Adult Enuresis

Bedwetting in adults is a fairly common problem. Most often bedwetting occurs in senior citizens. However, some adults never stopped bedwetting as children and through their teen years. Others have the problem intermittently. Whenever it begins, bedwetting in adults can be inconvenient and at times embarrassing. It can also be a symptom of deeper problems. In all cases of adult enuresis, a visit to a physician is a very good idea.

The causes of adult enuresis when it is carried over from childhood is difficult to peg. However, it can be associated with deep sleeping, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders. In many cases, dealing with sleep apnea will cure the bedwetting problem. Onset secondary adult enuresis (bedwetting later in life when the condition had ceased in childhood) can have several causes. The most common is urinary tract or bladder infection. This can be treated by a doctor with antibiotics, but also cranberry juice taken on a consistent basis can control this problem. Secondary adult bedwetting can also be a signal of the onset of type 2 diabetes.

When adult enuresis occurs in men, there is a good chance that the problem can be the result of an enlarged prostrate¹, which leaves less room for the bladder and can cause the bladder to be filled more quickly at night. The size of the prostrate can be reduced through medication.

Other physiological medical problems that might cause secondary nocturnal bedwetting are bladder cancer and alcoholism. Stress and anxiety have also been indicated as factors. Counseling then can help reduce the possibility of bedwetting.

While dealing the root cause of the problem, there are things that can be done in the short term:

• Limit the intake of fluids before bedtime.
• Urinate just before going to bed.
• To help expand the bladder, go to the bathroom less frequently during the day.
• Set an alarm to awake and go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
• Using a bedwetting alarm has also been shown to be effective.
• Some herbal medicines that include equisetum may help lessen urine production at night.
• Doctors can prescribe DDAVP which is a synthetic hormone which slows urine production at night.
• There are also some claims that acupuncture and hypnosis can have a positive effect.
• Of course, incontinence pads can also be worn at night.
• Bladder control exercises can be performed three times a day in an effort to improve bladder control.

Ultimately, adult enuresis, though not always curable, is often manageable.

<< Medical Solutions to Bedwetting | Review of Malem Alarm >>

1. Prostate as a Cause for Enuresis
2. Accupuncture and Hypnosis Mentioned