Adult Bed-Wetting Also Known As Nocturnal Enuresis – Causes, Symptoms and Suggestions
Adult Bed-Wetting Also Known As Nocturnal Enuresis – Causes, Symptoms and Suggestions
Adult bed-wetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is quite rare, affecting only between 1 and 2% of the population. Any normally healthy adult, who finds they are wetting the bed, should seek medical advice quickly as it is usually a symptom of some underlying medical condition. Without medical help, the problem could get worse.
Some very serious conditions like bladder cancer or an undiagnosed injury can cause bed wetting but it can also be caused by other physical or mental conditions. The most common reasons for bed wetting are stress and urinary tract infections. A very common cause of sudden bed wetting is diabetes or rather as a side effect of diabetes which causes people to drink more and so produce more urine.
Men are nearly twice as likely to suffer from bed wetting as women. This is because their prostate glands can swell and press against the bladder. If a man starts bedwetting and feels the need to urinate more often then he should get checked up for prostate problems.
Urinary tract infections are another common reason for bed wetting. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection include burning and itching sensations which can be relieved by urinating. These infections can also cause a sudden urge to urinate. When asleep, a little urine may be released to relieve the irritation wetting the bed.
Enuresis is mostly associated with getting older as the muscles that control the bladder weaken the same way the other muscles of the body do. About 40% of older people suffer from incontinence. Older people who have Alzheimer’s often start to wet the bed as the signals that tell you when you need to go to the toilet become confused. It could also be caused by the medications that the patient is taking for other problems.
Drinking a lot of alcohol can also cause bed wetting. Anybody who drinks lots of any liquid will need to urinate more frequently but alcohol changes sleep patterns and can impair the reflexes that make you make up get up to go to the toilet. This is only really the case with people alcoholics, sensible drinking levels will not cause bed wetting.
Exhaustion can also cause enuresis. As people try to fit too much into their daily lives or work long hours, they try to manage on less and less sleep. When they give in and go to sleep, they sleep too deeply and don’t wake in time to go to the toilet. Cold and prescription medications can also make you sleep too soundly. If you are taking a diuretic medication, try not to take it at night, as this can cause bed wetting. Talk to your doctor first though before changing any routine.
It can be very embarrassing and frustrating to find that you are wetting the bed. Never mind the problem of constant sheet washing. Don’t feel ashamed to seek medical advice to find if there is an underlying problem. If not, there are many things available that can make it less stressful.
