Adulthood Bed Wetting - The Secret Shame

By Pat Smith

When we think of people urinating in bed we usually think of small children learning to use the potty or much older people who are unable to control themselves. There are, however, a good number of otherwise healthy adults who suffer with this condition.

Adults who involuntarily wet the bed during sleep often feel embarrassed and afraid to mention their issue to anyone, even their own doctor. This is an unfortunate mistake.

Adult bed wetting, or adult nocturnal enuresis, is a condition which plagues many men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. Strictly speaking adult bed wetting occurs when a mature person cannot control his or her bladder during sleep and ends up wetting the bed. This loss of bladder control in bed may or may not actually wake the person from sleep.

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 decades of dryness.

Physical ailments could be the underlying 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 bodily injuries, to bladder disease to anxiety and emotional stress. Certain medical treatments 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 medical professional 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! - 29887

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