2023-06-04 15:21:54
It is estimated that more than half a million children in Spain suffer pee leaks at night. It is a problem that has a solution
It is estimated that more than half a million children in Spain find their bed wet on a regular basis when they wake up in the morning. This is because at some point during the night they have leaked their urine, at an age when control should already be present.
A health problem that has a solution, but that on too many occasions and generally because of embarrassment it is difficult to expose in the consultation. A totally involuntary childhood disorder that is not the child’s fault, and that in no case is it going to be solved by scolding him or her, if not by providing support from home and with the appropriate professional treatment.
From what age do we have to worry?
In Spain, diaper removal in children generally occurs between 2 and 3 years of age. It is common for this to happen a few months later at night, and there may even be some cases of children who are lagging behind who end up forgetting their diaper at 4 years of age.
Those, after 5 years experts agree that bedwetting is already a problem that we need to address.
Why is urine leaking?
While we sleep our body makes less urine and increases the capacity of the bladder to retain it, but if our bladder is still full we will wake up to go to the bathroom.
In children with nocturnal enuresis these mechanisms don’t work well. They will not be able to wake up with the desire to urinate, generally because they do not perceive that need, and it is also likely that the production of nocturnal urine is increased or that the capacity of the bladder to retain it is decreased.
And if I make him drink less?
What is recommended is not to give less amount of liquids, but to regulate the time in which you ingest them. In the morning you can drink as much as you like, but in the evening we will try to reduce your fluid intake and before going to bed you should not drink anything. Not overloading the bladder at night can help control the problem.
Is it true that it is more common in boys than in girls?
Yes. This is due to the fact that the bladder matures more quickly in girls than in boys, so, having the same age, girls have a greater capacity to retain urine than boys. In addition, the hormonal system that regulates the production of urine at night develops earlier in girls, so they will produce less pee at night than boys.
How do we approach it with the child?
In no case should we hide or minimize the problem, and much less make him feel guilty or scold him. We have to show him that we understand what is happening and transmit confidence and security.
We can explain to him that it is more common than he thinks, in a class of 20 5-year-old students there are about 3 children to whom the same thing happens, and that it is a small delay in bladder control that with his effort and help manage to solve
How can it be affecting him?
We know that it is a problem that can have a significant emotional impact on children. Low self-esteem, guilt, anxiety, shame, or social isolation These are just some of the emotional consequences that can result.
Can it be fixed without doing anything?
Waiting for the problem to go away on its own is an option, but certainly not recommended. It is estimated that each year 15% of cases are resolved without doing anything, but also that 3% continue to wet the bed beyond the age of 20, so as we can see, this option is slow and not very safe.
Is it a problem that is inherited?
It can be inherited, yes. It is estimated that 7 out of 10 children with nocturnal enuresis have relatives who are having or have had this same problem.
According to the criteria of
The Trust Project
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