Bedwetting - Why Does it Occur?
Bedwetting is, in the majority of cases caused by a simple lack
of control over the bladder whilst the patient is asleep. Although
there are other causes, such as bladder infections and bladder defects,
these are very rare.
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Bladder control in a child is obtained in two stages. Children first learn
to maintain control during the day by "holding on"
if necessary and continuing to do so until they reach a toilet.
They learn to maintain control durin gthe night and this is
achieved when they are able, whilst asleep, either to 'hold
on' until the morning or awaken themselves when the pressure
in the bladder reaches an uncomfortable level.
With children who wet their bed, the brain reacts to the
first feelings of discomfort by simply allowing the sleeping
child to release the contents of the bladder into the bed
without disturbing the child's sleep. If control is not obtained
naturally, this trouble can, and often does, continue for
many years, even into adult life. The condition is normally
made worse by threat or punishment.
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How can it be stopped?
If the patient can be awakened by an alarm each and every
time wetting occurs, then brain will quickly realise that
remaining undisturbed by wetting the bed is no longer possible
(as the patient will be awakened by the alarm anyway!) The
extra disturbance caused by also having to deal with a wet
bed will be such that the brain will recognise that it is
now easier to cause the patient to "hold on" whilst
asleep or to awaken if the bladder pressure becomes excessively
uncomfortable. Dry nights will start to occur almost immediately.
Once this pattern has been reliably established, wet beds
will cease and the use of the alarm can be discontinued. The
child will remain dry at night. |
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Want to know how the Astric Bed can help? View our HOW
IT WORKS section. |
