YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD SLEEP DRIER

Relax. You're not alone.

Primary nocturnal enuresis, or bed-wetting, is more common than you think. There are approximately 5 million children age 6 or older in the United States who suffer from this problem. While most children outgrow bed-wetting by age 6, and another 15% of older children stop bed-wetting each year without treatment, for many it can continue on for years. This can potentially cause embarrassment and shame that may in turn restrict social interaction and development.

What's more, having a child who wets the bed can put a lot of stress on the family. Night after night of laundry can leave parents feeling exhausted, not to mention frustrated about how to deal with the child's bed-wetting.

Wet sheets are only part of the problem.

Bed-wetting can affect your child's self-esteem. It can make your child subject to teasing and embarrassment.

This can limit your child's participation in certain activities - like slumber parties, campouts, and summer camp. Since this happens during the years when children are building friendships and developing their self-images, it can be of particular concern.

Encourage your child to talk about feelings - and correct any misconceptions about bed-wetting. Let your child know that millions of other children also wet the bed.

Bed-wetting is no one's fault.

While doctors believe there may be a number of reasons why a child wets the bed, there is one thing about which they agree: It's not your child's fault.

That's why it's important not to punish or humiliate your child after an "accident." However, you may want to teach your child to take responsibility for remaking the bed and changing into dry pyjamas.

Some possible reasons for bed-wetting
Heredity. Bed-wetting has been found to run in families, so if both parents have a history of bed-wetting, their children will have a 77 percent chance of wetting the bed. Even if only one parent wet the bed, a child still has a 44 percent chance of wetting the bed.

Hormones. Studies suggest some children who wet the bed don't produce enough of a hormone at night. This is called antidiuretic hormone and it helps concentrate urine so that the bladder doesn't overfill.

Before beginning any treatment, your healthcare professional will complete a medical history and physical examination to rule out specific medical problems as the cause of your child's bed-wetting.

Whatever the specific cause for bed-wetting might be, it is not usually caused by serious medical problems.

There is help for bed-wetting.

Simple changes in your child's routine or behaviour may help your child sleep drier. In addition, there are treatments available. The most common options your doctor may recommend are listed here.

Dietary Habits: If your child has a history of allergies, a change in diet may be beneficial. In addition, consider limiting beverages after dinner and remind your child to go to the bathroom before bed.

Conditioning Therapy: Bed-wetting alarm devices attach to pyjamas and are activated by moisture. Such products teach a child to wake upon sensing a full bladder. These, too, may provide help.

Medications: One medication commonly used to treat bed-wetting is DDAVP(r) (desmopressin acetate). Available as a nasal spray since 1989, it is now available in easy-to-take tablets. Imipramine, in tablet form, is another pharmacologic treatment option. Be sure to follow the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional when using any medication.

Treatment with DDAVP tablets.

Your doctor may prescribe DDAVP Tablets to help control bed-wetting. Used as directed, DDAVP Tablets have been proven to reduce the number of wet nights. Be sure to follow the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional when using this or any other medication.

Clinical studies in patients 6 years of age and older have proven that DDAVP Tablets help control bed-wetting, enabling children to have more dry nights. It is important to restrict nighttime beverages to avoid overloading fluids, which can lead to significant health consequences. In controlled clinical trials, some patients taking DDAVP Tablets experienced headache (4% DDAVP, 3% sugar pill).

If your child experiences any unusual symptoms while taking this, or any other medicine, be sure to call your doctor or healthcare provider.

How to take DDAVP tablets.

• DDAVP Tablets are small and easy to take. Just follow these simple directions:
• Be sure to take DDAVP Tablets as directed by your doctor.
• If your child has been using DDAVP Nasal Spray, he or she may switch to tablets the next night.
• DDAVP Tablets should be taken with a small amount of liquid at bedtime.
• Once dry nights are achieved, your child should continue to take DDAVP Tablets as directed