Is bedwetting a disease? Is there a definition of bedwetting?
Bedwetting behavior is a behavior that can occur day or night in some children up to a certain age. It can occur during sleep at night or during any activity during the day. It may be incontinence of all or part of the urine (dribbling). This may be considered normal during the toilet training period when the child is taught urinary control. However, it is not normal after a certain age in children with normal mental development according to international classifications. While some children have no urinary control from birth (primary); in some children, the urinary control gained may be lost again after a disease (such as urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy) or a psychosocial factor (such as divorce, birth of a sibling, loss of parents) (secondary).
Although incontinence behavior may seem like a simple problem, it is a problem that significantly affects the daily life and quality of life of families and children. It is one of the most common problems among mental illnesses seen in young children. Approximately 20% of 5-year-old children wet the bed. Urinary incontinence at night is 3 times more common than during the day. It is often seen in combination with other mental illnesses (such as attention problems, aggressive behavior, low social competence, low school performance, anxiety and depression).
Until what age is bedwetting considered normal?
After what age should it be considered a problem?
According to the definitions of the American Psychiatric Association (APA - DSM-V) and the World Health Organization (WHO - ICD), "enuresis (urinary incontinence)" is defined as occurring for at least 3 months and at least 2 times a week after the age of 5. It is called primary if the child has never been able to control urine since birth, and secondary if there is a period of urine control longer than 6 months at any stage of development. Regardless of the age at which secondary enuresis occurs, a doctor should be consulted without delay as it gives clues as a symptom of important diseases.
Is bedwetting also seen in adults?
In some physical and mental diseases, bedwetting can also be seen in adults. It may accompany urological problems, mental deficiency or neurological problems, dementia in the elderly and almost always urinary tract infection. Which problems cause bedwetting? What are the wrong methods applied by families in bedwetting? What problems can be caused by threats or intimidation? The role of genetic factors in the emergence of bedwetting behavior in children is well known.
Studies have shown that children with enuresis in their families experience this problem at a higher rate than other children. Again, problems related to bladder physiology (sudden and involuntary contractions in the bladder muscle, decreased bladder functional capacity, problems in the release of hormones that regulate body fluid balance and psychological factors can cause enuresis. Incorrect behaviors during toilet training (punishment, intimidation), diapers for older children, significant changes in family order (such as the birth of a sibling or divorce) can lead to enuresis. Wrong attitudes such as scaring and punishing the child may prolong and exacerbate the problem rather than solving it, and other problems such as depression may be added to the picture.