Teen Bedwetting Treatments
Teen bedwetting can be a tricky issue to address, as it can be embarrassing for teenagers to admit that they have a bedwetting problem. Fortunately, teen bedwetting is usually a physical problem, as opposed to a mental issue, and can be corrected with easy treatments. Mass General Hospital lists several treatment options, including reducing fluid intake, strengthening the bladder, medication, setting alarms and timing trips to the bathroom.
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Decrease Fluid Intake
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Mass General Hospital recommends decreasing the amount of fluid that the teen drinks in the evening before going to bed. This may require eating dinner earlier so as to avoid much fluid intake for at least a couple hours before bedtime.
Use the Restroom before Bed
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Teens should be reminded to use the restroom before going to bed so that they don't need to empty their bladder at night.
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Set an Alarm Clock for Restroom Trips
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According to Mass General Hospital, alarm clock usage can be an effective treatment for bedwetting if teenagers will wake up and use the restroom when the alarm goes off, as opposed to sleeping through it. The alarm should be set for sometime during the middle of the night, preferably before the time when they usually wet the bed.
Strengthen the Bladder
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Mass General Hospital recommends that teenagers hold their urine during the day for increasing time periods to strengthen and enlarge their bladders. This should be done with the guidance of a doctor, so as not to cause a bladder or urinary tract infection.
Moisture Sensor
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According to Mass General Hospital, doctors can recommend portable alarms with moisture sensors to sense when the teen is about to wet the bed. The sensor is placed near the urethra and sets off the alarm when the first drops of moisture appear.
Medication
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Imipramine hydrochloride and Desmopressin are two medications recommended by Mass General Hospital for the treatment of bedwetting in teenagers. Imipramine hydrochloride increases the bladder's capacity, and Desmopressin increases concentration of the urine and water retention. Both of these medications usually require ongoing usage, and teens who stop them usually begin bedwetting again.
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References
- Photo Credit Leandro Ercole
