BEDWETTING
Bedwetting, also known as
nocturnal enuresis, affects a large number
of toilet- trained children between the ages
of two and four. It can happen only once or
twice or as frequently as two to three times
a week. But, it usually goes away on its own
by the time a child is about five years of
age.
Most of the time,
bedwetting is an unimportant concern that
does not require treatment. Do not feel the
need to put your child back in diapers or
scold him or her. The cause of the wetting
is generally because of the small size of
the child’s bladder that may be unable to
hold a full night’s amount of urine.
About one in ten children
continue to wet the bed past the age of
five. Boys are twice as likely to wet their
beds, and generally, there is a family
history of bedwetting. It is not fully
understood what causes the condition, but it
is not usually caused by physical or
emotional problems.
If your child continues to
wet his or her bed after one year of being
potty-trained, or is over the age of five,
you may want to discuss the situation with
your child’s pediatrician. The doctor may
want to rule out possible illnesses such as
bladder or kidney infections, or diabetes as
a possible cause. As well, your child’s
urinary tract may be examined for possible
abnormalities that could prevent urinary
control. If there is no medical problem,
home treatment will be recommended
including:
-
Talking about it with
your child in a non-threatening manner
-
Discouraging him from
drinking fluids before bedtime
-
Having him use the toilet
right before bedtime
-
Rewarding him for dry
nights
If these approaches do not
work after several months, the doctor may
recommend the use of a bed-wetting alarm
that will waken your child as soon as he
begins to urinate. This is very effective.
Finally, in extreme cases, there are
medications that can be helpful.
CHILD ABUSE
Unfortunately, child abuse
is all too common in our society. It is
estimated that one in four girls and one in
eight boys will be sexually abused before
the age of 18, and as many as one in 20
children are physically abused each year.
With these high figures, parents can’t help
but overprotect their children. But, the key
to preventing abuse is to recognize the
risks and learn the signs of abuse.
Because children are often
reluctant to tell anyone if they have been
mistreated, it can sometimes be difficult to
recognize the signs. The most effective way
to check for signs of abuse is to be aware
of any unusual or unexplained changes in
your child’s behavior or body. Signs to look
for include:
-
Physical Abuse –
Any unexplained injury such as a bruise,
broken bone, burn, head injury, or welt.
Any sudden fearful behavior, nightmares,
or flinching.
-
Sexual Abuse -
Unusual stomach pains, bedwetting,
urinary tract infections, bleeding,
sexually transmitted diseases.
Precocious sexual behavior which
develops suddenly. Attempts to run away.
-
Emotional Abuse –
Sudden changes in personality,
confidence. Increased fears, weight
loss, stomach pains, and headaches.
Most children who are
abused continue to suffer emotional distress
into adulthood. Some will develop
depression, violent behavior, or suicidal
thoughts. Drug and alcohol abuse is also
very common in adults who suffered abuse as
children. Some will go on to become abusers
themselves.
If you suspect that your
child has been a victim of abuse, contact
your doctor or a child protective agency.
Your doctor is legally obligated to report
abuse to the authorities and can treat any
physical injuries. Your child will also
benefit from receiving help from a mental
health professional.
The best way to prevent
child abuse is to be active and involved in
your child’s day-to-day life. Teach your
child to keep his distance from strangers
and to say no when asked to do something
that she is uncomfortable with. Make it
clear that she will never be punished or
scolded for telling on anyone who has hurt
her.
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