Chinese Food Health gives you the basic approaches on how to nourish and preserve health in the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) is a common problem among young children who themselves and their families could suffer emotional or even psychological disturbance by the condition.

Worldwide, many children aged between 3 and 5 or older (after the age at which bladder control is normally anticipated) suffer from what is described as “night time dryness” that causes them to pass urine involuntarily while asleep.

In Western Medicine, the most common causes of nocturnal enuresis are neurological-developmental delay and genetics; other less common causes include physical abnormalities, insufficient anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) production, constipation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc.

While in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “Qi” (essential energy) has a lot to do with the cause of nocturnal enuresis.  “It includes a lack of “Qi” in the kidneys, “Qi” deficiency in the lungs and spleen, or when the kidneys’ “Qi” fails to influence the heart,” TCM Practitioner said.  “To identify the precise cause of nocturnal enuresis in the individual child before giving treatment is important.”

In fact, TCM provides many treatments for nocturnal enuresis.  These include herbal medicines, acupuncture, and massage; all can be administered alone or in conjunction with other methods effectively.  Also, there are a number of management options for nocturnal enuresis, such as teaching the child to control his or her bladder movements, or to exercise self-restraint.

In addition, below are some useful tips:

• Avoid giving the child too much stress.
• Avoid letting the child overly tired.
• Avoid providing the child too much fluid after dinner.
• Accustom the child to urinating before bed.
• Wake up the child at fixed times during the night to urinate.

Despite the stressful effects brought by nocturnal enuresis, TCM Practitioner reminded that parents should be patient and supportive.  “Punishment not only is ineffective, but also can interfere with treatment,” TCM Practitioner emphasized.

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