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Incontinence or ‘leaky bladder’ is usually seen as an adult problem. It’s quite common among the elderly and also in women, where it can happen during pregnancy, after birth and during menopause.
When it comes to children, though, incontinence is seen merely as ‘a phase’; something they grow out of. Yet that’s not always the case.
Where bed-wetting begins
Bed-wetting, or night-time incontinence, is medically referred to as nocturnal enuresis. It’s common in children under 3 years old who do not have full bladder control but sometimes it continues into later years and even into adulthood.
Bed-wetting can be caused by many factors…
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Anxiety, stress or fear
- Life-altering changes such as moving house, family arguments, divorce, grief or loss, or a new sibling’s arrival
- Bladder or nerve issues: it’s always important that the child is checked out by a doctor
Treatment for children can range from alarms that waken the child, bladder training, positive reinforcement and fluid management to prescription medications or wakening them during sleep, which is disruptive for parents and child alike.
Possible causes of daytime wetting include…
- The child ignoring the signal or urge to urinate
- UTIs
- An overactive bladder, where the child can’t get to the bathroom in time
- An underactive bladder, where the child does not feel the urge to go
- Constipation, which causes pressure on the bladder
- Neurological conditions affecting bladder control
I see many clients who have explored all these options and are no nearer to finding a cause. This can be very frustrating for all concerned.
A school-day nightmare
This was the case for Eva, whom I recently saw. She had been bed-wetting since she was 3 but daytime urinary incontinence was also a problem. Now aged 12, this was extremely upsetting for her. She had school and social activities to deal with and she dreaded ‘having an accident’.
I saw Eva for two consultations. We discussed at length what was happening and Eva’s general health and personality.
Before selecting a remedy in these cases, I look at specifics, such as what sleep stage the child is in when wetting the bed, whether it wakes them up, how they respond or feel about it and if it affects their social development. Some children may feel embarrassed and upset, for example, while others may not seem overly bothered.
I also consider if there is any incontinence when they cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise. I establish if they have experienced any life-altering changes of the types described above, before looking at their general confidence, anxieties, insecurities and physical and emotional health.
Having pieced together an overall picture of the child, I then choose a remedy that fits not just the cause of incontinence (if known) but also the child’s typical response, personality and physical and emotional symptoms.
In this case, both Eva and her mum were delighted with the rapid change that followed.
Her mother describes the transformation…
“Eva has had bladder leaking issues since she was 3 years old. The incidents mostly happened at night during her sleep but occasionally during the day.
I tried different techniques, such as stopping her from drinking after 6 pm or a reward chart for “good” nights but the incontinence incidences didn’t stop.
Now at 12 years old, Eva was leaking both during the day as well as at night and was feeling ashamed about it. After two consultations with Eileen, she was totally cured! She no longer has any bladder problems and feels very confident. I would recommend Eileen if you or your child is struggling with urinary dysfunction or bladder incontinence. Homeopathy takes a gentle and soft approach in healing, which is so important for a child.”
Eva’s mum
Dublin 6
Rediscover stress-free bedtimes
Is your child having problems with night-time or daytime wetting? For a gentle, natural approach to their recovery (or yours) you can book your first appointment here and help them rediscover stress-free bedtimes.
Consultations available: Dublin, Ireland & Worldwide Via Video Call
Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).