bedwetting?

Question

my nephew is almost 14yrs old and he still wets on the bed ...is there something wrong with him? my sis took him to a urologist and he didn't find nothing wrong...but in the sono did find a very small cyst in one of the kidneys 2yrs ago she is supposed to take him bk for follow up ...she was a bit worried but he says it's normal in some males...he is very thing and barely drinks anything before bedtime...he barely drinks liquids...she is concerned does anyone have similar problem? it is embarrassing for him.

Answer 1

Possible Causes:

Sometimes, though rarely, enuresis is caused by a disease, such as urinary infection, diabetes, food allergies, or a physical abnormality of the bladder, kidneys, or nervous system. A disease is likely the cause if daytime control is also lacking. When bed-wetting persists past age five or six, a medical evaluation may be called for to see if a disease exists if daytime wetting also occurs and if bed-wetting recurs after a period of dryness.

While in the past some viewed enuresis as the manifestation of a neurotic disorder, medical experts are now in agreement that it is not intentional and is not a symptom of psychological disturbance. The cause of bed-wetting is otherwise unknown, although many theories have been proposed, such as a small bladder capacity, slow maturation of bladder control, familial tendency, and disorders of sleep patterns. More than one of these conditions may exist in a particular child.

If a child has had nighttime control of urination for six months or more and then resumes bed-wetting, a physical disease or an emotional upset is more likely to be the cause. Such things as the arrival of a new baby, a new stepparent, a move to a new home, or other family disruption can initiate bed-wetting again. More frequently, however, emotional disturbances such as guilt feelings, inadequacy, loss of self-esteem, and anxiety arise because of the bed-wetting.

How to Deal With It:

“The worst thing you can do is threaten them. It gets worse if you threaten; it doesn’t get better,” says Lorraine, who was a bed wetter until age 19. “There is no point in getting angry with the child,” explains a mother whose eight-year-old son, Julien, is affected.

Punishment, shaming, and degradation are ineffective treatments because the child is unable to control the bed-wetting. These reactions serve only to increase guilt and embarrassment but have no beneficial effect on the problem. Parents should, rather, attempt to reduce the emotional impact on the child. “Try to minimize the embarrassment and be understanding,” cautions Lorraine. “Try not to attach any stigma to it—the child already feels guilty.”

Many therapeutic approaches exist, but none are predictably of value in a given child. Therefore, the family may be faced with trying different approaches in sequence. The age of the child involved may also determine the treatment used. Since enuresis tends to stop spontaneously, some parents prefer to wait. In the absence of any physical problem or emotional disturbance in the child, it may be best to wait. The fact is, the child may be distressed by testing and treatment procedures.

Bed-wetting does, though, cause increased work, emotional stress, and embarrassment for all concerned. Activities such as overnight visits to friends and relatives may be curtailed. “You’re having so many social problems,” Lorraine noted, “that it leaves its mark on you.”

Putting off treatment indefinitely, therefore, is unwise. Lorraine urges: “Don’t let it go. In the meantime, you can be traumatized by it. You set a pattern.” “It becomes a habit,” says Julien’s mother.

What Can Help:

Before beginning on a course of treatment, care should be taken to ensure that the treatment does not cause more harm than the initial problem. Some authorities feel treatment should not be started until the child is six to eight years of age. Bed-wetting is not usually distressing to the child prior to this age. Besides, older children show a better response to treatment.

Some strategies to help the parent cope include the use of a plastic mattress cover or absorbent pads to protect the mattress and having the child help with the cleanup. Wearing extra-thick underwear in addition to pajamas will prevent much of the urine from getting through to bed sheets. Older children may set an alarm so that they will get up and go to the bathroom before bed-wetting occurs. Counseling and reassurance alone may result in improvement. Helping the child understand the problem and involving him in the treatment process increase the likelihood of success.

Simple measures such as restriction of fluids after supper (especially of caffeine-containing beverages, including colas), making sure the child uses the toilet at bedtime, and waking him during the night to urinate, as well as praise for dry nights, may reduce or eliminate bed-wetting. If the child keeps a record of dry nights, this in itself can be an encouragement and may result in improvement. Also, training the child to hold progressively larger volumes of urine during the day has helped.

A more elaborate approach is the use of a urine alarm system. A few drops of urine on a urine-sensitive pad placed under the child at night will activate the alarm to awaken the child. Success in eliminating enuresis by this means is reported to be as high as 60 to 90 percent, though relapses are reported in 10 to 45 percent of those treated. Retreatment may result in cure.

A combination of these measures, termed “Dry Bed Training,” has resulted in cessation of bed-wetting in almost all children treated. Unfortunately, 20 to 30 percent of children suffer relapse once the treatment is stopped, but a repeat treatment of these children may result in permanent success.

A drug called imipramine has been shown to reduce bed-wetting, but side effects are common and the relapse rate is high. Accidental overdose and death caused by imipramine have been reported, so caution is advised when using this approach. Continued medical supervision is recommended while this drug is being used.

Some have used other forms of treatment. “I’d suggest going to a chiropractor. I can see the improvement in my son in just a matter of two and a half months,” claims the mother of Julien. Studies of acupuncture treatment for enuresis show a 40-percent success rate. And herbalists outline various plants and herbs that purportedly alleviate bed-wetting. In some areas, there are clinics that specialize in the problem.

For most, the problem just disappears, or it is resolved after treatment. And as Lorraine observes: “People are immensely relieved to find out there is someone else who has experienced the same thing.” This reassurance coupled with some of the available treatments may be the key to helping your child overcome the problem of bed-wetting.

Answer 2

I had the same problem as a boy. I also could not wait when I need a bathroom. My mom carried a potty in the car so I could go when necessary.

When I was about fifty-two I was diagnosed with type two diabetes. I can't say he has this problem, but I suggest he be tested.

Answer 3

I know how he feels I personally had the same situation growing up as a child. What happens is that when you are in a deep sleep dreaming you physically have to urinate and your body is trying to tell you to go and when you get that feeling to go you incorperate that feeling in your dreams which means your mind really thinks that you are in the bathroom or somewhere else and you let it go. It took me some time to get over it but I finally did.

Answer 4

he will out grow it in time. I wet the bed untill I was 16, then one day it stoped. buy him some goodnites to help with the mess. if the doctor did not find any thing wrong then just wait till he out grows it.

Answer 5

A lot of males have this problem, however; if it is realy bothering him, you can ask your Dr. about medication, I had a nephew that they gave some type of pill to that helped him stop.

Answer 6

Their are people at age 17 who still do it. It is normal for some people.

Answer 7

well sometimes if they can't find a medical reason for his bedwetting (the cyst may not be the cause) it is a psychological one. either way have her take him back to the doctor for the follow up and tell her to ASK THE DOCTOR. if the doctor can't tell her a medical reason for it, then suggest she take him to a child/adolesent psychologist.

Answer 8

thats common my cousin is about that age and he still has to wear pull ups to bed

Answer 9

take em to tha gud ol doc

Answer 10

She might try chiropractic treatment and DHA supplements. This helped my son.