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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Urinary Incontinence in Children
What treats or cures incontinence?
Growth and Development
Most urinary incontinence fades away naturally. Here are examples of what can happen over time:
Bladder capacity increases.
Natural body alarms become activated.
An overactive bladder settles down.
Production of ADH becomes normal.
The child learns to respond to the body's signal that it is time to void.
Stressful events or periods pass.
Many children overcome incontinence naturally (without treatment) as they grow older. The number of cases of incontinence goes down by 15 percent for each year after the age of 5.
Medications
Nighttime incontinence may be treated by increasing ADH levels. The hormone can be boosted by a synthetic version known as desmopressin, or DDAVP, which recently became available in pill form. Patients can also spray a mist containing desmopressin into their nostrils. Desmopressin is approved for use by children.
Another medication, called imipramine, is also used to treat sleepwetting. It acts on both the brain and the urinary bladder. Researchers estimate that these medications may help as many as 70 percent of patients achieve short-term success. Many patients, however, relapse once the medication is withdrawn.
If a young person experiences incontinence resulting from an overactive bladder, a doctor might prescribe a medicine that helps to calm the bladder muscle. This medicine controls muscle spasms and belongs to a class of medications called anticholinergics.
Bladder Training and Related Strategies
Bladder training consists of exercises for strengthening and coordinating muscles of the bladder and urethra, and may help the control of urination. These techniques teach the child to anticipate the need to urinate and prevent urination when away from a toilet. Techniques that may help nighttime incontinence include
determining bladder capacity
drinking less fluid before sleeping
developing routines for waking up
Unfortunately, none of these techniques guarantees success.
Techniques that may help daytime incontinence include
urinating on a schedule, such as every 2 hours (timed voiding)
avoiding caffeine or other foods or drinks that you suspect may contribute to your child's incontinence
following suggestions for healthy urination, such as relaxing muscles and taking your time
Moisture Alarms
At night, moisture alarms can awaken a person when he or she begins to urinate. These devices include a water-sensitive pad worn in pajamas, a wire connecting to a battery-driven control, and an alarm that sounds when moisture is first detected. For the alarm to be effective, the child must awaken as soon as the alarm goes off, go to the bathroom, and change the bedding. This may require having another person sleep in the same room to awaken the bedwetter.
Incontinence is also called enuresis
Primary enuresis is wetting in a person who has never been dry for at least 6 months.
Secondary enuresis is wetting that begins after at least 6 months of dryness.
Nocturnal enuresis is wetting that usually occurs during sleep (nighttime incontinence).
Diurnal enuresis is wetting when awake (daytime incontinence).
What is Urinary Incontinence in Children?
How does the urinary system work?
What causes nighttime incontinence?
