Adult Bedwetting

Most adult bedwetting involves a return to bedwetting after normal control of urination gained during childhood, and many years being dry at night. This is known as secondary nocturnal enuresis and is usually secondary to stress or illness such as a bladder infection.

Common causes

Treating the underlying causes of these is likely to resolve the problem.

* Diseases/Infections - fewer than 5% of bedwetting cases are due to infections, most commonly, urinary tract infection.

* Physical Disorders - Fewer than 10% of bedwetters have urinary tract malformations, such as a bladder smaller than normal. This can affect the functional capacity of the bladder.

* Constipation - Chronic constipation can cause bedwetting. A full bowel may put pressure on the bladder.

* Caffeine - caffeine increases urine production.

* Alcohol - alcohol consumption increases the production of urine.

* Developmental disabilities - people with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome have a higher rate of problems with bedwetting.

* Sleep apnea - sleep apnea causes obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in repeated periods of no breathing followed by gasps and restlessness. Bedwetting may occur. Snoring and large tonsils or adenoids can contribute to sleep apnea.

* Stress does not cause primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), but may cause a return to bedwetting. Researchers believe that the transition to a new city, parental conflict or divorce, arrival of a new child or the loss of a loved one or an animal can do that job insecurity, the cause a return to bedwetting.