7 Ways to Manage Adult Nighttime Incontinence (Nocturnal Enuresis)

If you're an adult experiencing bedwetting, know that you're not alone, and there are effective ways to manage and treat this condition.

Nighttime incontinence, or nocturnal enuresis, is a bladder control condition that can develop in children and adults. It results in nighttime urine leakage or bedwetting, even in adults.

• Unintentional leakage of urine at night.
• Waking up with wet clothes or wet sheets at night or in the morning.

There are a few different causes of bedwetting in adults.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a type of urinary incontinence, with the primary symptom being the frequent, sudden, and intense urge to empty your bladder, resulting in leakage. Bedwetting may be a result of undiagnosed or unmanaged OAB since your bladder may empty at night.

Your body produces an antidiuretic hormone called ADH during the night. ADH slows down your kidneys when you sleep, decreasing urine production. If you're experiencing bedwetting, it could be a sign that your ADH production is too low.

Diabetes is a risk factor for urinary incontinence, enuresis included. Part of this is due to hormonal issues related to ADH among those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Bedwetting can be a side effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With OSA, your airway may be blocked, leading to disrupted sleep and, frequent urination and bedwetting at night.

Certain medications, such as anti-psychotic medicines, can sometimes cause bladder issues, such as bedwetting.

Enuresis is a known side effect of enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men.

Certain foods irritate the bladder, including spicy foods and tomato-based products. Drinks like alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, causing urine to produce more quickly in the body. Eating or drinking bladder irritants near or before bedtime may cause bedwetting.

Feeling the sudden and intense urge to urinate frequently is a common symptom of UTIs, so leaving one untreated could result in nocturnal enuresis.

Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological conditions disrupt the signals from the brain to the bladder, which can cause bedwetting at night.

If you're experiencing bedwetting, speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and medical history. Your provider should be able to run tests, such as a urinalysis or a urine culture, to diagnose your condition correctly.

Speak with your healthcare provider about your symptoms so they can help you identify any underlying conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or medications that may be causing bedwetting.

Once you've ruled out any medical conditions, you can make a plan with your provider to stop nighttime incontinence.

Eventually, your bladder will be able to hold more urine.

Bedwetting alarms aren't just for kids! Adults can use these products to help wake them up when wetting the bed by signaling an alarm when moisture is detected.

To slow urine production while you sleep, be sure to omit alcohol, caffeine, and any other bladder-irritating foods near or before bedtime.

Some medications can reduce occurrences of bedwetting by decreasing the amount of urine your kidneys make while you sleep. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if medications are right for you.

Bladder control products, such as overnight adult briefs, adult pull-ons, and underpads, can keep you dry at night so you can sleep soundly. Below is a list of our top products for controlling bedwetting!

Bedwetting doesn't always have to result in wet clothes and sheets! Using protective adult bladder control supplies at night can keep you dry while you address the cause of your urinary incontinence.

The best part is that Aeroflow Urology provides free incontinence supplies through insurance for adults with an incontinence diagnosis and an underlying medical condition if they qualify!

If you're experiencing nighttime incontinence, fill out our Eligibility Form to determine your eligibility. You may receive the products listed below at no cost if you qualify.

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.