ow To Manage Bed Wetting In Older Children And Teenagers?

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Does your child have bed wetting problems? If yes, then stop worrying as this problem is very common among teenagers.
Enuresis or bedwetting is a common problem that many children face during their teenage phase. You may wonder how your child, who is like every normal teen, spells a different story when night ensues. For your teen, the worst part might be suffering through this in silence. He must be afraid of what his friends and even parents might think of him.
The first step for you is to assure him that it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Next, you need to help him cope with this problem in a healthy way. To help you in this phase we have compiled an expert article for you, have a look.

What Causes Bed Wetting In Teenagers?

For most teens, bed wetting is an inevitable part of growing up and can be extremely traumatic. You will be surprised to know that majority of bed wetting is hereditary. It means that one of you parents have suffered this experience too as a child.
Here are some of the most common causes:

1. Hormonal Problems:

A hormone present in our bodies known as ADH or Antidiuretic hormone reduces urine formation at night. Your teenager might be producing less of this hormone. It in turn causes him to produce more than the usual amount of urine while he is sleeping.

2. Small Bladder:

Having a small bladder might be causing him to not be able to hold in his urine. Excessive amount of muscle spasms might also cause this problem.

3. Deep Sleepers:

Your teenager might be a very deep sleeper. He may be unable to send a signal to his brain when his bladder is full, causing him to wet the bed.

4. Psychological Problems:

Often, too much stress during teenage years, such as peer pressure, societal pressures, parental divorce or death in the family, can cause stress. These often trigger the problem of bed wetting.

How Can You Treat It?

Like every other problem that your teenager will face during this stressful phase of his life, this problem too can be treated. In case you have suffered from this problem when you were his age, it would be advisable to share your experiences with him to put him at ease.
Here are a few ways you can help your teenager:

1. Take Care Of What He Eats Before Bed:

The first most obvious way to treat this problem would be to help him reduce the amount of fluid he intakes before bed.

• Teach your teenager to try and avoid foods that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, tea and chocolates.
• Do a thorough research on foods that cause one to urinate more and prevent your teenager from having those before bed.

2. Use Positive Imagery:

Positive imagery application is a technique you can teach your teenager, which involves imagining himself dry when he wakes up.

• This technique is often seen to have positive results.
• Your teenager might need some assistance for using this technique.
• It might take time to show results but encourage him to keep at it and be patient.

3. Have An Open Discussion:

Never allow your teenager to feel ashamed, embarrassed or conscious by this problem.

• Talk it out openly and be kind, compassionate and understanding.
• Having an open discussion will help your teenager seek some comfort in you and come to you for help.

4. Using Bed Wetting Alarms:

Try and encourage your teen to use a bed wetting alarm.

• In a bed wetting alarm, a small buzz or alarm goes off as soon as your teenager starts to wet the bed.
• Alarms will allow him to wake up, go to the toilet and relieve himself before he wets the bed any further.
• If your teenager is unable to wake up on his own on account of being a heavy sleeper, help him out by waking him up and taking him to the toilet.

Remember:

• The key to help your teenager with his bed wetting problem, is to be patient.
• Always be open and understanding as he may be suffering through this in shame.
• You can assure your teenager that many others of his age suffer from this problem too.

The best part about this problem is that it will most probably go away on its own. So be kind and help your teenager through this tough time.
We hope this information has benefited you. Please share this article with other mothers whose teenagers might be suffering from the same problem. If you have any tips to share, do write in the comments box.