Even though some might say otherwise, it’s perfectly normal for older children to have accidents at night. Bedwetting can happen to kids of any age, and even some adults, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look for ways to help our child.
Bedwetting can be embarrassing and make children feel ashamed. They might still need pull-ups at night, and we may often have to change their sheets in the morning.
While searching for a solution, you might come across a bedwetting alarm and wonder if it could help.
A is worn on the body and has a sensor that detects moisture. When it senses wetness, it triggers an alarm to wake the child so they can go to the bathroom.
What Is Nocturnal Enuresis?
Chronic bedwetting, also referred to as nocturnal enuresis (NE), is a kind of urine incontinence in which a person unknowingly wets their bed while sleeping.
NE generally affects children over the age of five who wet their beds at least twice a week for three months or more. Although it may affect children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly, it is more frequent among youngsters. In fact, it is the most often discussed concern among parents of children with urine incontinence (UI).
Here s what research says about NE in various age groups:
Five years: 20%
Seven years: 15%
Ten years: 10%
Teens: 2%
Adults: 0.5 – 1%
NE is more prevalent in males than in girls.
What Causes Bed Wetting
Genetics:
Children with NE often inherit the disease from their parents. Studies show:
44% of children with NE had at least one parent who wet the bed as a youngster.
77% of children with NE had both parents who were bedwetting when they were younger.
Psychological Factors:
PTSD, stress, terror, and sexual abuse may all produce NE in children.
Lifestyle Choices:
Diet and toilet habits may also contribute to NE.
Other conditions:
Certain health conditions may cause NE in children, including:
Constipation
Cystitis
Diabetes insipidus
Low amounts of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Medical issues (such as spina bifida)
Neurological problems (such as autism and ADHD)
Overactive bladder (OAB)
Sleeping problems
Small bladder capacity
Urethral blockages
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
What Is a Bedwetting Alarm?
A bedwetting alarm, often known as an enuresis alarm, may help children quit bedwetting.
The alarm detects pee using a moisture sensor. When your kid begins to wet the bed, the sensor activates the alarm to wake them up and avoid further mishaps.
Hobart and Willie Mowrer designed these alarms in 1938. Their first concept included a bed pad with an electrical connection that sounded a bell when urine touched it.
Today, there are several varieties of pee alarms to meet diverse demands. Modern alarms rely on a moisture sensor put in your child s pajamas or on their arm. When the sensor detects even a small quantity of pee, it sounds an alarm to wake your kid so they may use the restroom. Some alarms are loud enough to wake up parents, allowing them to aid their children.
While most alarms have similar characteristics (moisture sensor, volume control, wearable style), their prices range from $50 to more than $150.
Types of Bedwetting Alarms
There are several various types of bedwetting alarms, so select the one that works best for your family. Here is a glance at the three major types:
