Symptoms

Bedwetting is involuntary urination, while sleeping, by children past the expected toilet-training age, or by adults. By age three, children often demonstrate daytime bladder control, but regular night-time bladder control will often only be mastered by age five. Even after the age of six, one in ten children has problems with bedwetting. (see also Urinary Incontinence)

Causes

Bladder control, especially at night, is a complex operation, Usually, the problem simply lies in the need for a longer maturing period and resolves itself in time. Boys tend to wet the bed more than girls, and evidence shows a family tendency towards this problem. Parents sometimes start toilet-training their children too early or too late. When children begin to wet their beds after a dry period, the root problem is usually *stress from family or pressures at school.

*Allergies cause some children’s bladders to spasm. Many times, these children wet their beds every night because of the milk or fruit juice they drink at bedtime. Some juices that can cause a problem include orange, apple, grapefruit, pineapple and grape. Other typical allergy-causing foods are wheat, corn, soy, eggs and tomatoes. An anatomical anomaly or an infection are rare causes. Deep sleep due to *hypoglycemia can lead to bedwetting since the brain does not know that the bladder is about to empty.

Nutrition

To prevent accidents, avoid fluids an hour before bedtime. Include adequate fiber in the diet to prevent *constipation, which may provoke bedwetting. To determine if bedwetting is linked to a food allergy, try an elimination diet with your child. If the child is found to be sensitive to foods such as milk, dairy products, wheat or citrus fruits, eliminating the allergen should alleviate the problem. Give your child foods high in silica, calcium and magnesium. Sesame seeds, almonds, porridge, milk pudding with figs and bananas are good sources of these minerals. Calcium and magnesium relax the system and can help counteract the *nervous tension which often provokes bedwetting. Silica strengthens the urinary tract, kidney and bladder functions.

Nutritional Supplements

All nutrients are important for healthy development of the body. Silica is highly recommended for strengthening the urinary tract, kidneys and bladder. Magnesium is also helpful as a vital mineral for both the nerves and the muscles controlling the bladder. Calcium acts similarly, and can be taken simultaneously. Children averse to taking capsules can have the capsules opened and stirred into food. Magnesium and calcium are also available in liquid and chewable forms or as a liquid multi-vitamin/mineral formulation. Silica is available in a liquid gel.

Daily dosages, with meals, for children between six and twelve years:

• Silica, 3–6 capsules


• Magnesium, 250 mg


• Calcium, 500 mg


• Multivitamin/mineral combination, dosage as suggested.

Herbal Remedies

To strengthen the bladder and soothe *anxieties which often cause bedwetting, herbal teas and juices provide effective relief.

• For bladder strengthening and improvement, give your child herbal teas of bearberry, wormwood, oak bark or horsetail. Steep 1 tsp. of herbs for half an hour in 1 cup of boiling water. Drink 2–3 cups daily, the last one in the early afternoon, for two weeks.


• When the bedwetting is due to an emotional problem, try some calming teas made with 1 tsp. valerian, St. John’s wort, camomile or yarrow in 1 cup boiling water.


• Massage the inner thighs with St. John’s wort oil to increase the sensitivity of the bladder sphincter muscle.


• Passion fruit juice has a mild sedative and tranquilizing effect. Take 1 tbsp. daily.

Homeopathy

One of the following remedies commonly prescribed for bedwetting should be used in a 6c strength, placing 2 tablets under the tongue twice daily until improvement is noticeable, or for up to two weeks.

Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona