Gender and Genetic Factors in Enuresis (Bedwetting)/By Dr. Jacob Sagie and Tal Sagie

Gender and Genetic Factors in Enuresis (Bedwetting)/By Dr. Jacob Sagie and Tal Sagie Researchers and professionals alike still cannot agree on the causes of bedwetting, but many of them are in agreement that both gender and genetic factors can come into play.

Gender At an early age, bedwetting is statistically more common in males than in females; two-thirds of children with enuresis are males, whereas just one-third are female. Interestingly enough, as children grow older, the proportions begin to shift for reasons that are not entirely understood; at the age of seventeen and onwards, two-thirds of those with enuresis are females, while just one-third are male.

The reasoning for this shift is likely the fact that boys tend to mature more slowly than girls, especially at a younger age. However, researchers still do not fully understand why females are more likely to have enuresis after age seventeen; it may have something to do with emotional factors that affect bedwetting.

Genetics Most researchers can agree that one's genetics play a role in whether a person will deal with bedwetting issues or not. It has actually been found that, among parents who brought their children in to enuresis clinics, 75% of them reported that a parent or sibling of the child dealt with bedwetting issues during childhood. Also, the second genetic circle (grandparents, uncles, nephews, etc.) had a history of bedwetting in these cases 90% of the time.

Of course, this does not mean that one's genetics indicate a medical problem. All that bedwetting means is that the person is unable to recognize and properly react to the signal sent from one's bladder to the brain while sleeping. Because of this, the person keeps the bladder muscles relaxed rather than contracting the sphincter. The end result is urination while sleeping. The good news, however, is that this reflex can be corrected with the right treatment.

Sometimes, I get asked the following question by parents: “How can a bedwetting treatment possibly be effective if it is a genetic issue?� The fact is, however, that although bedwetting itself is genetic; it is simply the body's response to the body's signals that needs to be improved. This problem can be solved by behavioral treatment for example.

Unfortunately, some parents who suffered from enuresis in the past think that, because they were able to get over it without treatment, their children will be able to do the same. In reality, this is not always the case. Even if a child does eventually stop wetting the bed during adolescence, what justification is there for leaving a child to suffer from enuresis for many years? Instead, treatment should occur sooner rather than later so as to prevent enuresis from damaging a child's life.

For more info please go to: http://www.bedwettingtherapy.com