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Bedwetting Treatment in Telemedicine
Bedwetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep. Most children outgrow bedwetting over time, but some continue to wet the bed into later childhood, adolescence, or even adulthood.
Although bedwetting is common, it can be stressful for both patients and families. For many people, especially when it persists beyond the usual childhood years, medication-based Bedwetting Treatment can be an effective option.
What causes bedwetting?
The exact cause of bedwetting is not always clear. It may involve a combination of:
- Too much urine production at night
- A bladder that does not send a strong enough signal to wake the patient
- An overactive bladder
- Difficulty waking from sleep when the bladder is full
In many cases, more than one of these factors may be involved.
When bedwetting needs medical evaluation
Some symptoms suggest that bedwetting may be related to another medical problem. If bedwetting occurs along with:
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination during the day
- Painful urination
- Uncomfortable urination
then evaluation by a primary care physician is important.
If a child was dry at night for at least 6 months and then starts bedwetting again, this is called secondary enuresis. In that case, a medical or psychiatric cause should be considered.
If the child has never been dry at night for a meaningful period of time, this is called primary enuresis.
Should bedwetting be treated?
Whether to treat bedwetting depends on the age of the patient and how much it affects the patient and family. In many cases, bedwetting improves on its own over time.
However, treatment is reasonable when:
- bedwetting is persistent
- it is distressing to the patient or family
- it continues into adolescence or adulthood
- non-medication approaches have been tried and were not effective or acceptable
Our practice focuses on medicine-based treatment for bedwetting.
Medical Bedwetting Treatment options
There are two medicines commonly used to treat bedwetting:
DDAVP
DDAVP works by reducing urine production at night. For patients whose bedwetting is related to nighttime overproduction of urine, this medicine can be very helpful.
Imipramine
Imipramine is another medicine that can be effective for bedwetting. The exact way it works is not fully understood, but it has been shown to help.
When medicine is especially helpful
Medicine may be a good option if:
- bedwetting persists despite waiting for spontaneous improvement
- bedwetting is causing embarrassment or sleep disruption
- the patient or family does not want to use a bed alarm
- a bed alarm was tried and did not work
- the patient is older and bedwetting remains a problem
For adolescents and adults, persistent bedwetting should be evaluated and treatment with medicine should be considered.
How our practice can help
Our self-pay telemedicine practice provides evaluation and treatment for bedwetting using medication-based management.
We can help with:
- Reviewing the pattern of bedwetting
- Determining whether treatment is appropriate
- Discussing medication options
- Monitoring response and side effects
- Helping patients and families decide on the best next step
Take the next step
If bedwetting is continuing into later childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, or if it is affecting sleep and quality of life, a telemedicine visit can be a practical first step. Medication treatment may help reduce or stop bedwetting.
Schedule a telemedicine visit today to discuss bedwetting treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
Bedwetting is the involuntary release of urine during sleep. It is also called nocturnal enuresis.
Bedwetting is common in younger children and often improves over time, but it can continue longer in some patients.
Evaluation is recommended if bedwetting is associated with thirst, excessive urination, painful urination, or if it starts again after the child had been dry for 6 months or more.
The two commonly used medicines are DDAVP and imipramine.
No. This practice focuses on treatment with medicine.
Yes. Some patients continue to have bedwetting into adolescence or adulthood, and medication treatment may be appropriate.
Take the next step
A telemedicine visit with Dr. Sangal can be a practical first step toward answers and a plan.
Self-pay · Telemedicine for residents of California, Massachusetts & Michigan