Nighttime incontinence also is known as nocturnal enuresis is very common phenomena among children because of inadequate maturation of neurogenic pathways responsible for voiding of urine. It results in inadequate, hesitant, urine voiding with residual urine causing bedwetting.
Can Night-Time Incontinence Go Away On Its Own?
It is a self-limiting condition and gets cured as the age progresses because the immature pathways start maturing after the age of 5 years. No treatment is sought generally till the age of 7 years and only few natural routine steps can be followed to help with this disorder. According to a study, about 15- 20% of the cases recover every year with increasing age and only less than 10% cases persist with the disease in adolescence.[1]
Behavioral therapy and psychological support remain the mainstay of the treatment for this condition. Elders with such past conditions can share their experiences with the child to boost morale. Punishment and abusive behavior is detrimental for self-esteem and can not only prolong the condition but also scar the child psychologically.
What Are It’s Natural Remedies?
There is no need for you directly jump to medical treatment and various natural remedies and steps can be followed for treating this disorder. The first step is to minimize the anxiety, low self-esteem, and embarrassment to the child. A caring and loving attitude by the parents, family members and teachers is a must and there is no role of punishment in its treatment.
Parents must try to maintain their attention on the normal micturating pattern of the child. The child should be encouraged to follow patterns of urine voiding at regular intervals of few hours, before and after going to someplace while leaving the home, before going to bed, etc. The child should be told to relax while micturating and do it in optimal posture without leaving our hesitating for any residual collection in the bladder.
Whenever the child is at school, the parents must inform the teacher to let the child go for urination whenever asked and strict patterns between the limited intervals should not be followed with such children. The child should be told for voiding of urine at least 3-4 times during the whole school period and before going on transportation on the way to home.
An adequate amount of water should be taken by the child to maintain adequate hydration and circulation. It helps to maintain persistent kidney function instead of sudden and rapid urine formation. If the child remains thirsty, then he /she may drink sudden large amount of water during late hours of day and the bed wetting can increase.
Parents should follow the child for urine voiding before bedtime and children should be instructed to go to bed at calculated time for adequate sleep. Bladder training exercises for continence after ingestion of large amount of water are to be avoided strictly because these are not helpful rather are harmful and difficult for a child to perform.
All these simple steps can be followed at home without any costly equipment or medication and are very much effective. Persisting with these steps for at least three months should be maintained before any other therapy has to be employed.
Conclusion
Nighttime incontinence or bed wetting is considered normal till the age of 5 years and can easily resolve on its own without any treatment or therapy. Parents should not try to push thoughts and restrictions on the children for correction of this condition and should deal with loving and caring attitude to ensure that the child doesn’t feel alone and embarrassed in front of others.
Counting on the voiding pattern of the child and helping to maintain good habits can be very helpful for the parents as well as the physician to understand the problem. Natural remedies are good but ayurvedic medications claiming to be helpful without proper evidence should be avoided.
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?
- How Do I Manage Nighttime Incontinence?
