Urinary Tract Infections And Bedwetting

Urinary Tract Infections Can Be Easily Identified And Treated If your child has been dry at night for more than six consecutive months and is now wetting the bed again, it could be due to a urinary tract infection. This can lead to frequent urination, even when the bladder is not full, and cause bedwetting in young children. When it comes to nocturnal enuresis, urinary tract infections are mainly associated with secondary nocturnal enuresis (the child stayed dry, but then started wetting the bed again), as opposed to primary nocturnal enuresis (the child always wet the bed).Urinary tract infections are generally not serious. They can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection There are several tell-tale signs if you suspect your child has a urinary tract infection. The best way to confirm is to have them have a urine test at the doctor's, but you can also check for the following symptoms: Pain or burning sensation during urination Frequent and urgent need to urinate, even if nothing comes out foul-smelling urine Cloudy urine Blood in the urine Abdominal pain Lower back pain Pressure in the lower pelvis Fever Nocturnal enuresis (if the child has been dry for at least six consecutive months) Note that a child does not need to have all these symptoms to have a urinary tract infection. Types of Urinary Tract Infection The urinary tract consists of the bladder, kidneys and urethra. The specific type of urinary tract infection will depend on where the infection is located. Cystitis: Infection of the bladder Pyelonephritis: Infection of the kidneys Uretritis: Infection of the urethra Cystitis and urethritis are classified as lower urinary tract infections, while pyelonephritis is considered an upper urinary tract infection. Upper urinary tract infections can cause more serious kidney problems, but the risk is low, especially if treated early. Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections In most cases, the treatment for urinary tract infections is simply a course of antibiotics. Sufferers should see an improvement in their symptoms as soon as they start taking antibiotics. Before the antibiotics take effect, it is advisable to drink plenty of water, which can help to eliminate the bacteria in the urinary tract. Antibiotic treatments for lower urinary tract infections are generally fairly short (3 to 5 days), unlike upper urinary tract infections (7 to 10 days). What causes urinary tract infections? Most urinary tract infections in children are caused by bacteria entering the urethra. This is more common in girls, as their urethra is shorter and more exposed to bacteria from the rectum. Infection can occur when soiled toilet paper comes into contact with the genitals. Other causes of urinary tract infections in children are dehydration, constipation or any obstruction to the normal flow of urine. In sexually active people, urinary tract infections can occur when bacteria are transmitted during sexual intercourse. Preventing Urinary Tract Infections After dealing with a urinary tract infection, it's understandable that you never want your child to experience one again. There are no guarantees, but there are some things you can do to prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections. Encourage girls to wipe from front to back when using the bathroom. Encourage boys to regularly clean the area around their foreskin Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and is not dehydrated Keep track of your child's bowel movements and treat constipation if it occurs Buy comfortable cotton underwear for your child rather than tight-fitting underwear made from synthetic materials.