Nobody knows exactly what causes bedwetting, but there are several factors that can play a role.
1. Genetic factors
Research has shown that bed wetting is hereditary. If one of the parents was a bed-wetter, chances are that the child will be too.
2. Sleep apnea
Sometimes bed-wetting alongside snoring, frequent ear and sinus infections, sore throat and daytime sleepiness is a sign of sleep apnea. This condition is often the result of inflamed or enlarged tonsils and ensures that breathing is interrupted during sleep.
3. Physical abnormality
Bedwetting can be due to a neurological abnormality or to a disruption of the urinary tract. This is only rare.
4. Infection of the bladder, kidneys or urinary tract
A bladder, kidney or urinary tract infection can make it difficult for a child to exercise control over urination. Another symptom of an infection is that your child has to urinate frequently, and accidents during the day are not insurmountable. Your child also often experiences pain when urinating.
5. Chronic constipation
A lack of regular bowel movements can lead to reduced bladder capacity. This can also lead to bed wetting.
6. Disruption of the hormones
Some bed-wetting do not produce enough anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone causes the body to produce less urine at night than during the day. If there are problems with the production of this hormone, urine production is not slowed down at night and can cause bedwetting.
7. The size of the bladder
It may be that the bladder is too small because it has not yet been fully developed. This makes the bladder not strong enough to hold the urine, causing the bladder to overflow, as it were, and the urine to come out automatically. Once the bladder has matured, bed wetting will disappear.
8. Impossible to recognize a full bladder
When the bladder is full, the nerves in the bladder send a signal to the brain. Sometimes the brain does not "hear" this signal, eg when a child is in a deep sleep. In that case your child will continue to sleep and the bladder will empty itself.
9. Psychological and social factors or stress
Events that weigh heavily on a child can lead to bedwetting. For example, the welcoming of a new brother or sister, a move, a new school or new family (when adopted) can provoke bedwetting.
10. Diabetes disease
If your child is normally dry at night and no stressful events have taken place, bedwetting can be the first sign of diabetes. Other symptoms for this disease are: urinating large amounts of urine at once, feeling very thirsty, being tired and losing weight despite a good appetite.
1. Genetic factors
Research has shown that bed wetting is hereditary. If one of the parents was a bed-wetter, chances are that the child will be too.
2. Sleep apnea
Sometimes bed-wetting alongside snoring, frequent ear and sinus infections, sore throat and daytime sleepiness is a sign of sleep apnea. This condition is often the result of inflamed or enlarged tonsils and ensures that breathing is interrupted during sleep.
3. Physical abnormality
Bedwetting can be due to a neurological abnormality or to a disruption of the urinary tract. This is only rare.
4. Infection of the bladder, kidneys or urinary tract
A bladder, kidney or urinary tract infection can make it difficult for a child to exercise control over urination. Another symptom of an infection is that your child has to urinate frequently, and accidents during the day are not insurmountable. Your child also often experiences pain when urinating.
5. Chronic constipation
A lack of regular bowel movements can lead to reduced bladder capacity. This can also lead to bed wetting.
6. Disruption of the hormones
Some bed-wetting do not produce enough anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone causes the body to produce less urine at night than during the day. If there are problems with the production of this hormone, urine production is not slowed down at night and can cause bedwetting.
7. The size of the bladder
It may be that the bladder is too small because it has not yet been fully developed. This makes the bladder not strong enough to hold the urine, causing the bladder to overflow, as it were, and the urine to come out automatically. Once the bladder has matured, bed wetting will disappear.
8. Impossible to recognize a full bladder
When the bladder is full, the nerves in the bladder send a signal to the brain. Sometimes the brain does not "hear" this signal, eg when a child is in a deep sleep. In that case your child will continue to sleep and the bladder will empty itself.
9. Psychological and social factors or stress
Events that weigh heavily on a child can lead to bedwetting. For example, the welcoming of a new brother or sister, a move, a new school or new family (when adopted) can provoke bedwetting.
10. Diabetes disease
If your child is normally dry at night and no stressful events have taken place, bedwetting can be the first sign of diabetes. Other symptoms for this disease are: urinating large amounts of urine at once, feeling very thirsty, being tired and losing weight despite a good appetite.