ADHD and Bedwetting: Are They Connected?

Is your child still wetting his bed? Is there nothing you can do for it? Are you wondering whether your child is suffering from some underlying condition that could be causing bedwetting? ADHD is a very common cause for bedwetting. Researchers have stated that there is a very high probability of a link between ADHD and bedwetting. But there are other causes too and here is a quick recap of all the causes of bedwetting and ADHD.

Children usually do not have a fully developed nervous system and they are still learning the norms of society. For them, passing urine in public and in private or at whatever time they feel full is completely normal but as they grow older they are taught to that going to the bathroom is a good idea when they want to urinate. Similarly, when children are small their brains are not yet developed to understand the fact that their bladder is full at night and to control the sensation. But over time they do learn to equate the sensation of a full bladder with waking up at night and going to the toilet. But there can be other reasons too why children do not understand the feeling of a full bladder. The reasons can be as varied as simple causes like a small bladder, urinary tract infections and also diabetes that cause frequent infections and increased urination. But by the age of five, children have learned to control themselves and less than 15% of the children still bed wet.

If you feel that your child has ADHD and chronic bedwetting, then it's a good idea to start your child with medication that will help him to control his bladder. For example, doctors will prescribe medications like Imipramine to control their bladder and the ADHD. But please remember that this medication may not suit every child even though the FDA has approved the use of the medication for children. But there are reasons for not prescribing the medication for children as the medication is very strong and it can affect heart rhythm. Your child may have to be checked with an electrocardiogram regularly to prevent heart problems. It's also commonly seen that all children may relapse into the condition when they are taken off the medication. You can also try to use homeopathic medications to control the condition in your child's bladder.

Another good idea is to use a moisture sensor. These are specially found in the market nowadays to detect moisture when the child urinates in the bed. This will make a sound that causes the child to wake up and then evacuate his bladder in the toilet. It can be a real time saver for everyone. The device may be a little expensive though with costs ranging from $50 to a hefty $100. You can also try behavior modification to control the problem without any discipline or harsh punishments. You can ask your child to change the bed sheets when the wet them and reward them when there is no bedwetting. The process works wonders with nearly child.