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Cures for Adult Bedwetting

Adult bedwetting is an uncommon medical condition that can be caused by several factors, from diabetes to bladder capacity, urinary tract infections or kidney disorders. It also may be hereditary. Various forms of treatment may be used, including monitoring fluid intake, training the bladder to increase capacity, buying a bedwetting alarm or waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

  1. Adult Bedwetting: Introduction

    • Adult bedwetting is a rare medical condition affecting at least 2 percent of adults, according to the National Association for Incontinence. The proper medical term for this condition is nocturnal enuresis, or "NE," and there are generally two types. Persistent primary nocturnal enuresis starts during childhood and never goes away, as it does in most children. Adult onset secondary enuresis begins at an older age. In both cases, bedwetting cannot be voluntarily controlled.

    Adult Bedwetting: Causes

    • Adult bedwetting may be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, urinary tract infections, urinary tract stones, an enlarged prostate, bladder cancer, an abnormally small bladder, sleep apnea, kidney disorders, neurological disorders, gene linkage (meaning it is hereditary), even stress. Mayo Clinic urologist Erik Castle, M.D., suggests prompt medical evaluation to determine the cause of adult bedwetting before any treatment begins.

    Adult Bedwetting: Treatment

    • The cause of adult bedwetting determines the course of treatment. The most common first step in any treatment program is to limit the intake of fluids prior to bedtime, to decrease the amount of urine that is produced. Patients also may be told to work on increasing their bladder capacity by holding off on bathroom trips during the day as long as they can (up to two to three hours). Doctors also may prescribe bedwetting alarms that wake the person as soon as an accident starts, or encourage patients to wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Various medications also may be prescribed, depending on the underlying condition. Among the most commonly prescribed medicines is desmopressin (DDAVP), which causes the kidneys to produce less urine.

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