Bedwetting medical therapy
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Bedwetting Microchapters |
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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D., [2] Phone:216-444-5595 Professor of Surgery, Residency Program Director, Section of Urologic Oncology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic.
Medical Therapy
Tricyclic antidepressant prescription drugs with anti-muscarinic properties (i.e. Amitriptyline, Imipramine orNortriptyline) may be used to treat bedwetting with much success for periods up to 3 months.
Another medication, Desmopressin, is a synthetic replacement for the missing burst of antidiuretic hormone. Desmopressin is usually used in the form of Desmopressin acetate, DDAVP. Whether used daily or occasionally, DDAVP simply replaces the hormone for that night with no cumulative effect.
Some psychologists and experts recommend the use of night-time training devices such as a bedwetting alarm to helpcondition the child first to wake up at the sensation of moisture and then at the sensation of a full bladder. Success with alarms is increased and relapses reduced when combined in programs which may include bladder muscle exercises, dietary changes, mental imagery, stress reduction, and other supportive activities.
Diapers can reduce the embarrassment and mess of wetting incidents. Diaper sizes for enuresis cover individuals from 38 lbs (17 kg) through adult sizes.
Experts generally agree that parents' understanding that sleepwetting is not the child’s fault strongly increases the child's willingness to help deal with it. Although historically, physical punishment such as spanking was the normal method of incentivizing older children to stop sleep wetting, anti-spanking advocates have discouraged any corporal punishment for this purpose. Punishments including restrictions, teasing, or shaming, whether actual or threatened, are counterproductive. Encouragement of self reliance allows for the child's own natural and native development to acquire the ability to sleep dry on his or her own terms.