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BEDWETTING: NATURAL SOLUTIONS Bedwetting is an upsetting and embarrassing experience for children and it can be the cause of great frustration for parents. Nighttime bedwetting, also called nocturnal enuresis (N.E.), occurs in approximately 50% of all three-year olds and usually stops by the time the child is six. About 10% of all six-year olds continue to suffer from this condition and 3% of fourteen-year olds still wet their beds. Nocturnal enuresis can be primary, which means the child may not have become fully potty trained, and is usually easy to grow out of. Secondary N.E. is a reversion to bedwetting after being completely trained. Most secondary N.E. is caused by emotional issues that can be as simple as moving from one house to another or as complex as experiencing a family break-up or death. A very few cases of N.E. have medical causes and it’s commonly seen in people who have cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism. Sometimes bedwetting is caused by a full colon that puts pressure on the bladder and causes bedwetting. Treating a child for constipation with daily fiber supplements or aloe juice may help to alleviate bedwetting. Researchers in Russia found that almost all the children in their study not only stopped wetting their beds when they were given aloe, but also became noticeably less irritable. A few continued to wet the bed, but they did so much less frequently. Mix aloe juice with an equal amount of non-acidic fruit juice. Use one-fourth to one cup a day depending on the child’s age and weight. Proper parental care is critical to helping your child deal with bedwetting. Criticizing and punishing a child for wetting the bed and getting angry with him or her usually worsens the condition. Keep in mind that your child is unaware of his or her actions while sleeping. N.E. is very embarrassing to a child, so try not to tell other family members or friends about. This will prevent the child from feeling guilty and ashamed. Giving positive feedback and praise for dry nights may help. Also, having the child help with washing bed linens and making the bed can teach him or her some of the consequences of having a wet bed. This must be done without malice. Other changes involve beginning new bedtime habits. These can include the following which help train the bladder to perform on a regular basis: *Always have your child urinate before going to bed. *Make sure they’re having regular bowel movements. *Wake the child up every day at the same time using an alarm. Also, waking the child and taking him or her to the bathroom when you’re ready to go to bed might prevent an accident from occurring later in the night. *Have the child learn to do bladder exercises (Kegel exercises). By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles these exercises help prevent the bladder from pushing down on the urethra. Certain nutritional changes may help. Most importantly, do not give your child anything to drink in the two hours before bed. Have him or her avoid anything with caffeine, which is a diuretic and can stimulate the bladder. Remember that caffeine is found in certain teas, coffee, most sodas, and chocolate. Also, have your child tested for food allergies which often cause bedwetting. Cow’s milk is a common allergen and simply eliminating it could solve N.E. B vitamins help combat stress which is often the cause of secondary N.E. and calcium and magnesium can control bladder spasms. James Balch, M.D. and Phyllis Balch, C.N.C. state that they have seen N.E. relieved in a matter of just a few days when supplements of magnesium, vitamin B2 and vitamin B5 were added to the diet, all allergy-causing foods were eliminated (corn, wheat, cow’s milk, peanuts, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, fish and eggs), and extra protein was consumed (Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2000). Zinc is another supplement that can improve bladder function and also enhance the immune system. Acupuncture and acupressure have received high marks for treating bedwetting. A study comparing acupuncture to the prescription drug DDAVP indicated that acupuncture alone was as effective as DDAVP (Capozza N. Treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis: A Comparative Study Between Desmopressin and Acupuncture Used Separately or in Association. JAMA, 1992;267:1741). Acupressure has had similar positive results in studies comparing it to drugs and it has the advantages of being non-invasive, painless and cost-effective. According to Dr. Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., the drug DDAVP works well while a child is taking it, but it doesn’t re-train the bladder or provide a cure. As soon as it’s stopped, the bedwetting continues. He recommends using behavior modification like alarms and techniques mentioned previously in this article to attain long-lasting results. Finally, several herbs can be useful for treating N.E. Buchu, corn silk, and parsley support actions of the bladder and regulate urinary function. Oat straw and lemon balm are calming, promote restful sleep, and help combat stress. Nettles, mullein, horsetail, and plantain are drying herbs. Any combination of these herbs should be taken before 3:00 p.m. so they have time to work before bedtime. The good news about bedwetting is that most children outgrow it over time. By taking a positive, supportive attitude, encouraging regular bedtime habits, making some dietary changes, and adding a few helpful herbs and supplements, N.E. doesn’t have end up becoming a life-long stigma for your child or a lasting frustration for you. Debbie Markel, Certified Herbalist and Certified Natural Health Professional, is the proprietor of Apothecarian Herbals in Powhatan. She can be reached at 598-5352 or at www.herbalconsultant.com. |