The answer is yes.
Nocturnal enuresis in children is genetic.
In other words, if the parents suffered nocturnal enuresis when they were
young, there is a very high probability that their children will develop
enuresis. If both parents had enuresis, there is a 77% chance of enuresis, and
if one parent had enuresis, there is a 44% chance.
Nocturnal enuresis in children is
determined based on the age of 5 years. It may be suspected in children over 5
years of age if it continues more than 3 months, twice a week.
In most cases, enuresis improves with
growth, so it is often left untreated. However, the shame, anxiety, and lack of
self-confidence caused by enuresis can lead to personality dysplasia during
adolescence. Active treatment is required after the age of 5 for the formation
of a healthy personality in children and recovery of reduced self-esteem. It is
important to remember that enuresis is not the child's fault and not to punish
or blame.
Treatment of nocturnal enuresis
Treatment for enuresis includes medication,
behavioral therapy and improvement of lifestyle. There are drug treatment using
antidiuretic hormone preparations, antidepressants, anticholinergic drugs, and
behavioral treatment methods using nocturnal enuresis alarms.
1. Medication
For drug therapy, antidiuretic hormones,
antidepressants, and anticholinergic drugs can be used alone or in combination.
1.1. Antidiuretic Hormone
It is effective in patients with nocturnal
enuresis, which lacks antidiuretic hormone secretion at night. Most of the
symptoms recur when the drug is stopped, so it should be reduced gradually.
Although it is safe and has few side effects, should not drink too much water
before bedtime as it can lower blood sodium levels.
1.2. Bladder relaxants (anticholinergic
drugs)
It can increase the volume of the bladder
functionally by inhibiting the contraction of the bladder muscles. Side effects
may include thirst, constipation, loss of appetite, and hot flashes.
1.3. Antidepressants
It makes the depth of sleep shallow so that
you can wake up easily. It also reduces the amount of urine at night. Decreased
appetite, anxiety, sleep disorders, personality changes, and cardiac
arrhythmias may occur, so be careful when taking the drug.
2. Behavioral therapy
The most effective behavioral therapy is a
nocturnal alarm. The bed-wetting alarm is attached to the pajamas and when the
child urinates, an alarm will sound to wake you up. As a treatment using the
conditioned reflex, the child will learn the habit of waking up by itself
before peeing. The treatment effect is good, the recurrence rate is less than
that of drug therapy, and a success rate of 60 to 80% is reported, but it takes
about 3 to 4 months and there are many inconveniences and difficulties for
patients and parents to use. It takes effort.
3. Improvement of lifestyle
Avoid watery foods and fruits 2-3 hours
before bedtime. Eat dinner as early as possible and avoid salty or spicy foods.
If your child is not very thirsty, we recommend that refrain from drinking
water before going to bed. Even if your child has bed-wetting, don't yell at
him, and praise him if he doesn't have bed-wetting. Self-cleaning and
organizing of wet clothes and bedding enhances responsibility.
- Regular urination: Make sure your child
urinates every 2-3 hours, even if he doesn't feel the micturition desire
- Drinking plenty of fluids during the day:
It's important to drink enough fluids in the amount of body needs. The best way
to stay hydrated is water that doesn't contain sugar or caffeine.
