What does it mean when you pee in your sleep?
Potential Causes:
- Lifestyle factors: This includes excessive fluid before bed, constipation, and deep sleep.
- Genetics: Studies suggest that those with parents or siblings who've experienced bedwetting are more likely to experience it as well.
- Small Bladder: Some individuals have small bladders which aren't able to hold large volumes of urine.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: These can include diabetes, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, and diabetes insipidus (rare condition that affects the kidney's ability to conserve water).
- Neurological Conditions: These can include spinal bifida and spina bifida occulta.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics and sedatives, can increase urine production or interfere with bladder control.
Treatment and Prevention:
Treatment can vary depending on the underlying cause. It can range from lifestyle modification, to behavioral therapy, to medication. Some ways to prevent bedwetting include:
- Fluids: Avoid excessive fluids before bed.
- Constipation: Treat any underlying constipation.
- Bladder training: Train the bladder to hold more urine.
- Bedtime: Establish a regular bedtime.
- Bedwetting Alarm: A specialized device which makes a sound when it senses urine.
- Medication: Certain medications can be prescribed for bedwetting that are similar to a hormone naturally produced in the body to decrease urine production at night.