What is urinary incontinence in a child? This is a loss of bladder control that results in accidental urination.
Children cannot stay dry day or night. Sometimes urinary incontinence in a child can be caused by he alth problems such as:
- diabetes;
- urinary tract infections;
- kidney problems;
- nerve problems;
- constipation;
- obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is interrupted during sleep, often due to inflamed or enlarged tonsils;
- structural problems of the urinary tract.
In most cases, the exact cause of urinary incontinence is unknown, but it is often the result of more than one of the above.
Although it usually disappears with the natural course of time, for most children, accidental daytime urination can lead to a lot of trouble and embarrassment.
The age at which children stop urinating varies. Urinary incontinence in a young child is not considered a medical condition until age 5 or 6years.
Enuresis
Another name for urinary incontinence is enuresis. It comes in the following types:
- Primary enuresis - systematic urinary incontinence in a child who has never been dry.
- Secondary enuresis begins after at least 6 months of bladder control.
- Nocturnal enuresis - spontaneous urination usually occurs during sleep.
- Diurnal enuresis - daytime urinary incontinence in children.
How common is the disease?
By the age of 5, more than 90 percent of children can control urination during the day. Nighttime urinary incontinence is much more common than daytime incontinence, affecting 30 percent of 4-year-olds, about 10 percent of 7-year-olds, 3 percent of 12-year-olds, and 1 percent of 18-year-olds.
What causes urinary incontinence in a baby?
The exact cause of most cases is unknown. Sometimes it is caused by structural problems in the urinary tract, however, in most cases it is the result of a combination of certain factors that include slow physical development, overproduction of urine, and an inability to recognize when the bladder is full. It may also be associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or anxiety. In addition, bedwetting can be genetically transmitted.
Enuresis treatment
In most cases, urinary incontinence in a child disappears naturally, during his growth and development and does not require treatment. If treatment is needed, options include:
1. Educationcontrol the bladder
The workout consists of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the bladder to better control urination. Gradually lengthening the time between trips to the bathroom can also help stretch it. Additionally, you can try:
- scheduled urination (every 2 hours);
- avoid caffeinated foods or drinks;
- relaxing the muscles to empty the bladder completely.
2. Moisture alarm
At night, this alarm can wake up children if they start to urinate.
3. Medicines
The hormone Desmopressin is intended for use in children to prevent incontinence.
Stress incontinence can be treated with Oxybutynin (Ditropan), a drug that helps calm bladder muscles and relieve muscle spasm.
