Bedwetting occurs when you lose control of your bladder in the night while sleeping. The medical term for bedwetting is nocturnal (nighttime) enuresis. Bedwetting can be quite serious and cause one to feel uncomfortable, but in many cases, it is normal and may just be due to excessive water consumption before sleeping.
Bedwetting is quite common among children and considered a standard developmental stage for some children. However, it can be a symptom of underlying disease or illness in adults. Bedwetting happens to about 2 percent of adults, which can be traced to various causes and may require treatment.
The 2 Types of Nocturnal Enuresis
- Primary enuresis: It means a youngster who has always wet the bed and never had control over their bladder at night.
- Secondary enuresis: It occurs when a youngster has bladder control at night for at least 6 months before losing it and starting to wet the bed once more.
The primary condition is far more frequent. A doctor should examine older kids or teenagers with secondary enuresis. In this age group, bedwetting may be a symptom of a urinary tract infection or other health concerns, neurological (brain-related) problems, stress, or other problems.