Definition of Enuresis

Children are born incontinent but usually begin toilet training between 18 months and the age of 2 and become fully trained with no accidents between 2 and 4 years of age.

After the age of 3, if a child does not have full daytime control over their bladder or bowel they should be examined for conditions that may need treatment. If they wet their pants or if they do not have full control over their bowel this is called incontinence.

Definition of Nocturnal Enuresis

If wetting occurs during sleep it is called Enuresis, and if this occurs at night it is called Nocturnal Enuresis. After the age of 4 they too should be medically assessed for other conditions that may cause their enuresis. If there is no underlying cause then treatment for bedwetting could be started.

Enuresis is the involuntary voiding of urine from the bladder which occurs at least twice a month in a child age five or older. Children vary a great deal in their development to be physiologically ready to awaken from sleep aware of the need to urinate. This lack of bladder control development hinders their capability to hold their urine throughout the night.

Definition of Primary Enuresis

Primary enuresis is if the child has never been totally dry for a year. 80%  of children who wet their bed suffer from primary enuresis.

Definition of Secondary Enuresis

If a child has had a dry period of at least a year before the sudden re-appearance of the problem it is known as Secondary enuresis. This is also called sudden onset enuresis. This child usually urinates during the first third of the night and is not aware or does not remember it happening.

Although in 1 percent of cases, enuresis continues into adulthood, most children are continent by adolescence. Aside from wet pajamas, wet bedding and frustrated parents bedwetting itself does not cause much harm unless skin itrritation occurs.

The mental impairment of the child’s self esteem however, can change their personality. Social ostracism - teasing and bullying by peers, especially at sleepovers and camp for example, and the disappointment and rejection by parents can inflict serious  and long lasting wounds to their self-image.