It is a common notion among the parents whose children suffer from this condition that the restriction of water can control the disorder which can have quite disastrous results. It has to be noted that most of the studies done till date on night time incontinence have shown that adequate hydration therapy is very much important for its treatment. When the child is put on fluid restriction therapy, they follow the reverse psychology of taking fewer fluids during daytime and suddenly taking high amount of fluids during the evening or night time which neither serves the purpose nor is helpful for the condition. It can also lead to detrimental effects on the body like dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, etc. which can be more harmful than beneficial.
What To Eat When You Have Night Time Incontinence?
Adequate hydration therapy is necessary to maintain the urine flow rate and voiding activity precisely. Bladder training exercises for developing the continence with a high volume of fluid intake and non-voiding of urine should not be followed because these are not helpful rather are harmful.
Appropriate food eating habits should be developed like eating at least two hours before going to bed and refraining from eating just before bedtime. Lighter meals should be consumed in dinner and only non-citrus fruits like apple, banana, pear, etc. should be taken after evening. Water, Ginger ale, natural juice can be given as fluid supplements when the child feels thirsty.
What To Avoid When You Have Night Time Incontinence?
It is always more important to know what to avoid than to know what to eat. Fluids containing caffeine like soft drinks should be avoided during the night time because they are of diuretic nature and can precipitate nocturnal incontinence. Excessive fluid intake during night time should be minimized. Abnormal food habits like late-night eating, eating while watching television, consuming items just before going to bed should also be avoided.
Few food items are also recommended to be reduced during night time because these are associated with higher incidence of nocturnal enuresis some of which are milk and related products like butter, cheese, eggs, citrus fruits or high water containing fruits like watermelon, melon, orange, etc., hypertonic canned juices, caffeine-containing products like chocolate, cocoa, soft drinks, etc.[1] Other myths like eating dried dates, apricots, black pepper, etc. can be beneficial are also should be avoided because there is no such evidence in support of these products.
In the cases which cannot be treated by restriction of diet and hydration maintenance, medical treatment should be sought. It is an effective form of treatment with almost 100% cures rate and very few relapses or recurrences. sought group of drugs has been employed to cure the night time incontinence. Desmopressin acetate which is a recombinant form of antidiuretic hormone is the mainstay for the treatment because it reduces the urine formation. Another group of drugs includes tricyclic antidepressants like imipramine, anticholinergic drugs like oxybutynin, tolterodine, flavoxate, etc.[2] has been successfully used in the treatment and act as an alternative to desmopressin to reduce the cost factor of the therapy.
Conclusion
Optimal hydration remains the caffeine-containing management for nocturnal incontinence as proven by most of the research studies. Usually no specific diet recommendations have been put forward for consumption during his condition. Caffeine rich products, hypertonic juices, fizzy soft drinks, milk, and related products, etc. are recommended to be avoided before bedtime. Eating and drinking habits should be corrected.
It is best to avoid the unproven or inconsequential myths to save your child from unknown side effects. Ayurveda medications and herbal treatments should only be followed if they provide adequate evidence of success rate and valid research studies because these have dangerous side effects with unknown extent. Initiation of medical therapy should be done only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner because of these drugs a highly toxic if consumed more than stipulated dose.
Also Read:
- Nighttime Incontinence or Nighttime Bed Wetting: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Alternative Treatment, Lifestyle Changes
- How To Diagnose Night-Time Incontinence & What Is The Best Medicine For It?
- Coping Methods For Night-Time Incontinence
- What Are The First Symptoms Of Night-Time Incontinence & How Do You Test For It?
- What Is The Best Treatment For Night-Time Incontinence?
- What Leads To Night-Time Incontinence & Can It Be Cured?
