Patient's question:
My daughter sleeps very soundly at night. She needs to be woken up by an adult to urinate, and she is still in a sleep state while doing so. She often wets the bed. What is the cause of this phenomenon and what are the relevant treatment methods? Thank you!Doctor's answer:
Hello:Bedwetting in children, also known as enuresis, refers to the inability of children over the age of three to control urination after falling asleep, resulting in unconscious bedwetting. Habitual enuresis can weaken children, affect their physical health and intellectual development, and frequent bedwetting can also bring to the family.
There are generally two types of enuresis in children: functional and organic. Most cases of bedwetting in children are functional, caused by dysfunction of the higher central nervous system in the brain. Common causes include psychological factors, such as excessive fatigue, mental tension, sudden fright, fear and shyness, difficulty adapting to a new environment, and not being accustomed to nighttime urination habits from a young age. A few cases of bedwetting in children are organic, often caused by conditions such as spina bifida, spinal meningitis, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, underdeveloped brain, small bladder capacity, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, phimosis, anal fissures, and pinworms. For organic conditions, it is important to seek medical treatment promptly. Once the disease is cured, the enuresis will also be resolved. For functional enuresis, it can be completely cured by paying attention to the following points:
① Parents should treat their child's bedwetting correctly. Bedwetting is unconscious, and parents should show sympathy, understanding, and support. They must never beat or abandon the child.
② Relieve psychological stress. Children aged three and older have begun to understand. Parents should persuade and comfort the child, letting them know that this is a temporary functional disorder that can be cured, thereby relieving their stress and building confidence in recovery.
③ Establish a reasonable daily routine. Avoid letting the child play too hard during the day, allowing them to nap for 1–2 hours in the afternoon, and not giving them liquid diets after 4:00 PM. The evening meal should be light.