Adult Bed Wetting: Feature Article

Adult bed wetting is called enuresis. Bed wetting is common for children, but it usually ceases by about age 5. Only about 1-2% of adolescence have bed wetting problems and the frequency decreases even more as individuals move into adulthood. As we hit our later years, bed wetting does become a problem again. Most people who experience adult bed wetting have some other type of medical condition such as urinary tract disorders. Some other problems that cause adult bed wetting include the following: depression, seizures, heart failure, diabetes, stress, and dementia. Excessive intake of fluids will also cause urination and nighttime bed wetting. If you have adult bed wetting, you need to speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
Genetics plays a large factor in adult bed wetting. Studies have shown that adult bed wetting is generally hereditary, proving that an adult has as 77% chance of bed wetting if their parents were both bed wetter's. If only one of your parents is a bed wetter, you have a 40% chance of adult bed wetting. Bed wetting is caused by the ADH hormone. This hormone is the one that signals the kidneys to decrease the amount of urine produced. During the night, the kidneys will produce less urine, allowing individuals to sleep through the night without urinating. Some people do not produce enough of the ADH hormone at night and they have a high production of urine. This causes your body to release urine during the night because of the pressure on the bladder. In some cases, the body does produce ADH but the kidneys do not respond and they continue producing the same amount of urine. If you have any of the above problems, it could be a symptom of Type I or Type II diabetes.
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Another reason you may have adult bed wetting problems is if your bladder will not hold as much urine as others. This condition is often referred to as a "small bladder". The bladder capacity is smaller and causes your bladder to send a signal to the brain that it needs to urinate. Many patients with adult bed wetting problems experience detrusor over activity. This basically means that the detrusor muscle is overactive and causes the body to release urine more frequently. Most patients that are diagnosed with enuresis have detrusor over activity. Consuming alcohol and caffeine can also lead to detrusor instability and cause the body to increase urine production.
Helpful Resources: Adult bed Wetting This web site provides a brief look at adult bed wetting. It discusses what commonly causes adult bed wetting, what you can do to treat it, and why you should seek medical advice if you have bed wetting. Overview of Adult Bed Wetting The National Association of Consistence Signs And Symptoms of Adult Bed Wetting Tips For Adult Bed Wetting Common Causes Causes of Adult Bed Wetting Controling Adult Bed Wetting |
Medications can also lead to adult bed wetting as a side effect. If you are taking medications for insomnia or psychiatric purposes, you may experience adult bed wetting as a side effect. Always find out what the side effects are to a medication before you begin taking it. Some medications may make you have daytime bedwetting. If you are experiencing bed wetting in the daytime, you may have a problem with the urethra or prostatic vesicle.
Some other reasons you may experience bed wetting include: prostate enlargement, bladder cancer, urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones, neurological disorders, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, sleep apnea, diabetes, anatomical abnormalities, anxiety, and emotional disorders. If you think you have a problem with adult bed wetting, you need to talk to your doctor. It will help to take a few things with you before you visit your doctor. Here are some things that will help your doctor make a complete diagnosis:
- Keep a record of bed wetting for at least 2 weeks prior to the appointment.
- Record when the bed wetting accidents occur.
- Record how much was urinated.
- Write down your drinking patterns. Do you consume a lot of alcohol or caffeine? Write down the time of day when you drink the most and when you have your last drink before bed.
- Discuss any urinary tract infections you may have with the doctor.
- Be sure to go over any other problems you may be experiencing during the night such as night sweats or insomnia.
- If you are taking medications, read the side effects and discuss your medications with your doctor.
Your primary care physician is the best place to start when you are seeking help for adult bed wetting. Your primary care physician can refer you to a specialist if they think something is wrong. For most people, bed wetting can be cured. If you have bed wetting problems, here are a few things you can do.
Monitoring fluid intake is an easy way to control your adult bed wetting. Drink more fluids in the morning and limit the amount of fluids you intake in the later afternoon and evening. Before you go to bed, empty your bladder so it will be able to hold more during the night. Decrease the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume as it will reduce bed wetting. You still need to drink 8-10 glasses of water each day, just try to drink more in the morning versus the evening.
There is a technique called bladder volume training. Bladder volume training is used to increase bladder capacity in individuals whose bladders cannot hold as much water. The training involves drinking lots of water during the day and holding the urine in the bladder for at least 2-3 hours. During proper training, your bladder will learn to increase its capacity and make adult bed wetting a thing of the past. Bedwetting alarm systems have also been shown to work for individuals who experience bed wetting. A bedwetting alarm is a device that will awaken a person once the accident occurs. There are several different bed wetting alarm systems you can purchase that include vibrating alarms and sounding alarms. The alarm works when you wear underwear that is attached to the alarm. Once the individual begins to wet the underwear, the alarm will sound, causing the person to awaken and stop the flow of urine. You can then use the restroom to relieve the rest of the urine and return to bed. Using this system will allow you to train your body to awaken when it needs to expel urine.
You can create your own bed wetting alarm by setting a manual alarm to ring every 2-3 hours. You can then awaken and relive your bladder. You should pick random times to relieve your bladder so it does not grow accustom to relieving itself on a schedule.
There are also medications you can take to treat adult bed wetting. The medicine may be effective, but it only works during the time in which you take it. When you stop taking the medicine, your body will automatically continue its "old" regime of reliving itself whenever it feels it is necessary. It is best to combine medication with behavioral treatments that will train your bladder to hold more urine and release it when you are ready.
In extreme cases, surgery may be an option. You should only consider surgery when all the other methods are ineffective. One of the most common surgeries is a sacral nerve stimulation surgery. The sacral nerve roots will be stimulated, causing the detrusor muscles to contract. The surgery will make the detrusor muscles contract less frequently and allow the body to produce less urine. There is another surgery where the bladder is cut open and a patch of your intestine is placed between the two halves. This surgery will reduce bladder instability and increase the capacity your bladder can hold. The final surgery option is to remove an exterior portion of the muscle surrounding the bladder. The muscle will then have to work harder to strengthen bladder contractions and this reduces the number of bed wetting episodes.
If you are currently experiencing bed wetting, you should try a few things that can help. Use mattress covers on your bed that will protect your mattress. There are even absorbing mattress covers that will make clean-up much easier. Purchase absorbent briefs. Absorbent briefs are designed to absorb liquid and will prevent leakage during the night and daytime. Disposable underwear is best, as it helps to reduce skin irritation and rashes. There are also numerous skincare products you can get to relief irritation to the skin caused from bed wetting. Always wash your clothing and mattresses after a bed wetting episode.
While you may think adult bed wetting is embarrassing, it does happen to some people. You should discuss your symptoms with a medical professional if you aren't able to control your bed wetting on your own. Adult bed wetting may be the cause of a more serious condition, so it is always best to seek medical advice.
