Sleep Apnea and Bed Wetting

Bed wetting is a very common incident amongst young children of pre-school age, and isn't usually a factor one should worry about. Whilst bedwetting amongst slightly older children of school age does occur, it is usually fairly rare by this age. The fact is most children grow out of bedwetting sooner or later without needing treatment.

Whilst the reasons for bed wetting aren't completely established, what is known is a link between sleep apnea and bed wetting exists, where children with sleep apnea are much more likely to also wet the bed, particularly in the case of obese children. Again, no concrete causes have yet been established although some theories have been considered.

When a person needs to urinate, they tend to get a certain feeling of needing to go, even if asleep. It may be that in sleep apneic's this feeling comes too late or is inadequate as to alert the person to wake up and use the toilet.

Other theories are perhaps the hindered breathing can increase the pressure upon the bladder causing the child to urinate in the bed, or even increase urine production in the first place.

If your child frequently wets the bed, and also suffers from sleep apnea, (or you suspect they suffer from sleep apnea), you should raise your concerns with your G.P. who will be able to give you their help and advice on the best way to treat your child's sleep apnea. In some cases at least, by eliminating or reducing sleep apnea, occurrences of bed wetting may also reduce or be eliminated.