In this article, we want to talk about a very serious but often shied away topic – bedwetting. We often think bedwetting is only peculiar to infants or little kids. Little do we know how severe this matter is.
If we just do a google search, the related questions that often come up will just blow our minds away. Bedwetting happens or can happen to a person from any age group. We only think about kids, but elderly people too often suffer from this.
We have diapers not only for kids but also for elder people. Even people from the age of 15 to 50 may suffer the same. There are various reasons we use bed wetting alarms.
Let us have a deep look into the matter. We will step by step see what this is about, and the probable causes, and also list a number of regularly searched topics that will satisfy your informational needs.
First, we begin with a definition. Then we will look at the reasons. Then we will go through some age-related topics.
Table of Contents
What is Bedwetting?
Bed-wetting is a legitimate concern for parents and individuals alike. The medical term for this health issue is nocturnal enuresis. It is also known as nighttime incontinence. Both terms are well known.
This particular term is used in cases where an individual urinates involuntarily in his or her sleep or experiences a wet night at an age when he or she is expected to have a dry night. This involuntary discharge of urine is not his or her fault. They do not do it knowingly.
They just cannot keep up with the pressure – either they do not feel the pressure because of their deep sleep or their bladder control gives up even before they can open their eyes and leave the bed and go to the bathroom. It is a legitimate medical concern, so if you are a parent or the patient him/herself, please, do not worry. Just talk to your doctor.
Many parents are worried about their kids who regularly wet their bed although they have been toilet training their kids since they were little. They should know that it is absolutely normal for kids of 7 years of age to wet their beds. However, for elderly, you should go see a doctor. With patience, this can be cured fully or to some extent.
Bedwetting reasons for Kids or Adults:
There can be a plethora of reasons for bedwetting – psychological and physical. The common reasons can be from the list below:
- Constipation.
- UTI or urinary tract infection.
- Abnormality in breathing during sleep or sleep apnea.
- Stress, insecurity, and fear.
- Small sized bladder.
- Enlargement of the prostate gland.
- Neurological issues, for example, after a stroke.
Bedwetting can also happen because of imbalances of hormones. The Antidiuretic Hormone or ADH in everyone’s body tells us to reduce the urine production during night time. When the volume is reduced, our normal bladders can hold it without breaking our sleep and going to the toilet.
Another reason is diabetes. If a person becomes diabetic, s/he may suffer from bedwetting. The body of a diabetic patient cannot process the glucose from carbs such as rice, sugar, etc., and produce urine instead. This would cause any individual, usually dry at night, to wet their beds. Age does not matter here, because diabetes can happen to people from all age groups.
Solutions to Bedwetting:
Lifestyle Change:
It is very important to bring about a change in lifestyle to end the bedwetting episodes naturally. For an adult, if not suffering from valid medical conditions like diabetes, or enlargement of the prostate gland, then hopefully reducing the amount of fluid s/he takes before bed would do the trick.
Make sure to stop drinking altogether at least two hours before bedtime. Extreme thirst can be a sign that there is something wrong. Dehydration is not always satisfied with water only. If you talk to a doctor, you will find many minerals are needed to run a human body, and if the body is low on those minerals a person will feel dehydrated.
Drinking water with various salts in a certain amount will work. Talk to your doctor to find out what minerals you are short on and how to refill your body every day. Do not drink too much water. Doctors will prescribe water intake depending on how much work you do every day.
However, if we are talking about a child, reducing the intake of fluid may not work all the time but try to reduce them anyway. Many parents are unaware of their children’s junk food and drink habits.
Carbonated water and such should not be allowed at home because children tend to watch TV or work or play on computers and take junk foods and drinks. Please, try to cut them off.
Make sure that every member of your family makes a habit of visiting the bathroom before bed. You can tell them to do the bathroom work and then brush their teeth, rinse well and go to bed. This way they will be able to sleep without any bladder problems.
When your children are in stress they can suffer from bedwetting as well. For example, if your child is being bullied at school or over social media, s/he may not talk to you about it, but the stress will be evident with bedwetting, nightmares, groaning during the sleep, etc.
Often many parents believe showing disinterest will let the kids open up to them. It is not always the case. It takes a lot of understanding and relationship and trust-building before your kids will open up to you about these matters. Showing sympathy and talking a great deal can bring good results.
The best way to deal with child’s bedwetting is to make bedwetting appear natural and very common at an early age. Train your kids to take responsibilities like waking up after an episode of bedwetting, go to the bathroom, wash up, dry themselves with a towel and change clothes, etc.
This will take a long time but be with them through the whole process and oversee. Keep talking to them, make funny talks to ease their tension, etc. This way the kids will be trained and one day they will be able to prevent bedwetting by waking up in time.
Bedwetting Alarm:
Now, as we are talking about bedwetting and prevention or treatment, we need to mention bedwetting alarms on the opportunity.
What is a Bedwetting Alarm System?
Among all the treatments available for bedwetting, the best bedwetting alarm or enuresis alarm is the most effective and the safest. Research has shown that this treatment is especially effective for kids over the age of seven.
A bedwetting alarm is a clever little device that can sense moisture. If you put it inside the pajamas of your kids or elderly family members, the alarm box will ring a bell or a buzzer will go off to wake them up, right at the beginning of urination. This way bedwetting alarms can prevent bedwetting issues.
How Does a Bedwetting Alarm Work?
At first, the parents will wake up and they will wake the kids or elderlies. Slowly the kids or elderlies will be able to finish the job by themselves if they have no other disabilities. Remember, this is not a quick solution. The job of the bedwetting alarm is to wake you up, but this will take some time to become a habit.
Types of Bed wetting Alarms:
There are various types of bedwetting alarms. The idea is the same for each one of the types – ring the buzzer when it senses any moisture. For example, a wet detective sensor pad, Therapee bedwetting solution, Chummie premium bedwetting alarm, etc.
- Wearable alarm: You attach this wearable bedwetting alarm device to the shoulder of the bedwetter. There is a moisture sensor that sits at the end of a wire with a sensor clip. You put the sensor underneath the briefs, pajamas, or underwear. The sensor will signal the alarm to go off the moment it senses the first drop of moisture. At 80 dB, the loud alarm sound can wake up everyone within the proximity. You can also set it to vibration mode which emulates a gentle patting on the shoulder to wake you up but everyone else remains asleep.
- Wireless alarm: Wireless bedwetting alarm has the same mechanism minus the wire. The sensor sits underneath the garments or pajamas, and the main body of the alarm sits on the bedside table or nearby table. When the alarm goes off, your kid will wake up and go to stop the alarm and finish the bathroom by himself. If you are a deep sleeper you can use this alarm. It is loud and it takes time to go silent.
- Pad and Bell alarm: This one is the original one. You place a pad that senses moisture under the bed cover. This is more comfortable because your kid will not feel discomfort from the cords or sensors worn underneath the garments. However, this is not as effective because if kids roll away from the pad, the bell will not ring. It is less effective but more comfortable.
Bed Wetting Alarm Prices:
You can find bedwetting alarms in various price ranges. On Amazon, bedwetting alarms are available from as low as USD30 to as high as USD401. You can find the one that suits you the best.
We hope that this article has helped you solve some problems. We have gathered the information from various sources and put them together for your convenience. Thanks for reading till the end.