Bedwetting adults: causes and treatment

By
Segun Kolawole
-

Bedwetting adults is not a statement that you hear often. And if the statement is referring to you, then it is definitely one that you don’t want to hear. It is bad enough for a kid to bed wet, an adult bedwetting is hugely embarrassing and stressful

This is even more pronounced in our type of society. We are all quick to judge and make connections where there aren’t any. Sometimes spiritual or cultural beliefs come in. But most times, what is actually needed is a visit to the urologist.

Imagine as an adult, you have a lady or a guy over and you both slept in the same bed. On waking up, you realize that you have just drenched both the bed and your partner in your urine. Yes, that is likely to mess up your day really quickly.

But let us take a step back from all the weirdness surrounding this issue and look at it objectively. What are the possible causes of this medical condition, and how can you treat it?

Adult bedwetting: Is it your fault?

Adult bedwetting is more of an issue than we care to admit, both in Nigeria and in other countries. The stigma and shame that we have associated with it has made it’s control and management difficult.

It is even possible that many that are having to deal with this are too ashamed to talk to a doctor about it. And it might be that the cause is something that can be easily fixed.

You should know that bedwetting in adults is quite different from what kids go through. You should also know that the condition is involuntary and it is not your fault. This might not necessarily make you feel any better, but these are facts.

How your urine is formed

To properly understand what causes your bedwetting as an adult, it is good to know how urine is formed in the first place. Now, urine is produced by the kidneys and moves to the bladder through ureters.

When it gets to the bladders, it is stored until it is full and the urine passes out through the urethra. Urine passes out when the bladder contracts making the urinary sphincter to relax. The sphincter is like a a door that keeps urine in or releases it.

If you have any anatomical or neurological issue with any part of this entire urine formation process, then you might likely bed wet.

Causes of adult bedwetting

There are a few reasons why this might be happening to you, here are some:

  • Genetics
    Check your family history, see if you have parents or family members that struggled with bedwetting. If you do, then you are more predisposed to it yourself.
  • Hormonal issues
    Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a substance produced by the body that tells the kidneys to reduces urine production. Now, sometimes, the body does not produce enough ADH or the kidneys are no longer sensitive to it.
    This may lead to the kidneys producing too much urine at night (nocturnal polyuria). This can cause bedwetting in adults, but could also be a Type 1 diabetes symptom. So, go see your doctor
  • Medications
    Some medications for insomnia, psychiatric problems, and hypnotics may increase your risk. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you are taking any of these.
  • “Small bladder”
    Some people with a “small bladder” may experience bedwetting even when they become adults. Well, their bladders aren’t small in the sense of reduced size. It only means that the Functional Bladder Capacity (FBC) is small and can only hold so much urine.

Possible treatments for adult bedwetting

The first step in your treatment is to make an appointment with a urologist. When you go for your appointment, make sure you have some information handy. Information like:

  • when your bedwetting episodes happen during the night
  • drinking pattern; how much fluid you drink at night
  • what you drink; water, sugary drinks
  • how you urinate; dribbles, strong stream

Your doctor will use these information to determine which tests would be needed. You might have to go through physical examinations, urine culture, and even neurological evaluations.

As for the treatment, some times the bedwetting is caused by an underlying condition. Fixing this condition usually also fixes the bedwetting.

Behavioural treatments could also be effective. The use of bedwetting alarm systems, and reducing fluid intake at night.

Surgery might be a last resort when all these other methods have proven ineffective. These surgical procedures come with their own risks, so they should be discussed properly and deeply considered. Some of these procedures include:

  • Sacral nerve stimulation – sacral nerve roots are given a jolt which helps to increase the tone of the external sphincters.
  • Clam cytoplasty – here the bladder is cut up and a piece of the intestine is placed in the cut.
  • Detrusor myectomy – A portion of the external detrusor muscles surrounding the bladder is removed. This helps to strengthen bladder contractions and also reduce their number.

Treatment with drugs is also an option. Drugs like Desmopressin, Darifenacin, and so on have been effective in treating bedwetting in adults.

No shame here, please

There are effective treatments available, you can be over this uncomfortable period of your life. You only need to overcome the unpleasantness and open up. Go see a doctor, talk with other adults that are dealing with the same thing.

You would be surprised at the number of adults going through the same thing that are also keeping it secret like you. Who knows, you may find out something that works for them that might also work for you.

There is a helpful thread about bedwetting in adults here. It is only shameful if you allow it to be. Stay safe, and dry.

SHARE
Segun Kolawole
Segun is an ardent lover of fashion, reading and writing. When Segun isn't swimming baking or cooking he is punching away keys somewhere on the African continent. He is a creative with a penchant for finding (and in some cases creating) new and interesting ways of doing things. For more details, send an email to info@healthfacts.ng

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

161 COMMENTS

  2. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!

  6. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, could check this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a big part of folks will miss your great writing due to this problem.

  8. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!

  9. Hi, I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  10. I was very pleased to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and I have you book-marked to check out new things on your website.

  12. Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

  15. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  16. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say superb blog!

  17. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  20. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this issue here on your website.

  21. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.

  22. What i do not realize is actually how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-appreciated than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You know therefore significantly in terms of this matter, produced me individually consider it from so many various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be fascinated unless it’s something to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!

  35. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!

  38. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  39. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!

  40. Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!

  47. Hello there I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I dont have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb jo.

  53. I have been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.

  56. Hi outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work? I have no expertise in computer programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I just had to ask. Appreciate it!

  65. It is perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may I want to recommend you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things approximately it!

  66. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks

  67. Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  71. You’re so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read something like this before. So great to find somebody with some unique thoughts on this subject. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the web, someone with some originality!

  72. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  73. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thank you

  74. Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!

  76. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

  77. Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  81. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  82. I don’t know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your website. It appears like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before. Thanks

  88. Ищете надежного подрядчика для устройства стяжки пола в Москве? Обращайтесь к нам на сайт styazhka-pola24.ru! Мы предлагаем услуги по залитию стяжки пола любой сложности и площади, а также гарантируем быстрое и качественное выполнение работ.

  91. My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page again.

  96. С механизированной штукатуркой стен от mehanizirovannaya-shtukaturka-moscow.ru ремонт становится не только быстрым, но и качественным. Попробуйте самостоятельно, вы не разочаруетесь!

  97. I have been surfing online more than three hours these days, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It’s lovely worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the net might be much more useful than ever before.

  98. Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your site in internet explorer, could check this? IE still is the marketplace leader and a big part of folks will miss your fantastic writing due to this problem.

  102. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!

  111. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  115. Howdy! I realize this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask. Does building a well-established blog like yours take a lot of work? I’m completely new to operating a blog but I do write in my diary everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Appreciate it!

  134. Hey I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Google for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a incredible post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I dont have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.

  140. hey there and thank you for your information I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again soon.

  141. I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome weblog!

  149. This design is wicked! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  153. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

LEAVE A REPLY