Bed Wetting

A Closer Look:
Bed-wetting refers to the involuntary wetting of the bed in the middle of night during childhood. It usually spontaneously stops by teenage years.

Root:
Although the cause(s) of bed-wetting are unknown, chronic bed-wetting is often a general sign that there is some deeper underlying problem. Such problems can include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetes, and urinary tract infections. Other potential problems are emotional stress, small and weak bladders that cannot hold urine all night, excessive consumption of liquid beverages, sleeping too soundly, food allergies, heredity, and behavioral problems.

Bed-wetting can also be due to food allergies. When allergies are present, the child`s bladder can shrink, causing incontinence. Therefore food allergies must be screened for and treated if found.

Eat The Cure:
Aromatherapy: Before bedtime a rub of the child`s abdomen with olive oil and 3%-5% cypress essence.

Diet: Eat more frequent and smaller meals, up to five or six, throughout the day. Consume slow-release complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, yams, whole grains, breads, and beans. Avoid liquids around bedtime. Avoid drinking very sweet beverages such as fruit juice or cola more than one time per day. Take two teaspoons of raw honey at bedtime. Eat a small amount of protein from chicken, fish, soy, goat cheese, or nut butter, before bed.

Flower Essences: For emotional states as appropriate.

Herbs: If bed-wetting occurs because of lack of nervous control of the bladder, use an infusion of one part each of horsetail, St. John`s wort, cornsilk, and lemon balm. Drink half a cup three times a day, with the last dose well over an hour before bedtime.

Homeopathy: Berberis is the most commonly used homeopathic remedy for bed-wetting.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving the symptoms of bed-wetting: Acupuncture, Biofeedback Training, Chiropractic, Environmental Medicine (allergies can be a major cause of bed-wetting, since allergic reactions to food or environmental factors can cause sudden and violent contractions in the muscles of the bladder.), Hypnotherapy, and Magnetic Field Therapy.