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Involuntary urination in children : react quickly

Involuntary urination in children : react quickly
Extract from the article: Involuntary urination is also known as enuresis or nocturnal incontinence. When a person suffers from this condition, they urinate involuntarily while asleep at an age when this should not be happening. However, it doesn't have to happen specifically

Involuntary urination is also known as enuresis or nocturnal incontinence. When a person suffers from this condition, they urinate involuntarily while asleep at an age when this should not be happening. However, it doesn't have to happen specifically at night. In addition, for it to be considered an illness, it must occur at least twice a day for at least three consecutive months in children over the age of four. If this is the case, lifestyle changes need to be made.

Involuntary urination does not yet have a well-defined main cause. However, several factors may play a key role in its onset: these include a small bladder, which is not developed enough to retain the urine produced, an inability to recognise when the bladder is full - in other words, the child sleeps soundly and does not wake up when the bladder is full.This can occur because the nerves that control the bladder have not matured enough, from a lack of hormonal balance, from a urinary tract infection, the need to urinate often, reddish or pinkish urine and pain when urinating also occur in this type of infection.There is also sleep apnoea, a disorder in which a child's breathing is interrupted during sleep.There is also chronic constipation, in which the same muscles are used to defecate as to urinate.As a result, when constipation is prolonged over time, these muscles can become dysfunctional and contribute to enuresis.This condition is often hereditary, so if one of the parents had this problem during childhood, the chances that their children will also have it are high. Finally, stressful situations also favour the onset of involuntary urination in children.

Symptoms and complications

The child or person affected may feel shame or a loss of self-esteem as a result of the problem, so it's important to reassure them.What's more, if enuresis is due to a physical problem and is not treated properly, serious complications can arise.Children can also develop skin rashes on their buttocks and genitals if they sleep in wet underwear.

Treatment and precautions

It is important to go to the bathroom or toilet at regular times during the day and night to try and prevent certain aspects of bedwetting. This problem usually only gets better as the child gets older.If it doesn't, lifestyle changes need to be made, such as limiting fluid intake in the evening.If the situation still does not improve, consult your doctor for medical treatment. In addition to these measures, there are a number of precautions that can help solve the problem: encourage the child to urinate twice before going to bed. Avoid rashes by helping to rinse the buttocks and genital area every morning. Although nocturnal enuresis is common in children and disappears as they mature, in some cases it can persist. If in doubt, consult a doctor.

Gamé KOKO

Author
santé éducation
Editor
Abel OZIH

Involuntary urination is also known as enuresis or nocturnal incontinence. When a person suffers from this condition, they urinate involuntarily while asleep at an age when this should not be happening. However, it doesn't have to happen specifically

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