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Is there a pill to stop peeing at night?

The drug desmopressin (DDAVP) reduces urine production at night.

mayoclinic.org - Bed-wetting - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

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Diagnosis

Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend the following to identify any underlying cause of bed-wetting and help determine treatment:

Physical exam

Discussion of symptoms, fluid intake, family history, bowel and bladder habits, and problems associated with bed-wetting

Urine tests to check for signs of an infection or diabetes

X-rays or other imaging tests of the kidneys or bladder to look at the structure of the urinary tract

Other types of urinary tract tests or assessments, as needed

More Information Urinalysis

X-ray

Treatment

Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own. If treatment is needed, it can be based on a discussion of options with your doctor and identifying what will work best for your situation. If your child isn't especially bothered or embarrassed by an occasional wet night, lifestyle changes — such as avoiding caffeine entirely and limiting fluid intake in the evening — may work well. However, if lifestyle changes aren't successful or if your grade schooler is terrified about wetting the bed, he or she may be helped by additional treatments. If found, underlying causes of bed-wetting, such as constipation or sleep apnea, should be addressed before other treatment.

Options for treating bed-wetting may include moisture alarms and medication.

Moisture alarms

These small, battery-operated devices — available without a prescription at most pharmacies — connect to a moisture-sensitive pad on your child's pajamas or bedding. When the pad senses wetness, the alarm goes off. Ideally, the moisture alarm sounds just as your child begins to urinate — in time to help your child wake, stop the urine stream and get to the toilet. If your child is a heavy sleeper, another person may need to listen for the alarm and wake the child. If you try a moisture alarm, give it plenty of time. It often takes one to three months to see any type of response and up to 16 weeks to achieve dry nights. Moisture alarms are effective for many children, carry a low risk of relapse or side effects, and may provide a better long-term solution than medication does. These devices are not typically covered by insurance.

Medication

As a last resort, your child's doctor may prescribe medication for a short period of time to stop bed-wetting. Certain types of medication can: Slow nighttime urine production. The drug desmopressin (DDAVP) reduces urine production at night. But drinking too much liquid with the medication can cause problems, and desmopressin should be avoided if your child has symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea or nausea. Be sure to carefully follow instructions for using this drug. Desmopressin is given orally as a tablet and is only for children over 5 years old. According to the Food and Drug Administration, nasal spray formulations of desmopressin (Noctiva, others) are no longer recommended for treatment of bed-wetting due to the risk of serious side effects. Calm the bladder. If your child has a small bladder, an anticholinergic drug such as oxybutynin (Ditropan XL) may help reduce bladder contractions and increase bladder capacity, especially if daytime wetting also occurs. This drug is usually used along with other medications and is generally recommended when other treatments have failed. Sometimes a combination of medications is most effective. There are no guarantees, however, and medication doesn't cure the problem. Bed-wetting typically resumes when medication is stopped, until it resolves on its own at an age that varies from child to child.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Here are changes you can make at home that may help:

Limit fluids in the evening. It's important to get enough fluids, so there's no need to limit how much your child drinks in a day. However, encourage drinking liquids in the morning and early afternoon, which may reduce thirst in the evening. But don't limit evening fluids if your child participates in sports practice or games in the evenings. It's important to get enough fluids, so there's no need to limit how much your child drinks in a day. However, encourage drinking liquids in the morning and early afternoon, which may reduce thirst in the evening. But don't limit evening fluids if your child participates in sports practice or games in the evenings. Avoid beverages and foods with caffeine. Beverages with caffeine are discouraged for children at any time of day. Because caffeine may stimulate the bladder, it's especially discouraged in the evening.

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Beverages with caffeine are discouraged for children at any time of day. Because caffeine may stimulate the bladder, it's especially discouraged in the evening. Encourage double voiding before bed. Double voiding is urinating at the beginning of the bedtime routine and then again just before falling asleep. Remind your child that it's OK to use the toilet during the night if needed. Use small night lights, so your child can easily find the way between the bedroom and bathroom. Double voiding is urinating at the beginning of the bedtime routine and then again just before falling asleep. Remind your child that it's OK to use the toilet during the night if needed. Use small night lights, so your child can easily find the way between the bedroom and bathroom. Encourage regular toilet use throughout the day. During the day and evening, suggest that your child urinate every two hours or so, or at least often enough to avoid a feeling of urgency. During the day and evening, suggest that your child urinate every two hours or so, or at least often enough to avoid a feeling of urgency. Prevent rashes. To prevent a rash caused by wet underwear, help your child rinse his or her bottom and genital area every morning. It also may help to cover the affected area with a protective moisture barrier ointment or cream at bedtime. Ask your pediatrician for product recommendations.

Alternative medicine

Some people may choose to try complementary or alternative medicine approaches to treat bed-wetting. For approaches such as hypnosis, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy and herbal therapy, evidence of effectiveness for bed-wetting is weak and inconclusive or such efforts have proved to be ineffective. In some cases, the studies were too small or not rigorous enough, or both. Be sure to talk to your child's doctor before starting any complementary or alternative therapy. If you choose a nonconventional approach, ask the doctor if it's safe for your child and make sure it won't interact with any medications your child may take.

Coping and support

Children don't wet the bed to irritate their parents. Try to be patient as you and your child work through the problem together. Effective treatment may include several strategies and may take time to be successful. Be sensitive to your child's feelings. If your child is stressed or anxious, encourage him or her to express those feelings. Offer support and encouragement. When your child feels calm and secure, bed-wetting may become less problematic. If needed, talk to your pediatrician about additional strategies for dealing with stress. If your child is stressed or anxious, encourage him or her to express those feelings. Offer support and encouragement. When your child feels calm and secure, bed-wetting may become less problematic. If needed, talk to your pediatrician about additional strategies for dealing with stress. Plan for easy cleanup. Cover your child's mattress with a plastic cover. Use thick, absorbent underwear at night to help contain the urine. Keep extra bedding and pajamas handy. However, avoid the long-term use of diapers or disposable pull-up underwear. Cover your child's mattress with a plastic cover. Use thick, absorbent underwear at night to help contain the urine. Keep extra bedding and pajamas handy. However, avoid the long-term use of diapers or disposable pull-up underwear. Enlist your child's help. If age-appropriate, consider asking your child to rinse his or her wet underwear and pajamas or place these items in a specific container for washing. Taking responsibility for bed-wetting may help your child feel more control over the situation. If age-appropriate, consider asking your child to rinse his or her wet underwear and pajamas or place these items in a specific container for washing. Taking responsibility for bed-wetting may help your child feel more control over the situation. Celebrate effort. Bed-wetting is involuntary, so it doesn't make sense to punish or tease your child for wetting the bed. Also, discourage siblings from teasing the child who wets the bed. Instead, praise your child for following the bedtime routine and helping clean up after accidents. Use a sticker reward system if you think this might help motivate your child.

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With reassurance, support and understanding, your child can look forward to the dry nights ahead.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your child's pediatrician. However, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in urinary disorders (pediatric urologist or pediatric nephrologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

Any signs or symptoms, including any major ones that may seem unrelated to bed-wetting. Consider keeping a diary of your child's bathroom visits and wet and dry nights. Note when your child goes to the toilet and whether he or she felt a sense of urgency to urinate. Also note how much fluid your child drinks, especially after dinner. including any major ones that may seem unrelated to bed-wetting. Consider keeping a diary of your child's bathroom visits and wet and dry nights. Note when your child goes to the toilet and whether he or she felt a sense of urgency to urinate. Also note how much fluid your child drinks, especially after dinner. Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. including any major stresses or recent life changes. Any family history of bed-wetting, including siblings or parents. including siblings or parents. All medications, vitamins, herbs and other supplements that your child takes, and the dosages. that your child takes, and the dosages. Questions to ask your child's doctor so you can make the most of your time together.

Some basic questions to ask your doctor may include:

What's causing my child to wet the bed?

When might he or she outgrow wetting the bed?

What treatments are available, and which do you recommend? Are there any side effects?

Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?

Should my child follow any drinking restrictions?

Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:

mayoclinic.org - Bed-wetting - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

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