Too old to wet the bed?

Bedwetting can be embarrassing at any age. But what about a young adult who is trying to hide his problem from his friends? Teenagers who wet the bed, suffering from a problem known as bedwetting, may find it even more embarrassing than younger children. After all, children should stop wetting the bed before they reach adolescence, right? Not necessarily. For parents: What can I do for my teenager? Chances are good that a teen with bedwetting won't suffer from it forever. Most teens naturally outgrow bedwetting as they grow up, and only a very small percentage suffer from it later, says Molly Haig of the Enuresis Resource and Information Centre ERIC. Until then, your child's self-esteem is at stake; the longer they experience the embarrassment of wetting the bed, the more self-esteem they're likely to lose. So, contact a doctor as soon as your teen tells you about the problem. Then you can take charge as a team, suggests Denise Witmer, a parenting expert at About.com. Be encouraging. Don't make a big deal about bedwetting, says Witner. Show your child how to strip back the sheets and do laundry. Witmer also advises parents to keep the problem to themselves. Sharing this problem with other family members or friends will only embarrass your [teen], she says. For teenagers: How can I get help? If you're a teen who wets the bed, be sure to talk to someone first. It can be difficult, but you're not the only one your age who suffers from bedwetting. In fact, according to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 to 2 in 100 teens wet the bed by the age of 15. Ask your parents for help first; the parents of many bedwetters suffered from the same problem as children, so your mother or father may have experienced the same thing. Even if they've never suffered from bedwetting, your parents or another trusted adult will be more interested in helping you overcome the problem than embarrassing you. Keeping it to yourself prevents you from being examined by a doctor if necessary (sometimes a simple urinary tract infection is the cause). Moreover, even if the doctor can't find a physical cause for your condition, they can give you advice on how to manage your bedwetting. And what about social situations? Teens with bedwetting have other worries than which classmates will be at the football game. They may be too focused on hiding their bedwetting problem to enjoy social situations. While there are ways to keep bedwetting a secret, ERIC counselors suggest that sometimes it's best to confide in a few close friends and tell them about your problem. Once that's out there, there's no need to worry about spending the night elsewhere, for example. If you're comfortable confiding in them, tell your friends that you have a health problem and that you're following a plan designed to correct the problem with the support of your doctor. You can share the statistics with them, as they may not know how common bedwetting is among children. When you're comfortable talking about your bedwetting, you won't have to feel isolated from your friends. If you don't feel comfortable sharing your "secret" with your friends, or if you're afraid your friends will be uncomfortable with your problem, talk to your doctor and parents about strategies to avoid wetting the bed at night. Try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages before bed, and remember to urinate several times before sleeping. Another option that can save you the embarrassment of wet sheets is to use disposable pads. You can put them on while putting on your pajamas, and no one will know. How can I find support? Use the internet to find local or online support groups where you can exchange ideas with others suffering from the same problem. Visit the website , which offers information and discussion forums for parents and children. Getting advice from real families dealing with bedwetting can help your own family through this time. If you don't succeed the first time... Sit down with your parents and doctor to develop a plan. Don't give up. Chances are good you'll join the thousands of teens who have conquered bedwetting.