A nephrologist, Dr Maryam Almustapha, has said bedwetting can be hereditary, advising adults experiencing the condition to seek medical attention, as it may indicate an underlying health disorder.
Almustapha spoke by telephone in Damaturu on Tuesday.
Bedwetting, medically known as nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary release of urine during sleep.
It is a common condition, particularly among children, but can also affect teenagers and adults. Persistent bedwetting in children beyond the age when bladder control is normally expected, or the recurrence of bedwetting after a period of dryness, may require medical evaluation.
Almustapha noted that there are two main types of bedwetting: primary and secondary.
According to her, primary bedwetting occurs when a child has never achieved a sustained period of nighttime dryness.
“Secondary bedwetting, however, occurs when bedwetting returns after a child has previously remained dry at night for a significant period. In adults, bedwetting is often associated with an underlying medical condition and should be evaluated by a physician,” she said.
According to the National Association for Continence, several factors can contribute to nocturnal enuresis in adults.
These include genetics, hormonal imbalance, a small bladder capacity, overactive bladder muscles, urinary tract infections, certain medications, stress and other health conditions.
Almustapha further explained that bedwetting occurs when the bladder releases urine during sleep without the person waking up.
“If the bladder accumulates urine, you are supposed to wake up to urinate. But in some people, the bladder cannot hold it, and it just comes out,” she said.
Almustapha advised that lifestyle modifications could significantly help manage bedwetting, particularly in adults.
She recommended avoiding excessive consumption of water and soft drinks late at night, urinating before going to bed and urinating regularly during the day.
The physician also suggested the use of a urine alarm device, which can alert a person when urination begins and help train them to wake up before wetting the bed.
According to a publication by Harvard Health, genetics can play a significant role in bedwetting. Children whose parents experienced bedwetting during childhood are more likely to develop the condition.
Harvard Health cited research indicating that when both parents had a history of bedwetting, the likelihood of their children experiencing the condition was significantly higher.
The association between bedwetting and genetics has been supported by studies identifying genetic factors linked to the condition, including variants on chromosomes 12 and 13.
Almustapha advised adults experiencing persistent nocturnal enuresis to seek medical evaluation, particularly where lifestyle changes and other non-invasive treatments have not resolved the problem.
She noted that treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include behavioural measures, medication and, in selected cases, specialised procedures.
