Dr Catherine
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Girl
8-15 years

He wets his bed almost everynight. He tells me its being going on for about 2 months know but doesnt know why. what do we do??

Please accept my apologies for the slight delay in responding over the Christmas and New Year period. Your son is suffering from secondary nocturnal enuresis (SNE) a term used to describe the condition where a child has maintained proper bladder control for a consecutive period of six months or more then begins to wet the bed again. Secondary bedwetting appears to have two main causes: physical or psychological. While physical causes of secondary bedwetting are rare and include such things as chronic constipation, diabetes and urinary tract infections, it is important that he is seen by a doctor just to rule these things out. The majority of secondary bedwetting results from emotional problems. Common psychological stressors for young adults include things like family disharmony, the loss of someone close, the break-down of a special relationship or exam-related anxiety (if he is at university). The management of secondary bedwetting involves addressing the underlying cause. When there are significant emotional stressors associated with secondary bedwetting, then attention to these issues should take priority. When stress is an underlying factor individuals may benefit from psychological intervention through the support of a clinical psychologist. Regards, Dr Cathrine