Essential Oils For Bedwetting:
Bedwetting, also referred to as nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence, is when children who are old enough to control their bladder pee at night during sleep.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, in the US, an estimated 5 to 7 million children age 6 and older wet the bed. The condition can affect anyone, however, it is twice more common in boys than in girls.
When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor if your kid:
- is 7 years of age or older and still wetting the bed;
- has swelling of the ankles or feet;
- is eating or drinking much more than usual;
- has to pee often;
- complains of pain or a burning sensation when urinating;
- snores at night;
- starts to wet his pants during the day;
- suddenly starts wetting the bed after being consistently dry for at least 180 days.
Complications
It can lead to behavior problems due to the embarrassment and guilt a child feels. Other complications include:
- rashes on the child’s genital area and bottom, particularly if the child sleeps in wet underwear;
- loss of opportunities for social activities, like – camp and sleepovers.
Causes
For most children, the condition is caused by having a small bladder. Also, bedwetting can be caused by an underlying health condition, like:
- emotional distress, like – moving to a new school or being bullied;
- type 1 diabetes – it is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes include – feeling thirsty all the time or tiredness;
- the nerves attached to the bladder may not be fully developed;
- toilet training too early;
- a urinary tract infection – it is an infection of the urinary tract that is usually caused by pathogenic bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder. Your child may also have other symptoms, like – pain or fever;
- sleep apnea – it is a sleep disorder that is described by periods of shallow breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep;
- constipation – if a child’s bowels become blocked with poo, it can put unnecessary pressure on the bladder. This can lead to bedwetting;
- structural abnormalities of the kidneys, bladder, and urination system;
- hormonal imbalances;
- family problems.
Risk Factors
Possible risk factors include:
- attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder -ADHD is a mental health disorder that can cause above-normal levels of impulsive and hyperactive behaviors. Nocturnal enuresis occurs more often in kids who have ADHD;
- family history – the child has an increased risk of wetting the bed if one or both of a child’s parents wet the bed as children;
- anxiety and stress – like starting a new school, becoming a big sister or brother or sleeping away from home.
Treatment
Recommended medications include:
- oxybutynin – it is an anticholinergic medication that is used to relieve bladder and urinary difficulties. Note – this medication is more effective when used in conjunction with the desmopressin or bedwetting alarm;
- imipramine – it is a tricyclic antidepressant that is used mainly in the treatment of depression. Imipramine is sold under the brand name Tofranil. This medication has a fine line between a toxic dose and an effective dose and has a 40% percent success rate;
- desmopressin – it is a medication that is used to treat hemophilia A, diabetes insipidus (a condition that is described by increased thirst and large amounts of dilute urine), high blood urea levels, von Willebrand disease (a condition which causes heavy or long-lasting bleeding). It also helps the kidneys to produce less urine. It is sold under the trade name DDAVP.
Other treatments include:
- psychotherapy.- it can be especially useful for children experiencing a problem with self-esteem due to their bedwetting;
- bedwetting alarm – bed-wetting alarms are among the safest and most effective bed-wetting treatments. The alarm is attached to a kid’s pajamas or underwear in the area where the first drop of urine would be expelled. All alarms work on the premise of waking a child if the wetness sensor detects urine. These alarms are available in numerous models;
- bladder therapy – this therapy helps the child to fully empty their bladder each time they have to go and to respond to their bladder at the first signal;
- nighttime waking – this method involves walking the child to the bathroom to pass urine or lifting a child from his or her bed while he or she sleeps. According to recent research, lifting can help children become dry at night;
- restricting fluids – many parents find it easy to treat the condition by limiting a child’s fluid consumption after dinner. But, there is little research to support this method.
Here Is A List Of 10 Essential Oils For Bedwetting:
#1 Cypress
It has strong vasoconstricting and astringent properties, that reduce the urge to urinate frequently by tightening the loose bladder tissues.
#2 Lavender
It is effective due to its calming and relaxing properties, which reduce stress.
#3 Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil is bunked with various essential vitamins, like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B1. Also, it is useful for treating urinary system issues.
#4 Tea Tree
It can be used in aromatherapy for the management of all types of UTIs (urinary tract infections).
#5 Sage
It is effective against the most common organism in urinary tract infections: E. coli. It can be used as a massage or compress oil.
#6 Rosewood
It can be used to treat bladder problems and any type of urinary tract infection, including cystitis and bladder infections.
#7 Juniper Berry
This essential oil supports a healthy urinary tract and kidney function.
#8 Lemon
It is a purifier for the physical body and can assist in bladder infection home remedy efforts.
#9 Geranium
This essential oil acts as a kidney tonic and water equalizer for the kidney.
#10 Ylang-Ylang
It is known to have sedative and nervine properties, that are beneficial in remedying the symptoms as they help the patient to better control the urge to urinate.
Tips
There are several things parents can do to reduce the stress associated with the condition, including:
- praise the child for success when he is having a dry night;
- reinforce any efforts the child makes to help with his wetting;
- do not discuss the bedwetting issue in front of friends or other family members;
- no one is allowed to tease the child about the condition, including people outside the immediate family;
- maintain a low-key attitude after wetting episodes;
- let children know if anyone in the family wet the bed growing up;
- make sure the child’s siblings do not tease him about the condition;
- do not punish the child for being wet at night;
- let children know that lots of children have the same problem;
- remind the child that bedwetting is not his fault.
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References https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/486195 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5541498/ https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/32/5/605/929318