Bedwetting can frequently occur in children with ADHD. The medical term for bedwetting is enuresis. Research has found that around 28–32% of people with ADHD may also have enuresis. Another study found that around 40% of children with ADHD may also have enuresis.
Patients with ADHD have higher incidence of enuresis. Poor completion rates of traditional bedwetting calendars in children with ADHD have been observed. A daily computerised interactive behavioural modification therapy can help in treating enuresis in children with ADHD and comorbid enuresis disorder.
“It's important to understand and manage executive functioning,” says Dr. Franco, noting that 20 percent of kids with ADD/ADHD have incontinence issues. It's important to know that children who don't have ADD/ADHD can also have trouble with executive functioning, too.
Children with ADHD are significantly more likely to have constipation and fecal incontinence. Medical therapy for ADHD does not impact visit rates for defecation disorders.
Nocturnal enuresis or bedwetting is the involuntary release of urine during sleep. Bedwetting can be a symptom of bladder control problems like incontinence or overactive bladder or more severe structural issues, like an enlarged prostate or bladder cancer.
Usually, children stop wetting the bed between 3 and 5 years of age. Bedwetting is considered a problem if the child is over age 7 and continues to wet the bed two or more times a week for at least three months in a row. Although bedwetting is not a serious condition, it can cause stress for the child and family.
Symptoms can be a bit different for each child. The main symptom is when a child age 5 or older wets their bed or their clothes 2 times a week or more, for at least 3 months. But 1 in 10 children age 7, 1 in 20 children age 10, and 1 in 100 children older than 15 still have at least 1 episode of nighttime enuresis.
Overactive bladder is the most common cause of daytime wetting in children. Not drinking enough water, or drinking caffeine-‐ containing fluids such as cola will worsen overactivity and thus worsen wetting.
Causes of urinary incontinence
Sometimes urinary incontinence happens because children's bladders, genitals, urinary tracts or urethras haven't developed properly, which means they don't work properly. Some children have overactive bladders, which means their bladders don't store urine the way they're supposed to.
The trouble children with ADHD have in shifting attention from one activity to another may hinder toileting success. Affected children may struggle to stop a preferred activity to respond to the body's signals of the need to use the toilet.
When Should I Call the Doctor? Bedwetting that begins suddenly or happens with other symptoms can be a sign of another medical condition, so talk with your doctor. The doctor may check for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), constipation, bladder problems, diabetes, or severe stress.
Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own — but some need a little help. In other cases, bed-wetting may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention. Consult your child's doctor if: Your child still wets the bed after age 7.
Bed-wetting or nighttime incontinence affects about 30% of children at age 4, 10% at age 7, 3% at age 12, and 1% at age 18. About 0.5% of adults continue to have nighttime incontinence.
Atypical Presentation of ADHD Symptoms:
Learning problems (trouble memorizing, forgets assignments, poor written expression, poor listening and reading comprehension, poor handwriting, impulsive learning style, etc.)
In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge.
People with ADHD may have trouble completing thoughts when talking or finishing magazine articles and books. Failing to pay attention to details or constantly making careless mistakes. Often having trouble organizing tasks and activities. Often avoiding tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) characterizes enuresis as a disorder when there is a persistent loss of bladder control after age 5 years.
Sometimes a combination of medications is most effective. There are no guarantees, however, and medication doesn't cure the problem. Bed-wetting typically resumes when medication is stopped, until it resolves on its own at an age that varies from child to child.
It isn't uncommon for some people to wet the bed well into the teen years. Genetics, health conditions, psychological turmoil, and daily sleep and dietary patterns can all be factors. Your teen is likely to outgrow the problem in time.
Bedwetting and Bladder Issues
“Every child is different. But as a general rule, if your son or daughter is not dry through the night by age six, you may want to have a consultation with a pediatric urologist,” Dr. Hannick says.
For children with autism, bedwetting instances might occur well past the time he/she has learned how to use the toilet during the daytime. A combination of heavy sleeping and poor nighttime bladder control make it hard for some children (especially those who take sedating medication) to feel the urge to go at night.
Although most children have dry nights by the time they start school, there are plenty of nine to 12-year-olds who wet the bed, with around 2% of all kids continuing to do so right up to late teens. Bedwetting is more common in boys than girls.