ADHD And Bedwetting - 3 Practical Tips

Bed wetting is quite a common problem for all children whether they are suffering from ADHD or not. However some statistics now show that there is a link between ADHD and bed wetting. What is the cause of bed wetting?

Usually,in very young children, it occurs simply because the nervous system has not yet developed to send signals to the child's brain to tell them that their bladder is full. As the child grows, he or she learns to control the impulse to urinate and the problem is resolved over time. But it still occurs in other children who are quite mature. There are many causes. These can range from emotional or other stress. That could be caused by the arrival of another sibling. There are sometimes simply physical causes which can range from having a small bladder to diabetes, lower spinal problems or a urinary tract infection. There is also a link with sleep apnea and bed wetting. Children who are very sound sleepers may also suffer from this problem. Usually by the age of 5, the problem of bed wetting is reduced by 15%. By that age, the bladder has grown and they have mastered their urinary control.

My first tip for ADHD and bed wetting is to avoid prescribing the child an anti-depressant such as Imipramine. Actually this medication is not for children at all or at least not for child depression. It is however useful in the case of bed wetting and the FDA has approved it for that specific pediatric use only. I would just want to avoid using an anti depressant for a bed wetting problem for two reasons. One is that this trycyclic medication can affect heart rhythm and you have to put the child through an electrocardiogram. The second reason is that relapses are quite common when the child is taken off the medication. If ADHD and bed wetting are both a problem, the solution may be a homeopathic remedy which will relax and calm the child.

My second tip is to put a device in the bed which is a sort of sensor which goes off when it comes into contact with moisture and this wakes the child who can avoid an embarrassing incident by making for the bathroom. These can be bought and the price ranges from $50 to $100. Incidents can be avoided by reducing liquid intake once evening comes.

My third tip is to try a type of behavior modification This works very well and can be combined for ADHD and bed wetting most effectively. There are no harsh punishments, threats or warnings at all. Parents tell the child that he or she will have to change bedding and sheets in the case of a little incident and is rewarded when they have a dry night. This fits in very well with ADHD behavior modification and this type of therapy is now highly regarded in most medical and pediatric circles.