Bedwetting, or enuresis, is a very common problem especially among children. Fifty percent of children who reach the age of two wet the bed at night; by the age of four the figure drops to 10 to 15 percent. Less than 5 percent still wet at age 12. This condition is more common on boys than on girls, and children who were underweight at birth more than those with normal birth weights.

Treatment

1. There is much evidence that the primary cause of bedwetting is allergy. Bedwetting in children is associated with a miuch higher rate of hay fever, hives, urinary tract infection, and food and drug allergies in both parents.

About 5.5 million children wet the bed each night because of a food allergy, according to the American College of Allergists. Cow's milk was the offending agent in about 60 percent of cases; chocolate, eggs, grains, and citrus fruits were also incriminated.

Removing certain foods from the diet brought an almost instant cureto bedwetting, according to the study. An earlier study revealed that in a group of 60 bedwetters, 24 were sensitive to milk, 20 to wheat, 17 to egg, 13 to corn, 4 to chicken and orange, and smaller numbers to pork, tomato, peanut, beef, apple, fish, berries, peas, chocolate, rye, and cauliflower. One researcher reported success with a diet which also eliminated foods containing salicylates and foods containing additives (including sugar and honey) in addition to milk and chocolate. Dr. B Feingold, who is famous for his work with hyperactive children, reports that hyperactive children have a high incidence of bedwetting, and that his diet is often helpful.

2. Constipation may contribute to bedwetting. A large mass of fecal material can decrease bladder capacity. A high-fiber diet of fruits and vegetables, and adequate water intake daily can correct encourages the body to move wastes more frequently in order to eliminate constipation.

3. Various exercises have been recommended in the treatment of enuresis. The most common is to teach the child to stop and start the urine flow each time the child urinates . Some bedwetters benefit in six weeks, others may require longer time. This exercise trains bladder control.

4. Check for health conditions such as anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, toxemia, or presence of intestinal parasites and have these treated immediately.

5. Many children have a temporary cure of their bedwetting during the summer months when they are more physically active with outdoor play. The bedwetter should be encouraged to increase physical activity such as sports.

6. Foot massage or accupressure may assist in inducing proper bladder function.

7. Many children who have stopped bedwetting have a return of the problem during the cold months. Dress the child in warm clothes especially when going going outdoors to avoid chilling which further induces urinary movement.

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