Bedwetting is a common problem in Nigeria and globally whereby children urinate on bed while sleeping, the matter that becomes a source of concern to their parents. Some intolerant parents often beat such children and or mete out other physical punishments on them with a view to stopping them from the act. This is even as some cultures mount these children who urinate while sleeping on hyenas believing that it is the remedy for the situation.
While some children mounted on the hyenas are subjected to terror, fear and anxiety, other vulnerable children are given variety of herbs and concoctions all in order to prevent them from the menace.
But the questions are; can beating, punishing, herbs and hyenas stop bedwetting among the kids? And is bedwetting a health problem? Does it even have a solution?
Before those questions will be answered, it is pertinent to note that bedwetting is recognised by medical experts and the medical term for the problem is“Nocturnal Eneuresis” according to a popular medical doctor and public health educator based in Abuja Dr Maryam Ahmed Al-Mustapha.
She explained that it is common among children adding that the problem is more rampant among boys than girls.
On what causes bedwetting, Dr Maryam said it is normally during sleep, as the bladder fills up, it sends a message to our brain which tells the brain that the bladder needs to be emptied.
“This allows us to wake up and relieve ourselves. It is considered that for bed wetting to occur, somehow there is a dysfunction in this mechanism. Three mechanisms have been considered including an interplay between excessive urine production at night, over activity of the bladder and a failure to awaken in response to bladder sensations.
“Some associated conditions include: urinary tract infections, constipation, ADHD, diabetes and psychological stress/trauma.”, she noted.
The medical expert added that bedwetting affects children of all ages, sometimes even adults saying however that it is more common before the age of 6 and usually affects boys more than girls. This is just as she pointed out that this condition can also be genetic and run in families.
“Most children outgrow it on their own. It is not usually considered a health concern unless it persists over the age of 7. Specifically, it becomes an issue when the child is over the age of 12 and wets the bed 2-3 times per week for over 3 months consecutively.”, she pointed out.
Another question is, is there home remedy for it, and how can people prevent themselves from such experience?
Maryam has answered the question saying the treatment of nocturnal eneuresis is largely through behavioral changes including; limiting fluid intake at night especially those that contain caffeine or excess sugar, emptying the bladder before bedtime, setting of alarms to wake at regular intervals throughout the night, bladder training like increasing the length of time between bathroom visits which she noted helps to enlarge bladder to allow it to hold more pee.
Aside from that, she stated that there are some modern devices that can help like the bedwetting alarm which has a moisture sensor clipped to the underwear.
“This detects wetness and triggers an alarm as soon as the child starts wetting the bed.
“Sometimes the problem might persist and healthcare providers need to be involved.
There are certain medications that can help either used alone or in combination with additional behavioral or psychotherapy. It is important to speak to a healthcare provider and get properly evaluated before medical therapy is considered.”, she explained.
On final note, the medical practitioner advised that parental care and support is very important warning that nothing is achieved by blaming the child or through physical punishment but that therapy is best achieved through understanding and teamwork along with consistent measures.
In a study conducted by O U Anyanwu et al in July 2015 titled “Nocturnal Enuresis among Nigerian Children and its Association with Sleep, Behavior and School Performance”, it was found that, bedwetting was prevalent in 37% of Nigerian children (probably under the age of 6).