Nocturnal Enuresis - Bedwetting

Bedwetting can have a significant impact on your childs life as it often leaves them feeling ashamed and embarrassed. Often children who have to wear pull ups at night are left feeling like a baby and this prevents them from wanting to have sleepovers or stay away from home for the night in case they have an accident.

Causes of Bedwetting

There are many causes for nocturnal enuresis, family history, medical conditions and stress are all possible triggers for children.

Slow Development of the system that allows the bladder to slowly distend during sleep without emptying is a common problem. This is often due to the hormone ADH which limits the amount of urine produced particularly during sleep is not produced in adequate amounts. It is not unusual to find this has been a problem for either one or both parents growing up
Small functional bladder capacity can also be an issue – this means that the bladder will empty more regularly despite not being full. You may have noticed that your child needs to go to the toilet urgently and frequently than other children and them may often wet the bed more than once in the night. Again, this can be developmental delay and may right it self as your child grows.
Stress can impact all of us but for children this may present suddenly in the form of bedwetting. Common stressors are, new baby in the home, problems at school, bullying, family changes or problems, the loss of a family, friend or a pet or moving homes or areas are all possible triggers.
Medical Conditions must be checked for such as bladder infections or kidney problems can be possible causes.
Deep sleep or sleep issues could prevent your child from noticing and failing to respond to a full bladder. It could also be that their body has got into a habit of relaxing all the muscles in deep sleep so that the child doesn’t notice the signals.
Constipation is also a common cause of bedwetting. When the bowel is full is can push against the bladder, reducing the bladders capacity to hold urine.

The first stop in the process for resolving this problem is always your family doctor, they will be able to help you pinpoint the reason and recommend some solutions for you.

Treatment Options:

Medication may be trialed to help alter the amount of ADH or to reduce irritability in the bladder which may cause the frequent urge to urinate.
Bedwetting alarms can be used which trigger when the child begins to urinate – the theory being that the child will wake up and overtime this will create an awareness and wake before they start.
Hypnosis works by helping to get the brain and bladder to communicate more effectively.

Does Hypnosis Work?

Studies such as that shown below and many since have resulted in a significant number of children either experiencing continuous dry nights or an improvement on the number of dry nights.

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The largest study regarding the use of medical hypnosis for bedwetting was a series of 257 children conducted by Dan Kohen, MD, (1984).

*Dry was defined as 30 nights in a row and one year later with no relapse - Improved was defined as dry more than 50% of the time.*

Hypnosis As A Treatment

Hypnotherapy works by helping to get the brain and bladder to communicate more effectively so that when your childs bladder gets full, it clearly sends a message to their brain to wake your child up.

Through these sessions I teach them about how the bladder works allowing them to build their knowledge and confidence and access their inner resources necessary to stop bedwetting. The hypnosis is personalised by using visualisation techniques, metaphors and relaxation techniques to help your child stay dry overnight.

These sessions are relaxed and fun and you as a parent are always present ensuring your child feels confident and safe.