Bed wetting is a common problem in children, no matter how embarrassing it may be for them. According to the Mayo clinic, it is often a developmental stage. For many parents though, it can frustrating as they attempt to determine the cause of their child's problem. A variety of reasons may be the culprit, some of which may require medical attention.
Genetics
A child has an 80 percent chance of being a bed-wetter if both parents wet the bed as children, explains the Mayo Clinic. The problem may be something a child simply needs to outgrow.
Inability to Recognize a Full Bladder
Children who sleep deeply are usually unable to feel or recognize a full bladder. Everyone has nerves controlling their bladder; these nerves send messages to the brain alerting it that the bladder is full. Most children awaken when their brains receive this message. In some children, this nerve matures later than in others, causing them to wet the bed until they are between the ages of 4 and 5.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary infection may be the underlying culprit of a child's bed wetting. Other symptoms of an infection include accidents through the day, complaining of pain when using the bathroom and frequent urination.
Psychological Problems
Children who experience stress typically express it differently than adults; bed wetting is one of these ways. According to the Urology Channel, a child who has experienced some type of physical or sexual abuse, or who has lost a loved one, may have psychological issues, which may be the underlying cause of the bed wetting.
Medical Conditions
The Mayo Clinic explains that a child may be suffering from an underlying medical condition, which can cause bed wetting. Diabetes is one of these conditions. Additional symptoms of this disease include passing large amounts of urine at one time, excessive thirst and weight loss, even when the child has a good appetite. Seek medical advice if your child has these symptoms.
Sleep apnea may also contribute to bed wetting. If your child suffers from sleep apnea, he will briefly stop breathing during his sleep. Common symptoms in children include enlarged adenoids and tonsils., drowsiness during the day, snoring, frequent ear infections, and consistent complaints of a sore throat.
