Adult bedwetting could be categorized as secondary nocturnal enuresis. Bed wetting have two types: the primary and the secondary. Primary enuresis would refer to bed wetting since infancy which is common among kids. Secondary enuresis would refer to bed wetting that occurred after the person has been dry over a long period of time.

There are different causes of adult wetting. It could be due to:

Adult enuresis could happen due to many reasons

Genetics
There are studies showing that if one of the parents has the history of bedwetting, then there are 45% of chances that it could happen to their offspring. This does not only apply on children night time incidents, but also on adult bed wetting.

Hormonal
The anti-diuretic hormone produced by the body is responsible in sending signals to the kidneys to produce less urine. The production of this kind of hormone increases during night time. If the body does not produce enough ADH then the kidneys will still produce urine. Diseases that commonly affects the production of ADH is diabetes.

Muscular
There is a muscle in the bladder called the detrusor. The detrusor contracts to negate the urine. However, this could be unstable especially if the body is exposed to different bladder irritants like caffeine and alcohol.

Medical
There are numerous medical reasons for adult enuresis, it could be urinary tract infection, urinary stones, prostate cancer, prostate enlargement and even bladder cancer. There are also sleeping disorders which are associated with nighttime wetting. Aide from bed wetting, other symptoms could also include night terrors and sweats or sleep walking.

Medication
There are different kinds of drugs available and used by people nowadays. Drugs and medications could affect with the body and bladder control. In some cases of sleep apnea, drugs taken to avoid other complications could lead to adult wetting.

Psychological
An adult could experience physical shock or trauma that could lead to triggering of enuresis. Emotional distress could also be a reason. This kind of cause or situation is often times, the easiest to treat.

Natural Aging
Aging reduces our body’s control over muscles, sending neurological signals can be slower, reflexes are also slower. Bladder control among older adults could be a problem.

Adult bed wetting could deeply affect a person’s confidence, esteem and their relationship. Because of the fear of getting embarrassed and ashamed, adults who suffer from enuresis tend to hide their condition. It is important to encourage the adult sufferer to open up and talk about their problems. Dealing with these fears would help them get medical help. Normally, fear of getting embarrassed about bed wetting, prevents them from seeking professional and medical help. Family and friends are very important at this stage.

When seeking medical help, doctors would assess the situation to identify what is the primary cause of adult bed wetting. There are different urine management which can be done to help adult sufferers deal with bed wetting like relieving within specific time intervals, fluid management, sometimes with medication and exercising muscles.

There are different causes of nocturnal enuresis or bed wetting. But its most common causes are neurological or developmental delays and family history. Medical reasons are least common but possible causes. There are also studies showing that bed wetting can also be caused by stress. Although, stress is not the identified cause of primary enuresis or bed wetting since infancy, it could be attributed with secondary enuresis or reverting to night time wetting.

Emotional neglect could cause bedwetting

Children have different ways and methods of adapting to changes in their social relationships and environment. The changes could be minor or major, but these changes could be stressful to kids. Stress could happen if there is an additional member of the family like a new baby. Moving to a new home, bullying, divorce, and even death could cause stress among children.

Aside from these situations which could put stress to a child, emotional neglect could also be a cause of bed wetting. If a child is neglected or lack emotional stability, nighttime accidents could happen as response to the stress and anxiety.

If you have determined that stress has caused the child to return to bed wetting, then you would be able to address the issue. Once you have identified that stress is the reason, then talk to your doctor if getting your child see a psychologist would be suitable for the situation.

However, never assume that just because your child reverted to nighttime accidents means that he is under stress. There could be incidents in school and at home but may not be the reason. It is always safer to check with a doctor first, to get rid or overrule medical reasons.

If stress is indeed the cause of bed wetting, then you could also ask help from the members of the family. The family could show the child that they are there to support him or her. Enlist everyone in the family to help in guiding the bedwetter in the evening to avoid bed wetting. Bed wetting could interfere with some social activities, however, letting your child participate in some overnight activities could actually help and encourage your child to pursue with the night time training.

There are some experts who have pointed out that bed wetting could be a “vicious” cycle. If stress causes the child to wet the sheets, this could also cause serious stress to the parents. Stressed out parents could distress children more and even make the situation worse. There are studies showing that punishing and shaming children because of bed wetting could actually, increase nighttime accidents. This would eventually lead to more punishment and shaming. This could cause serious problems with the child’s confidence and self-esteem.