The Discomfort of Nocturnal Enuresis – Adult Bed Wetting
Though it's often under reported, many adults wet their bed unintentionally throughout their lives and are too scared or ashamed to even tell their doctors. Bed wetting, usually associated with children, could be a sign of a more serious condition in adults.
Adults who involuntarily wet themselves during sleep often feel embarrassed and afraid to mention their problem to anyone, even their own doctor. This is an unfortunate mistake.
It is not only sickly older adults who suffer from uncontrollable bed wetting, but also younger adults and even teenagers who are healthy and active. While daytime incontinence could also be a problem with many people older people, adult bedwetting seems to affect people from all walks of life and ages.
There are two distinct types of adult bed wetters. They are loosely broken into people who have wet their beds all their lives and people who have only started wetting their beds after a long period (years) of dryness.
Physical ailments could be the root cause of bed wetting in adults who have suffered from nocturnal enuresis all their lives. These people are said to be suffering from primary nocturnal enuresis and it can be difficult to treat in some cases.
Adult onset enuresis, or secondary nocturnal enuresis, is a type of bed wetting which adults are said to suffer from when they develop their habits later in life and have not spent their entire lives suffering.
The causes of adult bed wetting are numerous, from physical abnormalities, to undiagnosed internal injuries, to bladder cancer to over anxiety and emotional stress. Certain medications may also cause adults to wet their beds when they never had issues before. Even excessive alcohol and caffeine can affect the chances of an adult urinating in his or her sleep, especially as one gets older.
Talking to your doctor about your bed wetting issues is one way ensure your health. Treatment could be as simple as a few behavioral changes, or you could undergo tests for a more serious condition.
Adult bed wetting is a serious condition which could be the first sign of a serious health problem. Bladder cancer, diabetes or an unknown internal injury are all different causes of adult bed wetting in some cases. When in doubt, see a doctor!