Bed Wetting

Bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis) in children, is a condition when a child passes urine on bed unconsciously during his/her sleep time. Majority of toddlers stay dry all night by age four. Beyond age five, one out of five still wets the bed, but at six, the numbers drop to just one in ten, and by the time children reach puberty bed-wetting stops completely. If a child continues to bed-wet beyond the age five, then child need consultation to the doctor. In Ayurveda, it’s called “Shayyamutrata” is a vaata disease in Ayurveda as end of pee happens to be the capacity of vata. As indicated by Ayurveda, when it is cover by tama and kapha, rest is caused. This may occur in day time additionally, yet in night, loss of control of Prana and Vyana over Apana and encompassing of apana by Kapha and tama happens together and the youngster accidentally pee in the bed.

Common causes for bed-wetting

• An early attempt for toilet-training
• Excessive fluid intake during late evening
• Delayed bladder maturation
• Excessive sweet foods at night
• Excess sleep
• Mentally immaturity
• Fear, Stress or anxiety
• Conflict between parents or among siblings
• Sense of insecurity
• Nightmares
• Blockage /Constipation,
• Intestinal worm invasion/Intestinal worm infestation
• Urinary tract infection
• Hereditary etc

Symptoms

• A child passes urine on bed unconsciously during sleep time
• You may notice painful urination in your child if there is urinary tract infection.
• Snoring during sleep.

Treatment

It is better to first find out the exact cause. The main aim to treat bed-wetting is to strengthen the nervous system and urinary tract. Initially, try taking some precautionary measures like not giving too much water or fluids close to bed time, ensuring that the child urinates before going to bed, and to make the child wake up in the night at least once to visit the toilet. If the reason behind bed wetting is psychological, counselling should form the main course of treatment. Firstly, do not make the child feel guilty about it, else, they will continue to wet more and more. They should be told that it is only a temporary problem, and can be brought under control. To encourage the child, reward the child when he/she does not wet the bed, as it would boost her confidence. Ayurveda suggests de-worming as in many cases, treatment for intestinal worms have provided relief. Medicinal herbs such as Shilajit, Khadira, Hareetaki, Guggulu, Shati, Haridra, Chandraprabha vati, Triphala choorna, can provide relief.

• If you suspect worms in your child, deworm with Krimighna vati or vidangasava under Ayurvedic physician’s supervision
• Avoid giving more fluids after evening. Instead, give sufficient water during day time.
• Avoid giving beverages containing caffeine/ coffee/ tea.
• Cultivate early dinner habit and avoid late night dinner.
• Instruct your child to urinate every 2 hours during day time and avoid urgency. remind your child regularly
• Encourage your child to go the toilet twice before going to bed.
• Don’t try to punish the child, it will worsen the condition.
• Counsel and talk well with the child to reduce stress and emotional disturbance.
• Appreciate and praise the child when he doesn’t wet the bed.
• Give regular oil massage with Dhanvantara taila or vaatahar tailaa to your child’s lower abdomen.
• Bladder, pelvic muscle strengthening exercises and certain asanas are very beneficial.