2torial #0824:
Learn2 Cure Bedwetting (continued)

Consider medication

Some parents have found immediate cures for their children by trying medications that instruct the kidneys to produce less urine at night or reduce the frequency and intensity of bladder contractions. These are especially useful for times when the child wants to join a slumber party or go to camp. Unfortunately, the solutions usually stop working once the medication is withdrawn. Also, this method is more expensive than others, costing between $60 and $240 (U.S.) per month, depending on the medication and dosage.

Desmopressin acetate. This drug is administered through a nasal spray and works as a substitute for ADH, the hormone that instructs the kidneys to concentrate urine during the night. In some cases, it can be effective the first night. Doctors usually prescribe its use for three months and then have the child taper off the medication to see if he or she can stay dry. Many children resume bedwetting, but some do not. For those who do resume, the doctor may try restarting the medication and stopping it again every few weeks to see if the child can remain dry at night without it. Side effects may include headache, runny nose, pain in the nostrils, or stuffiness.

Imipramine. According to the National Enuresis Society, imipramine has been helpful in preventing bedwetting for approximately 30 percent of the children using it. An antidepressant, one of imipramine's useful side effects is to reduce the frequency and intensity of bladder contractions. It also helps limit the amount of time spent in deep sleep. Keep in mind that all antidepressants are powerful drugs and that some have serious, unhelpful side effects, especially in children.

All of the techniques outlined in this 2torial are meant to underscore that bedwetting is not anyone's fault. Rather, it's a problem that requires a concentrated effort--and sometimes several different approaches--to cure it. But dry nights are definitely possible for your child, and now that you're armed with this information, they're closer than ever before.

-end-