Child Bed-wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis or Shayyamutrata, is a condition where a child unknowingly passes urine during sleep at night. This problem is called night wetting or bedwetting. The term 'Shayyamutrata' is divided into 'mutra' (urination) and 'shayya' (sleep or lying down). This involuntary action generally happens while the child is asleep and while it’s common among kids, it can be distressing for both the parent and child.
Bedwetting in children can be one of two types: primary & secondary. Primary bedwetting implies the child hasn't had a significant period of nighttime dryness, while secondary bedwetting happens after the child has been dry at night for at least six months and then begins wetting the bed again. Secondary bedwetting may be induced by psychological causes or sometimes stress.
The psychological causes of bedwetting can include anxiety, stress or trauma. These emotional states may interfere with a child’s nighttime bladder control. Sometimes, major life changes such as starting school, moving to a new house, or family conflicts can cause bedwetting episodes. Despite these challenges, it’s important to remember that bedwetting is not caused by laziness or willful behaviour - it's a developmental phase that many children go through.
Knowing that this condition is usually outgrown by children can help parents approach the situation with empathy and support. Bedwetting can be managed with patience and generally no medical treatment, but treatment of underlying psychological factors may resolve the problem quicker. Knowing when to see an Ayurvedic practitioner can help, especially if bedwetting occurs suddenly or comes with other symptoms.
Child Bed-wetting is generally confusing for parents as it often happens without reason. However, understanding the common causes of Bed-wetting can shed light onto this condition and may support its management.
The most common Child Bed-wetting causes are:
Developmental Delays: Some children do not have fully developed bladders that are mature enough to hold urine through the night. They may also have a slower development in recognising when their bladder is full.
Deep Sleepers: Children who are extremely deep sleepers might not wake up when their bladder is full. This lack of response may cause Bed-wetting.
Genetics: If one or both parents wet the bed as children, the kids are at a higher risk for bed wetting. Genetics might play a big part in how a child develops bladder control.
Hormonal Factors: The body produces a hormone at night that decreases urine production. Some children produce insufficient amounts of this hormone, leading to more urine production during sleep.
Stress & Anxiety: Bed-wetting may also be caused by psychological reasons like stress and anxiety. Events such as starting a new school, the arrival of a sibling, or changes at home may cause this condition.
Urinary Tract infection (UTIs): These infections may make it difficult for children to control urination. They might experience pain, frequent urination and Bed-wetting.
Constipation: The bladder and bowel are close neighbours in the body. In a constipated child, the full bowel may press on the bladder, causing involuntary urination at night.
Child Bed-wetting is a common development stage but it can also be connected to various other health issues. Understanding the Child Bed-wetting symptoms may help parents tell the difference between typical signs and Bed-wetting which could indicate a need for consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor.
The most noticeable symptoms of Child Bed-wetting are:
The most obvious sign of Bed-wetting is when a child, who is toilet trained, wets the bed at night. This might happen several times a week or even nightly.
Bed-wetting is related to frequent waking to find wet sheets or pyjamas. Kids may not even remember the incident until they wake up.
A persistent urine smell in the child's bedroom may also indicate regular Bed-wetting, especially if the episodes are frequent.
Children who wet the bed may have disturbed sleep or appear tired during the day from disturbances associated with changing bedding and clothing at night.
Regular wetting can lead to prolonged exposure to moisture and can cause skin irritation or rash in the genitals.
Kids that experience Bed-wetting might exhibit signs of embarrassment, low self esteem, or unwillingness to get involved in social activities like sleepovers.
In case a kid also shows symptoms during the day, such as urgency to urinate, frequent urination, or discomfort during urination, they might be symptoms of something much more serious like a urinary tract infection or some other medical issue.
Jiva Ayurveda offers holistic Ayurvedic treatment of Child Bed-wetting using evidence-based Ayurveda. The treatment plans are customised to target the very root causes of the disease, and instead of just treating symptoms, they focus on holistic healing, balance and stability in totality.
HACCP certified Ayurvedic medicines: These are scientifically formulated blends that help to rebalance your body’s doshas and improve your emotional health.
Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness-Practices: These calming techniques promote mental health and overall wellness.
Ayurvedic Treatments: Therapies like Panchakarma and various types of massage detox the body and promote emotional balance.
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations: Expert advice on changing your eating habits and lifestyle choices for better health.
Ayurveda offers herbal medicines and preparations for bedwetting treatment at home. These natural solutions address the energies of the body and strengthen the urinary system to handle this common childhood problem.
Some effective Ayurvedic medicines for Child Bed-wetting are:
Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula): Haritaki is used for supporting digestion and bladder control to help with Child Bed-wetting.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Amla is high in vitamin C and helps balance the body's doshas and improve bladder and kidney health.
Bimbi (Coccinia Indica): This Ayurvedic herb is used for strengthening the bladder muscles, which can help prevent involuntary nighttime urination.
Kataka (Strychnos Potatorum): Kataka is recommended for its properties that help clear the urinary tract and improve kidney function.
Khadira (Acacia Catechu): This is an astringent herb that helps to tighten and tone the urinary tract muscles.
Guggulu (Commiphora Mukul): Guggulu is known for its cleansing properties and is believed to detoxify the urinary system and improve bladder control.
Shati (Hedychium Spicatum): This Ayurvedic herb is used for its anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce swelling and irritation in the urinary tract.
Chandraprabha Vati: This classic Ayurvedic preparation helps to strengthen the urinary tract and decrease Bed-wetting symptoms.
Brahmi: Frequently used in Ayurvedic medicine for its cognitive-enhancing benefits, Brahmi can also reduce anxiety and stress, two possible psychological causes of bedwetting.
Children stop Bed-wetting between the age of 4 and 6 years. However, some children take longer to develop complete nighttime bladder control.
Yes, Ayurveda offers herbal treatments and lifestyle adjustments that help decrease the number of Bed-wetting episodes by strengthening the urinary system and balancing the body’s energies.
Bed-wetting could be associated with psychological stress or changes in the child's environment. Ayurveda suggests calming herbs and practices to ease anxiety.
Bed-wetting can be managed with an Ayurvedic diet that avoids cold and liquid foods at night. Easy to digest foods are preferred to avoid bladder irritation during sleep.
Warm sesame oil foot massages before bedtime may help soothe and promote deeper, more relaxed sleep.
An Ayurvedic practitioner will check the child's dosha balance and general health to determine the underlying causes of Bed-wetting, focusing on dietary, lifestyle and emotional issues.
Ayurveda may prescribe mild detoxification therapies suited for children, such as herbal teas to cleanse the urinary tract and balance the doshas.
Specific gentle yoga poses can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control to reduce Bed-wetting.
The initial step generally includes a consultation to understand about the child's health history, eating habits and lifestyle, followed by individualised herbal and dietary advice.
Massaging the lower abdomen with specific Ayurvedic oils like sesame oil can help strengthen the bladder muscles and improve control.
While some parents notice improvements within a few weeks, Ayurvedic treatments for Bed-wetting may take several months to show significant results, as per child’s individual condition.
A regular bedtime routine, sleeping in a dark, quiet environment and avoiding electronic screens prior to bed might encourage a deeper and more restful sleep and also reduce the risk of Bed-wetting.
