Sleep Disorders and Bedwetting

Studies have found that sleep disorders in children particularly obstructive sleep apnea may cause bedwetting problems as well. Children who have this sleeping problem most often have large tonsils as well as adenoids. They also have been snoring for quite some time already and this problem could include loud noises or at times include some pauses and gasps for air in order to breathe. Snoring as well as bedwetting are some of the first signs that indicate children have sleep apnea problems. Curing the sleep disorder may stop the bedwetting problem if there are no other health conditions that may be causing it.

There is no direct explanation how sleep apnea may be causing the bedwetting problem. Medical experts believe that it may be due to some hormonal changes that occur. Studies also indicate that children who had their tonsils or their adenoids removed have stopped wetting their beds. However there were some of them who still continued to have the same problem after their operation. Doctors attribute it to other factors like premature birth, gender, obesity and heredity as well. Parents may bring their children for diagnosis and for possible operation for obstructive sleep apnea in order to stop their bedwetting as well.

Parents also have to understand that there are other causes of bedwetting among children aside from obstructive sleep apnea. Some of these include bladder and kidney problems. It is better to consult with their doctors in order to find out the underlying cause of the problem. Removal of the tonsils or adenoids would stop the sleep problem and the bedwetting but it is not always the case. They have to bring their children first to an otolaryngologist to make sure about the cause of their problems with nocturnal enuresis.

Parents are advised to observe the sleeping patterns of their children. They may be able to see for themselves if their children are breathing regularly or if they tend to snore and to gasp for air several times while sleeping. Most children with sleep apnea are difficult to wake up during the night and this might be causing them to wet their beds during their sleeping time. Parents together with the help of their doctors may be able to determine if their children have sleep disorders. They may decide to have their children's tonsils or adenoids taken out provided that they are sure about it. What is important in the end is that, the parents and their doctors are doing the right thing for the benefit of the children.