About Incontinence | Incontinence

Causes of Bedwetting in Adults at Night

The stimulus of the urge to urinate usually wakes up the sleeping person so that the bladder can be emptied when going to the toilet. Why some adults wet themselves during sleep can have various causes. 

What does Nightime bedwetting mean?

Nocturnal incontinence, bedwetting, nighttime bedwetting in adults - all terms that are used as synonyms for enuresis nocturna. The involuntary loss of urine during the day – i.e. while awake – is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as urinary incontinence1. If this involuntary urination occurs during sleep – usually at night – experts speak of enuresis or enuresis nocturna. 

Bedwetting does not only occur in children and adolescents, many adult women and men have also experienced it one or the other time that the bladder was emptied uncontrollably during sleep. 

However, anyone who "wets the bed" as an adult is not immediately incontinent. Sporadic, uncontrolled urination during sleep is harmless, because from a medical point of view, enuresis is only spoken of in those affected beyond the age of 5 if night-time bedwetting occurs twice a month for at least a period of three months 2,3– or to put it simply: Regular urine loss during sleep indicates enuresis. 

 

Nocturia - constant urge to urinate at night is not urinary incontinence

If you experience regular and frequent sleep interruptions due to an increased urge to urinate, this is called nocturia. 4

There is no involuntary loss of urine, so nocturia is not a form of incontinence. Nocturia is the most common cause of sleep disorders. If you suspect that you are suffering from nocturia, it is best to contact your family doctor. 

What are the causes of enuresis nocturna?

What incontinence products to use at night?

High-quality incontinence products can give you a peaceful and dry sleep. It should be noted that there are several special features that an incontinence product must do specifically for the night: 

Tips for caregivers

Family caregivers who take care of their loved ones at home should also keep an eye on the skin of those affected. Especially in older people, especially if they are bedridden, skin irritation can occur on the buttocks and genital area. 

You can find the right cleansing and care products for skin affected by incontinence here 

Diagnosis and treatment of enuresis

For the treatment of enuresis, it is important to find out where the disorder lies together with your trusted doctor as a first step, due to these various causes. Only with a correct diagnosis can the therapy be tailored to your individual needs and be successful.