Bedwetting in adults: More common than you'd think
Whilst it may not be a dinnertime conversation, adult bedwetting is a daily reality for many grown adults in the UK.
In fact, 1-2% of UK adults experience bedwetting - that’s around 800,000 people. It's a reality for many, but there’s plenty of support out there.
Whether you’re experiencing bedwetting as an adult or are helping a loved one with it, consider this a safe space for understanding and addressing it.
We’re here to help you understand the causes behind adult bedwetting and how to keep it at bay; let’s get you back to a good night’s sleep, worry-free.
In this guide:
- What causes bedwetting in adults?
- How does bedwetting affect adults?
- How can you treat adult bedwetting?
What causes adult bedwetting?
As uncomfortable as it can be for our nearest and dearest, adult bedwetting can be easily addressed once you know its roots.
Bladder problems (Overactive Bladder)
Typically, when it comes time to use the bathroom, the brain tells the bladder it needs to be emptied.
With an overactive bladder, though, this communication happens more and feels more urgent. This leads to a very sudden and intense urge to pee.
This is especially problematic at night. When we sleep, the brain usually tells the bladder to hold fire, but with an overactive bladder, the signals don’t get across, and some unintentional leakage happens.
Bladder problems (Urinary Incontinence)
Urinary incontinence comes with its own set of challenges, too. It happens when pelvic muscles are too weak or damaged, and you lose the strength to keep urine in.
And what then?
Well, you probably know the answer: Untimely leaks - even when we're sound asleep.
Causes for urinary incontinence differ between men and women. For women, childbirth can cause it, whereas with men, it can come down to an inflamed prostate.
Either way, the natural ageing process and underlying medical conditions can also lead to urinary incontinence.
Underlying medical issues
Whilst we’re on the topic of underlying medical conditions, adult bedwetting could simply be a symptom of something else that needs your attention.
For example, naturally formed ‘stones’ can block the natural flow of urine and irritate the urinary tract, leading to adult bedwetting.
Neurological disorders can also be a cause. We know that the urge to pee comes from signals from our brains, so a condition like Parkinson’s or Multiple sclerosis can disrupt these signals and impact bladder control.
Adult bedwetting isn’t the only symptom of these conditions, so don’t panic immediately. But keep it in mind if you have noticed various symptoms linked to them.
Medication side effects
Medication could lead to adult bedwetting, even for entirely unrelated conditions. Especially those affecting the nerve signals, which can impact your ability to regulate your bladder’s function.
For example, diuretics are prescribed for high blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body through urination. However, this increased urine can sometimes lead to more common night-time trips and increase the likelihood of adult bedwetting.
How does bedwetting affect adults?
Many people think adult bedwetting is just an annoying inconvenience, but you may know that it’s often much worse than this, affecting our quality of life in many ways.
Emotional wellbeing
Adult bedwetting comes with its own stigma, leading to anxiety and poor well-being, not to mention humiliation and shame.
Disrupted sleep
Bedwetting can affect your quality of sleep as you might find yourself waking up more through the night. This can very quickly lead to fatigue and irritability, which can affect our relationships and work performance.
Intimacy
If you deal with bedwetting, it might stop you from feeling comfortable in yourself physically, stopping you from being fully open with potential and current partners.
How can you treat adult bedwetting?
Although tricky to live with, adult bedwetting can be addressed in a few ways to lessen its impact on your quality of life.
Lifestyle changes
Simple lifestyle changes can make a major difference when managing adult bedwetting.
1. Reduce caffeine and alcohol
These can both act as diuretics, increasing urine production and potentially disrupting sleep.
2. Consistent sleep schedule
Our bodies work best when we have routines - such as consistent bedtime and wake-up schedules. This helps to create a more predictable rhythm for your bladder and also results in better sleep. It may even reduce instances of bedwetting.
3. Pelvic floor exercises
These strengthen the pelvic muscles, which are responsible for good bladder control. The simple contractions can be easily incorporated into your daily routine and can go a long way to managing bedwetting.
Medication for bladder control
Adult bedwetting can also be managed with medication. For example, anticholinergic medicine helps to calm bladder muscles and reduces instances of spasms and contractions that could lead to unintentional leakage.
Similarly, if you've found that hormones are contributing to your bedwetting, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could be used to supplement or replace what your body isn't producing enough of.
Incontinence products
Medication and lifestyle changes can only do so much in managing adult bedwetting. For regular management that ensures comfort, discretion, and maximum absorption, there's nothing better than incontinence products.
From pull-up pants to bed pads, there are a variety of choices available for those living with adult bedwetting that will keep nighttime incontinence at bay.
Manage adult bedwetting with confidence with Incontinence Shop
If you're struggling with adult bedwetting and are looking for cost-effective solutions that improve your comfort, then look no further than disposable bed pads from Incontinence UK. Our incontinence pads and disposable pants offer reliable protection without the discomfort and all the discretion.
And for prices lower than supermarket costs - even for the most premium brands like TENA and Drylife - Incontinence UK is the best choice for you.
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