The Primary cause of Enuresis (Bedwetting) is that the individual (child or adult) has incorrect deep sleep. Research shows that there is a direct relation between Enuresis and sleep disorders. This has opened the door to obtain a proper correction. Once it is realized that the probable loss of REM sleep that a bed wetter may experience, this problem takes on a whole new significance.
Is Bedwetting Inherited?
There have been many studies into the possibility that bedwetting is inherited. Research does indicate that a high percentage of families that have bedwetting in them have a history of it, however, it is indicated that incorrect sleep is what is inherited. Many twins will share a deep sleep problem and only one of them will be wetting the bed. The other may exhibit another symptom, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, or Bruxism (Nocturnal tooth grinding).
The loss of REM sleep may be the most serious problem faced by a bed wetter or an individual with common symptoms of the deep sleep such as night terrors, sleepwalking, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or Bruxism.
Interrelationship With Other Problems
Bruxism, ADD, ADHD, and Enuresis have all been shown to be interrelated. Research has shown that Bruxism (Tooth Grinding) comes from the same part of the sleep cycle as enuresis. Many families that have a child bed wetter have an adult or another family member that suffers from grinding their teeth at night. Many bed wetter’s that “Outgrew” the problem never outgrew it but just “TRADED SYMPTOMS” from bed wetting as a child and possibly adolescent to becoming a tooth grinder as an adult. That is if they did not already grind their teeth when they were younger.
As indicated by research, bedwetting is a parasomnia, which is a sleep disorder. In the process of correcting bed wetting you are actually attempting to correct the improper and deep sleep pattern. As the bedwetting disappears research has shown that the likelihood of changing symptoms such as grinding your teeth later in life is considerably reduced.
The interrelationship of ADD and ADHD is in the symptoms running parallel. Bed wetter’s, much like someone that is diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder, can have a limited attention span, utilize what would be considered inappropriate behavior, can be fidgety suffering often from not being able to sit still for long periods of time, daydream, and not be able to stay on task. As the bed wetting disappears many or all of these symptoms will reduce or disappear entirely and you can notice a more well adjusted and balanced child that is more likeable to have at home.
The negative image and poor self-esteem that can come from bedwetting certainly can have a negative effect upon a bed wetter’s actions and attitudes. We as parents, generally do not recognize issues like poor self-esteem until they are overly prevalent, we don’t believe that the bedwetting really bothers the enuretic. This can help attribute towards diagnosis of ADD in the bed wetter.
As the diagnosis usually comes around the first grade, (The teacher will tell you that she has an inordinate amount of disruptive behavior from your child and that she believes he is ADD. They suggest that you go see your family doctor or pediatrician. The doctors then gives you a prescription for Ritalin or an equivalent for control.) This is not to say that no bed wetter’s are not ADD, but they will generally express some advanced behavioral difficulties as opposed to his counterparts simply due to incorrect sleep. They also do generally possess similar symptoms.
AS IN ANY CASE ALWAYS BE SURE THAT THERE IS NOT AN EXISTING PHYSICAL MEDICAL PROBLEM. Generally with bedwetting medical prognosis comes back negative. If they can have daytime control they can have the same nighttime control. Usually the muscles all work and the bladder is big enough to hold the urine.