The session has just started. Please feel free to join and submit your questions now.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or the Archive.
Yours,
Health and Science Editor
Name
Saher
-
Profession
Question
Please doctor can you tell me if punishment will work in case of bed wetting or worsens the problem? Even mild punishment
Answer
Dear Saher,
Thank you very much. Very important question, thank you for raising it.
Bedwetting is a common problem world wide and parents make very similar mistakes across various cultures.
Punishment should never be considered as an option including for nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) as punishment is not a treatment but a penalty while the child is in need of help not a penalty. He also did not make this problem up but suffers from it.
Punishment definitely worsens the condition and may lead to other serious and unwanted consequences such as social isolation, sense of victimization and persecution which may result in other emotional reactions.
The child needs help including:
1. Visiting a specialist or an enuresis nurse.
2. Thorough history taking and examination
3. Diagnosis and treatment supported by a family approach
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Name
just wondering
-
Profession
Question
Can masterburting cause or regarded bed wetting? If it is, should one take the kind of bath like those who finish their sexual intercourse? THank you.
Answer
I do not find a connection between masturbation and bedwetting. I suggest you clarify your question further please.
For the Fatwa aspect I suggest you ask a Scholar.
Best wishes
Name
Asem
-
Profession
Question
I've heard that children are different, some are completely dry at night at the age of 5, some at 7, some at 9. Is this true?
Answer
Dear Asem
Very interesting. Yes children vary and they achieve control of their bladders at different ages for various reasons.
Girls normally achieve bladder control earlier than boys.
It is important that we in the family including parents and the affected child learn to be patient and to seek a specialist's opinion if and when needed.
Best wishes
Name
Mo'mena
-
Profession
Question
When is the right age in which the child should be dry at night?
Answer
Dear Sister,
Thank you for this question.
Children normally achieve bladder control around the age of 5 for girls and 6 for boys. However some children manage to achieve this control a bit earlier and other are a bit later.
A good and safe family environment with supportive parents and careful but unrushed or strict training are very helpful.
Best wishes
Name
Dalila
-
Profession
Question
Salam Doctor
I have a boy who is almost 8 years. He sometimes wet his bed like once a month. Is it ok?
I'm afraid, he have something wrong.
Answer
Dear Sister Dalia,
This is a common occurrence. Did this happen before or after your son achieved complete bladder control. I guess your son most probably has not yet gained full bladder control and is still maturing until he achieves bladder control.
Most probably he is normal and nothing is wrong with him. I recommend you do not punish or criticize him but offer support and help in a caring and kind manner. On the morning after he wets his bed we should not blame or criticize him. We offer support and help, for example clean clothes and linen.
If he is open to speak about it to his mother or father but not in public, this may help him or her feel safe and reassured about parental attitude. Anxiety is a common cause which would need to be addressed.
If it continues, seeking a specialist's opinion may be needed.
Name
Sandra
-
Profession
Question
I want to know why are some people unable to keep their bed dry until they are adults like 19 years, do they have abnormalities?
Answer
Dear Sandra,
Thanks for this question.
What we need to do is to establish whether the problem is
a) Primary i.e. bladder control has not yet been achieved or b)Secondary i.e. wetting the bed after achieving a dry bed , in other words, full control.
If the problem is primary at 19 years old then you need a specialist's opinion as soon as possible as reasons vary.
If it is secondary, it is most probably related to anxiety but other causes could be relevant e.g. urinary tract infection, constipation, ...
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Name
Renad
-
Profession
Question
My daughter is 5 years and she still wets her bed in some days, is this normal? Her father tells me she might be psychologically disturbed, but I don't do her any harm or hot her.
Answer
Dear Sr Renad,
A daughter aged 5 years old is probably in the process of achieving bladder control and I would not worry at this stage.
Please encourage her and avoid anxiety provoking comments or criticism. On waking up wet, please offer support, dry clothes and linen and avoid criticism in front of others or even when together alone. Encourage her when she wakes up dry and offer positive comments.
Best wishes
Name
Mother
- Kuwait
Profession
Question
My son is wetting his bed after he was dry. he is the ldest son and his age is now 8 year.
What is you advice please
Answer
Dear sister,
Thanks for your question.
Secondary N.E (Nocturnal Enuresis) is common and its causes include: Psychological factors such as the birth of a newborn brother or sister, feeling anxious due to school and its stressful environment, strict parent's …….
Other factors are important such as Diabets Mellitus, Infection, ....
Please try to seek a specialist's opinion as soon as possible.
Please avoid criticism, punishment or exposing the child in front of his younger brothers. Offering help with a supportive attitude is the way forwards.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Name
ddd
-
Profession
Question
my son is 14 years old and is still wetting his bed at night. This is affecting his self esteem and confidence
His father is very critical which does not help.
I wonder any help or advice?
Answer
Dear DDD,
Thanks for sharing this problem with us.
Is this problem primary or secondary?
For the difference please refer to my previous question.
If the problem is:
1. Primary: we need to seek a specialist's advice to make a diagnosis and treat the underlying cause.
2. Secondary: this may indicate an underlying cause for stress and anxiety, in other words, psychological, especially if you recognized his low self esteem and lack of self confidence as an obvious problem now. Is this psychological problem a cause or an effect?
We may need to adopt a different way of handling it or to seek a specialist's advice.
Best wishes
Name
Mother
-
Profession
Question
I want to ask the doctor when I should begin potty training for my one year girl? Or it differs from one child to another?
Answer
Thanks for this important question mother.
A mother's role in child upbringing is highly important. The start of potty training could begin at different ages according to the child and to the family's expectations.
One year old is a bit early and I suggest you try at around the age of two and a half or even three. More importantly we need to avoid a strict and punitive attitude while doing this training.
Name
Mother
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What is your advice please:
my so is wetting his bed after 9 y old while he was OK before. THe main chage that I would think of is his father has travelled to work in Saudi and we live in Cairo. Your advice & help if you can?
Answer
Dear Sister from Egypt,
Thanks for this important question.
Your son is suffering from secondary enuresis that is most probably caused by the departure of his father who has to work in Saudi Arabia. This may reflect the child's anxiety especially if he was very close to his father.
It is important to acknowledge the child's worries, listen to him and discuss this openly. This may clarify the underlying reasons for his anxiety and help address the cause. It may require that you give him an explanation of why his father has to work abroad. There may also be a different reason and its occurrence after the travel of the father is a coincidence.
Either way:
We need to establish the likely cause.
If seeking a specialist's opinion is needed please do so.
The most important thing is to alleviate his worries if his problem is related to anxiety caused by his father's departure.
Other causes may be excluded as well such as Diabetes, infection, ...
Avoid a punitive approach and in the absence of the father you do not need to be more strict or punitive but probably caring and supportive in a balanced way. Avoid an excessively strict attitude or offering too much money to compensate for the father's absence.
A caring and supportive maternal uncle may help a lot.
