taking them to toilet etc. will help keep him or her dry. Alarms can be used to wake up when you need to urinate during the night. A positive feedback and a "good boy" pat for every dry night will boost the moral of the kid, which will help them to get rid of bedwetting.

Some psychologists provide a intriguing method to overcome bedwetting. According to them, when the urge to urinate arrives during the daytime hours, have the child pretend to sleep rather than immediately race to the bathroom. After feigning sleep for some time, "wake him up" from the pretend sleep so he can go urinate. This will help to develop the same habit during the nights too.

Medicines can also be used to avoid bedwetting. Drugs are sometimes used to reduce urine production at night, and some medicines are purported to help increase bladder capacity. The usage of medicines in any way is generally not advisable since excessive usage may have side effects. It may also occur that the stoppage of medicine intake may cause the situation to revert.
Hypnosis is another method used to overcome bedwetting. It teaches the unconscious mind to stop bedwetting and can greatly accelerate the process. Even while asleep, the unconscious mind is said to still be 'awake' and due to this fact your unconscious mind can learn to stop bedwetting by controlling the muscles that stop urine leaving the bladder.

When all is said and done, parents should understand that bedwetting is a common thing among all children and not something to be ashamed of.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Enuresis does not have to rule you or a loved one's life. Learn the various causes of bedwetting as well as solutions to combat the condition at Bedwetting Relief.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

An Adult Bedwetting Message Board – Find Out How Others Are Coping

By Peter Crump

An adult bedwetting message board and chat line is an easy way for adults coping with enuresis to get helpful ideas from others in the same situation. There are many sites on the Internet that deal specifically with adult bed wetting issues. These sites often have medical doctors who reply to patients’ questions and offer helpful advice. Here adults can read the messages from other males and females and may get the answers they need without having to send any message. An adult bedwetting message board is anonymous, so none of your friends will know about your problem.

You can simply do an online search for “Adult Bedwetting Message” and the results will show you many message boards set up for this purpose. Here you will find messages about all kinds of bedwetting issues and read the advice that the doctors and other adults offer. Maybe one or more of the experiences may be identical or similar to your situation. This will not only help you find a solution, but will also give you relief in knowing that there are other adults with bed wetting problems.

There are also different products you can use to keep you dry at night, such as disposable bedwetting diapers and liners, but you need to buy the ones that are right for you. For example, adult male bedwetting requires different products than for female bedwetting simply because of the differences in the male and female bodies. An adult bed wetting message board is also a way of finding out about the different products and how most adults feel about using them. When you want to post a message on an adult bedwetting message board, you will probably have to register. However, you can feel secure in knowing that your information will never be made public.

The Urology Forum is a good example of an adult bedwetting message board that is monitored by a doctor. Using an adult bed wetting message board should never take the place of consulting with a doctor about your bed wetting problem. Whether it is something that occurred all of a sudden or developed over time, it could be symptomatic of a more serious problem and you need to have the necessary medical tests to get the proper treatment. It could also be a symptom of a condition that is easy to treat and you could be suffering through bed wetting episodes needlessly. Adult male bedwetting is often a source of embarrassment to men and they have a hard time dealing with it. It usually takes a lot for them to speak to a doctor about bedwetting and for these people a message board can be really helpful.

An adult bedwetting message board is not just about bedwetting. Here you can find answers to questions about all kinds of bladder and kidney related problems. Adult male bedwetting, painful urination and other topics are open for discussion. The answer you want may be waiting for the click of the mouse when you start using an adult bedwetting message board. You might also be able to help others and reassure them that they are not alone.

To find out more about Bedwetting visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Adult Bedwetting and more, including Teenage Bedwetting, Bedwetting Alarms and Bedwetting Diapers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Bedwetting And Food That Can Trigger It

By Ben Adams

Adults and children alike burdened by bedwetting problems often find themselves in discomforting, upsetting and embarrassing situations. Bedwetting commonly affects children five years old and below, but children as old as 15 years old can have this problem. Adults can be affected by bedwetting too.

When properly handled, bedwetting can be treated without future incident. There is no single cause leading to bedwetting, but there are many different factors that contribute to the act, including excessive drinking right before bedtime or a bladder infection.

Caffeine in Chocolate
Excessive urination can be caused by food high with caffeine, and in the case of most of the children, that is found in chocolate. Whether through hot cocoa or a bedtime treat, the caffeine found in chocolate stimulates the child's body, especially if the child already suffers from a sensitive bladder.

Soda & Other Drinks
There's just something about those bubbles that gets the body going and if you don't have a fully developed bladder to handle the carbonation, your child may be in for unpleasant results. This is also true with other drinks, such as Gatorade, which literally seems to run right through drinkers of all ages. Sometimes, doctors will suggest that you even cut down the amount of water that a child drinks throughout the day. While adults are encouraged to consume 64 ounces on a daily basis, your child really only needs about 50% of that.

Oranges and Grapefruits
There is a high percentage of water in citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits. Moreover, their high acid levels have been proved to strongly affect sensitive bladders, resulting in the need to urinate in the middle of the night. Children whose bladders are not used to such nocturnal activities end up with bedwetting if they consume too much citric fruits.

Spicy Foods
Had a late dinner and your child really loves the extra salsa on their taco? The ingredients within the salsa, as well as in other spicy foods may contribute to bedwetting. Spicy foods have been known to speed up the elimination processes within the body.

Food Allergens
Some kinds of foods are known for their ability to create spasms in the bladder, which might lead to bedwetting. Thus, the reason behind your child's problem might be an allergic reaction to a food he may have eaten right before sleeping. Corn, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat and dairy products are some of the food products that might trigger bedwetting. Also avoid giving your child foods that are high in preservatives, colors and sweeteners right before bedtime.

What to Do
When it becomes hard to keep your child away from certain foods that may trigger their bedwetting, you might want to consider using a variety of behavioral techniques to encourage a better response. For children over the age of seven, a bedwetting alarm may be used. It has been known to produce positive results in a relatively high percentage of children. In younger kids, a reward system for keeping the bed dry may work, which encourages your child to avoid the foods that may trigger bedwetting. As the child gets older, when they are told to change their own wet bed sheets, they might try extra hard to avoid this chore by any means necessary.

Discover the very latest tricks, tips and resources, to help you solve and overcome the problem of your child's bed wetting.
For up to date information: Bedwetting Tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Adams

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

The Root Causes of Adult Enuresis

By Jared Winston

Adult enuresis (involuntary passing of urine during the night) affects many millions of people throughout the developed world. There are various different conditions that can lead to the onset of adult enuresis, but the most common are either a physical trauma (such as a road accident or accident at work), or a deep sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. This article outlines the causes of adult enuresis as well as examining some of the most common treatment methods.
Adult enuresis can be a very embarrassing and discomforting experience, and often leads to feelings of shame or loss of control in the person experiencing it. Sufferers of adult enuresis may try to hide their symptoms, and this can have an effect on their emotional state and their ability to form a lasting relationship, as they try to conceal their symptoms and may not, for example, wish to share a bed with another adult.

Physical shocks or traumas that have led to the onset of adult enuresis are often the most easily treatable, as the doctors or medical staff treating the other symptoms of the trauma are often able to address the physical cause. Sleep disorder related adult enuresis is harder to treat, and in some cases may it may even be incurable.

Sleep disorder related adult enuresis may be linked to other symptoms such as night terrors and sweats, or sleep walking. The root cause of the issue is that the adult experiencing the bed wetting is sleeping so deeply that they are unable to control the muscle that would normally prevent them from passing urine during the night, and do not respond to the normal mental triggers that wake most adults when their bladder is full during the night.

However, recognition of the fact that adult enuresis is linked to a sleep disorder and is not the result of emotional or mental problems can often provide a ray of hope for sufferers. The fact that adult enuresis has a tangible cause and can thus be addressed and treated means they are not doomed to suffer in silence.

For friends of relatives of people suffering from adult enuresis, the first thing to do is to encourage them to talk about their problem. Feelings of shame or dirtiness can prevent sufferers seeking medical help from their doctor or professional institutions such as sleep disorder clinics. Their problems must be treated sensitively but the sufferer should be gently persuaded that positive action can only come from speaking about their problems.

The first stage of medical treatment for adult enuresis is normally an assessment of the sufferers' physical and mental condition, including the possibility that they may have an inherited sleep disorder. This means that the treatment centre will conduct a physical exam as well as asking questions about any changes in the sufferers' lifestyle and their family history.

This assessment allows an individual treatment process to be tailored to the needs of the individual. Treatment can include medication, a program to alter the sufferer's sleep pattern, and exercises to strengthen the bladder control muscles. This exercise is necessary as the adult enuresis can lead to weakening of the bladder muscles due to the fact that they are not used nightly as they are in adults not experiencing the symptoms of enuresis.

Adult enuresis can be a debilitating condition as feelings of shame and interrupted or irregular sleep cycles can affect the sufferers' emotional state. However, it does not need to be a permanent condition and the friends and family of people suffering the condition should ensure they treat them with sensitivity and give them the support they need.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2005. All Rights Reserved.
Learn more about nocturnal enuresis and more importantly how to control this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition once and for all at Bedwetting Relief.com. http://www.bedwettingrelief.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Monday, July 30, 2007

Coping with Bedwetting - The Morning Pee Report

By Susan Lewis

Knocking on your parents’ bedroom door to tell them you wet the bed.
Let’s see. That ranks about equal with spring cleaning, studying for a big history test, and getting shots – all in the same day! There are a few things that will make it easier for your little one. One tactic you may not have considered is getting a system for the morning pee report (feel free to rename it!).

It’s a pretty sure bet that your child will feel less embarrassed if there’s a definite time and place to talk to you privately (and calmly). Make sure to set aside some a regular time each morning to be available to your child.

Now, this time shouldn’t be in front of brothers and sisters – which can be a challenge if you’ve got a large brood. It’s crucial that this conversation is done privately. Brothers and sisters are notorious teasers not always known for their compassion or kindness. But even if their only sibling is a sweet 18-year-old sister who would never even think of teasing, your child still doesn’t want to announce:
“I wet the bed. Somebody, please pass the toast,”
while you’re eating breakfast.

One more part of this idea is to have a system in place where your child can check in with you each morning either way – dry or wet. An easy way to do this is to create a chart where the two of you mark wet and dry nights. That way your child doesn’t have to approach you only with bad news about an accident. You could easily add this to your morning routine, and it’ll feel a whole lot less like the dreaded confessional booth. Your morning time together could become a positive time of encouragement and support – transforming a time they’d rather avoid into a positive thing instead.

Children really do take comfort in routines. With a system in place, your child won’t feel like the “I wet the bed” report is a disruption to everyone’s morning ritual.
Along with this routine, you should teach your child how to help with the laundry, when there’s been an accident. Even little kids can strip off wet sheets and take them to the washing machine. They could spray the sheets with some enzyme cleaner, and get out some clean sheets. Of course, they’ll need your help getting the new sheets on the bed (don’t we all?!), but that’ll come along eventually. They can also wash themselves – and need to learn to do this to keep their skin healthy and to begin a practice of good hygiene.

Just like anything else that’s unpleasant or complex, if you can break it down into its parts and make it a standard operating procedure, you can get through it faster than you’d imagine. No better time than the present to build these good habits – taking care of things that are less fun first, being honest, taking personal responsibility for your body. These are characteristics that will serve your child (and you, for that matter!) well in life.

Susan Lewis is the owner of http://www.bedwettinghelpformoms.com – a site aimed at encouraging, supporting, and educating parents of bedwetters. Request your copy of the free report “Got a Bedwetter? Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid.” Ask your bedwetting questions by visitng To Pee Or Not To Pee on wordpress.com.

If you’d like to post this article on your Web site or use them in your newsletter, you have my permission, as long as the copyright and the resource links stay intact. Feel free to contact me at info@bedwettinghelpformoms.com if you have any requests or questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Lewis

Monday, July 9, 2007

Popular Bed Wetting Solutions You Can Use

By Jared Winston

A huge number of children are affected by nocturnal enuresis, or sleep wetting, as it is often called. Although there is no specific treatment for this condition, parents can still find some good bed wetting solutions that work. This sort of problem is most common with children under the age of five – any extreme measures against it are simply not justified. However, sleep wetting is a problem and it may become an annoying issue to deal with, both for parents and for the child. While children under five do not have obvious psychological issues related to this phenomenon, after a certain age they become conscious about it. This is when finding appropriate bed wetting solutions becomes important for the child’s social development.

How to diminish the negative effects of bed-wetting
While this problem is natural for small children, parents can still take a few steps and reduce the negative effects associated to it. Parents can start by investing some time in preventing the problem from taking place. As part of the most commonly used bed wetting solutions, parents can control the levels of liquid their child drinks in the evening and before going to sleep. Diuretic drinks are those that fall in the following categories: caffeine containing, carbonated and acidic. Stopping your child from consuming them at night is an excellent bed wetting solution. It also helps if the parent trains the child to go to the toilet right before going to sleep. It is important that a pattern is developed in this case and the child will learn to urinate at a specific hour in the evening. This method, combined with low liquid quantities consumed in the evening, has some of the best results in reducing bed wetting at night.

Bed wetting solutions - diapers
Although the actual urinating process can’t be stopped, its effects may be reduced if the child wears a diaper. The diaper eliminates all the problems that affect the parents: having to change bed sheets every morning and it also helps the child sleep better and wake up in a dry bed. Older children might be against wearing a diaper, as they feel they are too old for that, so a simple change of term – from “diaper” to “night protection” is preferable. As an extra protection method, parents should also have protective plastic sheets because diapers are not 100% leak absorbents.

The radical approach to bed wetting – medications
Using medication to reduce nigh time urination is one of the most radical bed wetting solutions and, in most cases, the most effective as well. Treatments with medication such as anticholinergics, desmopressin or imipramine are often used to solve bed wetting problems. While such drugs have high success rates, parents should also remember that they are chemical and hormonal substances, and long-term usage may lead to unwanted side effects. As far as bed wetting medication is concerned, the opinions are varied, many parents trying to avoid this solution at all costs and teach the child to deal with the problem on their own.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Learn more about nocturnal enuresis and more importantly how to control this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition once and for all at Bedwetting Relief.com. http://www.bedwettingrelief.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Winston

Monday, July 2, 2007

When Your Baby Doesn't Outgrow Bed-Wetting

By Kelly Kane

Bed wetting may not seem as serious as juvenile diabetes or a heart defect. But to Sam's family, the sleep disorder that caused his enuresis proved almost as dangerous as any life threatening-disease.

The pediatrician said Sam would outgrow his bed wetting. But at six years old, Sam was still waking up in the morning with wet sheets and a profound humiliation that even his loving parents could not displace. Forget about the inconvenience and extra laundry. That was nothing compared to Sam’s diminishing self-esteem and his parents’ guilt about “letting him down.” Shouldn’t they as adults be able to solve this seemingly simple problem? Why wasn’t their love enough? Then one night, they realized that their inability to solve his bed-wetting was putting Sam in the gravest of physical danger.

On a trip to Colorado, the family stayed in a second story motel room. In the middle of the night, Sam was found outside on the balcony. Alone. Like so many other nights he had wet the bed. But this time, he was more than a bedwetter. He was a sleepwalker. Terrified about what could have happened, his parents decided that the ineffective “bedwetting treatments,” drugs, psychiatrists and waiting for Sam to outgrow bedwetting—were just not good enough!

They wanted to believe the doctor who assured them that Sam would outgrow enuresis. But what if he got hurt in the meantime? As the bed-wetting (and now sleepwalking) continued, Sam withdrew into himself at school and became more and more detached from his loving family. He was inconsolable.

Conducting one desperate Internet search after another, Sam’s parents finally found the Enuresis Treatment Center (www.nobedwetting.com). They “met” with Barbara Moore -- the center’s director. By phone, Barbara helped the family understand that Sam’s problem was a sleep disorder, not about his bladder or anything they were doing wrong. Treatment began immediately. Sam’s personal counselor – Maryanne – set up appointments through email and phone calls and worked with the family every step of the way, bringing hope and results into their lives. Because they know at the Enuresis Treatment Center that each bedwetter is unique, a tailored program was developed just for Sam. It included bio-feedback and NO medication. Together with counseling, this protocol ended his vicious cycle of bedwetting and sleepwalking. In three months, both bedwetting and sleepwalking significantly decreased. In five months, Sam was no longer a bedwetter. He uttered three words his parents longed to hear: “I feel normal.” Now Sam has the potential to experience all the happiness and success his parents have wished for him.

Thanks to the Enuresis Treatment Center www.nobedwetting.com
To stop bedwetting for someone you love contact www.nobedwetting.com
From the US, call 1-800-379-2331.
Outside the US, call 1-248-785-1199
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Kane

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Bedwetting And Food That Can Trigger It

By Ben Adams

Adults and children alike burdened by bedwetting problems often find themselves in discomforting, upsetting and embarrassing situations. Bedwetting commonly affects children five years old and below, but children as old as 15 years old can have this problem. Adults can be affected by bedwetting too.

When properly handled, bedwetting can be treated without future incident. There is no single cause leading to bedwetting, but there are many different factors that contribute to the act, including excessive drinking right before bedtime or a bladder infection.

Caffeine in Chocolate
Excessive urination can be caused by food high with caffeine, and in the case of most of the children, that is found in chocolate. Whether through hot cocoa or a bedtime treat, the caffeine found in chocolate stimulates the child's body, especially if the child already suffers from a sensitive bladder.

Soda & Other Drinks
There's just something about those bubbles that gets the body going and if you don't have a fully developed bladder to handle the carbonation, your child may be in for unpleasant results. This is also true with other drinks, such as Gatorade, which literally seems to run right through drinkers of all ages. Sometimes, doctors will suggest that you even cut down the amount of water that a child drinks throughout the day. While adults are encouraged to consume 64 ounces on a daily basis, your child really only needs about 50% of that.

Oranges and Grapefruits
There is a high percentage of water in citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits. Moreover, their high acid levels have been proved to strongly affect sensitive bladders, resulting in the need to urinate in the middle of the night. Children whose bladders are not used to such nocturnal activities end up with bedwetting if they consume too much citric fruits.

Spicy Foods
Had a late dinner and your child really loves the extra salsa on their taco? The ingredients within the salsa, as well as in other spicy foods may contribute to bedwetting. Spicy foods have been known to speed up the elimination processes within the body.

Food Allergens
Some kinds of foods are known for their ability to create spasms in the bladder, which might lead to bedwetting. Thus, the reason behind your child's problem might be an allergic reaction to a food he may have eaten right before sleeping. Corn, peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat and dairy products are some of the food products that might trigger bedwetting. Also avoid giving your child foods that are high in preservatives, colors and sweeteners right before bedtime.

What to Do
When it becomes hard to keep your child away from certain foods that may trigger their bedwetting, you might want to consider using a variety of behavioral techniques to encourage a better response. For children over the age of seven, a bedwetting alarm may be used. It has been known to produce positive results in a relatively high percentage of children. In younger kids, a reward system for keeping the bed dry may work, which encourages your child to avoid the foods that may trigger bedwetting. As the child gets older, when they are told to change their own wet bed sheets, they might try extra hard to avoid this chore by any means necessary.

Discover the very latest tricks, tips and resources, to help you solve and overcome the problem of your child's bed wetting.
For up to date information: Bedwetting Tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Adams

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Using Bedwetting Alarms As A Solution - Tips To Help Them Work


Bedwetting alarms are an effective solution to bedwetting because they involve behavior modification techniques. These devices are designed to sound an alarm at the first sign of moisture in the bed. The idea is to wake the child so that he/ she will have time to go to the bathroom and in so doing avoid a bed wetting accident. They are effective solutions for nocturnal enuresis because after using them continuously for two or three months, the child will learn to wake up when he/she needs to go to the bathroom. Bedwetting alarms are an effective alternative to medications, but they will need to be used with other methods of keeping the bed dry, such as liners and absorbent diapers.

There are many types of enuresis alarms available. Parents will want to look at all the different models of bed wetting alarms to find one that will prove effective in solving the bed wetting problem. Bedwetting alarms are designed to suit the age of the child as well as the gender. For example, the alarms that use small liners for underpants with a sensor in between the liner and the underwear may not be suitable for older boys because of the small size of the liner. Parents also have to test the sound of the alarm to make sure that it will wake children who are deep sleepers.

Some of the newer bedwetting alarms on the market come in bright colors that will be delightful for young children. The alarm is clipped to the nightclothes, close to the shoulder and is so lightweight that the child won’t even notice it. Even when the batteries are in place, this enuresis alarm weighs less than one ounce. However, this bed wetting alarm is connected to the sensor by means of a wire. Even though it is designed so that the child won’t get tangled in the wire during the night, it is relatively easy to disconnect the wire. Then the bed wetting alarm will not prove to be of any use.

You can get bedwetting alarms that are really effective for sound sleepers. These enuresis alarms have both sound and vibration to make sure that the child does wake up. The bed wetting alarm has a selector that lets you choose just sound or vibration or you can use both. This lets you experiment with the alarm to find the one that will wake the child the easiest, especially if the alarm is loud and wakes another child sleeping in the same room. The settings on this alarm also have flashing lights. Although it is a little larger, it is not heavy and with the batteries, it weighs about two ounces.

According to statistics, bedwetting alarms completely solve the problem of a child wetting the bed in about two or three months. This is because the child gets used to waking at a certain time and after continuous use, his/her sleeping behavior changes and he/she learns to recognize the signs of having to go to the bathroom. You can also buy alarms built right into a pad that you place on the mattress or the underwear that includes bedwetting alarms.

Find out more about Bedwetting, visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Bedwetting Alarms and more, including Adult Bedwetting and Bedwetting Diapers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Friday, June 22, 2007

A Bedwetting Teen Back In Diapers – Could Be A Serious Medical Problem

By Peter Crump
A bedwetting teen back in diapers is a stressful situation both for the teen and the parents. Even if you are concerned, you should never let your fears transfer to the child. However, you should try to be as sensitive as possible because any teen that has to wear diapers for a bedwetting problem does not feel very good about the situation. He/She knows there is a problem and the stress of worrying about the possibility of bedwetting could actually make the situation worse. When you have a bedwetting teen back in diapers, you need to look very carefully at the diet, the amount of liquids consumed, any stressful triggers and any medication that he/she might be taking.

One thing that you should do with a bedwetting teen back in diapers is to take the teen for a full check up by the doctor. This will help to rule out any medical problems, which could be causing the bedwetting, especially if this is something new that has developed. Once the doctor has done necessary tests to rule out diabetes, problems with the excretory system, then he/she will help you look for solutions to help the bed wetting teen back in diapers. While disposable diapers and pull ups do help the teen in situations where others might find out about the bedwetting, bedwetting diapers are not a cure for the problem.

A bed wetting teen back in diapers will probably try to hide that fact that he/she is wetting the bed. This is easy to do by changing the bed early each morning while you may be wondering where all the laundry is coming from. If you try to be sensitive, you can have a stack of bed sheets handy so the young person can do this without being conspicuous to others in the house. You do have to be careful you don’t let the teen know that you are worried because a bedwetting teen back in diapers can pick up these vibes quite easily. Point out that it is not his/her fault, but that you need to consult with a doctor just to make sure there is nothing wrong.

With bedwetting teens in diapers, if you make cleaning up a form of punishment, this will make the teen more uncomfortable. He/She will dread waking up in the morning just in case they find that the bed is wet. If you discuss the problem and discuss possible solutions along with bedwetting diapers, chances are the teen will be very receptive to various bedwetting solutions. Behavior modification may be one method you can use with the many models of bed wetting alarms that are on the market. These will help a bedwetting teen back in diapers to wake up at the first sign of moisture so that he/she can get to the bathroom in time.

There are also medications to help a bedwetting teen back in diapers. One of these is DDAVP, a medication that works by reducing the amount of urine that the body produces during the night. According to the research results of this medication, bed wetting teens back in diapers relish the thought of something to help ensure they do not wet the bed. They may use bedwetting diapers when they first start taking this medication because they are not sure if it will work or not. However, a bedwetting teen back in diapers usually has low levels of the hormone that regulates the amount of urine their bodies produce and the DDAVP helps to bring this into the normal range.

To find out more about Bedwetting visit Peter's Website Bedwetting Answers and find out about Teenage Bedwetting and more, including Adult Bedwetting, Bedwetting Alarms and Bedwetting Diapers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Bedwetting – Causes and Cures

By Lucy Bartlett

Every night millions of families face the issue of bedwetting. Mostly children under the age of six suffer from this problem and sometimes it lasts right into their teenage years. Medical practitioners are not very sure about the cause and how this problem suddenly stops. Most children normally grow out of it naturally and without any medication. It is not usually a sign of any emotional or medical issues.

There are two types of bedwetting, namely primary enuresis and secondary enuresis. In the primary bedwetting the child is rarely dry during night and continues to wet the bed at least twice a week for a year. As the child grows up and with good parental guidance most of the children stop the habit. Secondary enuresis is when the children start wetting the bed after a temporary respite of a year. Sometimes this continues until the affected child reaches their teens. Doctors consider hereditary traits as one of the causes for primary and secondary enuresis.

Another factor is the non development of a hormone cycle which consists of a tiny burst of antidiuretic hormone which should occur around sunset to reduce urinary output from the kidney through the night to prevent the bladder getting full. This development is not present at the time of birth and children normally develop this cycle when they reach two years of age. In some children this development occurs late. In some cases this hormone cycle never develops at all leading to frequent bedwetting. Find more info at www.bedwettingresourceonline.info
Diaper usage leading to a very comfortable and dry feeling also makes the child unable to learn how to control the bladder movement while asleep.

Families and the affected children can become very stressed due to this problem. Guilt and embarrassment causes anxiety among the affected children when they have to spend nights outside their family circle or when they have to attend camps. By reassuring the child that this habit can be cured easily and lending emotional support will be very helpful to the child to overcome this problem.

By reminding the child to use the bathroom one last time prior to their bedtime will be a good practice. Waking the child during their deep sleep is not a big help at all to overcome this problem, although it may provide dry nights as a temporary solution.
In some rare cases, if abrupt bedwetting is combined with other symptoms may indicate a medical condition. It is better to consult the doctor immediately who will check for signs of constipation, bladder trouble, infected urinary tract or stress.

Bedwetting alarms can help cure the problem because of the noise it makes immediately after the first drop of moisture is sensed by the built-in pad. Upon hearing the alarm, the child awakes and goes to the toilet to clear the bladder. Alternative medicine such as Homeopathy claims that some formulas developed by them can help the child to attain good bladder control.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit Enuresis or Enuresis Alarms
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bartlett

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Bedwetting Can Be Treated

Bedwetting Can Be Treated

When I was a resident in training, researchers were actively trying to find a cause and cure for bedwetting. They thought that bedwetting was caused by having a small bladder and they thought that stretching the bladder would cure bedwetting. So they fed children diuretics that caused them to produce copious amounts of urine and asked them to sit in chairs and hold the urine. Needless to say the treatment didn't work, the children were miserable and today, more than 40 years later, a study from Denmark shows that bed wetting is not caused by having a small bladder. This confirms several studies showing that wetting the bed is usually caused by lack of antidiuretic hormone that is produced by the brain at night to shut down the kidneys and that this condition in young children can often be cured by taking a nasal spray or pill, called desmopressin, that shuts down the kidneys at night.

Desmopressin can also treat many men who urinate frequently at night, and do not have a prostate infection or cancer. Lack of antidiuretic hormone is genetic because fathers and mothers have children who also are bed wetters.
Bedwetting is common up to the age of eight, with most bed wetters growing up to become normal healthy adults. All children who wet the bed after age five should be evaluated by their pediatricians. They should have their urines checked for infection and perhaps a kidney x-ray to see if there is any abnormality in their urinary system. Most of the time, no cause is found. Bed wetters do not have more emotional or behavioral problems.

During the day, your kidneys are supposed to produce urine, but at night, your brain should produce an antidiuretic hormone called ADH, to shut down your kidneys. The brains of many bed wetters don't produce enough antidiuretic hormone at night, which causes their bladders to fill. When it happens to adults, they usually wake up and go to the bathroom, but bed wetters sleep through the night and wet the bed. For the last five years, doctors have treated bedwetting with a special nasal spray containing an antidiuretic hormone called desmopressin, but many children continue to wet their beds. Several studies show that taking a new 400 microgram desmopressin pill at bedtime and restricting fluids helps reduce bedwetting by almost 50 percent. Check with your doctor.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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