Bed Wetting and Bladder Control
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Wet blankets and sheets in the morning, soaked, smelly pajamas, soggy, cold, and wet underwear, and a very uncomfortable, embarrassed and ashamed child - this is a picture of bed wetting (Nocturnal Enuresis) and loss of bladder control for children.
Enuresis simply stated is bed wetting past the usual time a child is potty trained - whereas loss of bladder control applies to children (and adults) during the day. Have you heard of the new “Overactive Bladder Disease?” Don’t you just love marketing?
It is estimated that 1 out of 5 young children wets the bed regularly. This means that 20% of children under the age of ten wet their bed. Not Ok! Imagine what this does to a child’s self-esteem. Incidentally, the oldest patient I have seen with this condition was a 23-year-old receptionist.
Over time, various reasons and “causes” have been proposed as the origin of bed wetting; psychological, habitual, etc. Many methods have been used to “treat” this affliction; alarm systems in the bed, electric shocks, hypnosis, drugs, waking the child, psychotherapy, spankings, self-blame, the “bad boy” syndrome, punishments, etc. None of these have had much of an affect. And not that many years ago, it was thought to be the result of a child simply misbehaving. What bizarre beings we can be! Reminds me of the Dark Ages!
Bed-wetting or loss of bladder control occurs when there is improper function of the valve (sphincter), which controls the flow of urine from the bladder. Many people think of it as a faucet or a spigot - turning on the flow of urine from the bladder.
So what controls this faucet? Good question. This valve is simply a ring of muscle which contracts, or relaxes, to control urine flow. So what controls this ring of muscle - this valve? You would be surprised to learn that this valve is under total control of the nervous system - that internal INTERNET which runs your complete body program. This valve actually has two sets of nerves, which control its function; one is under voluntary control, which means you go when you want to. The other is on “autopilot” or “automatic.” In other words, the child has no voluntary control over this particular one. The function of these two sets of nerves is controlled by the child’s nervous system, which keeps both in check and balance. If the nervous system is allowed to function with no interference, there should be no problem with wetting the bed, or the pants, or the underwear, in school or at home. Period!
Beware of ads suggesting that it is OK for children to wet the bed because now there are school age diapers available. These ads seem to suggest that the bladder may not have developed properly and so a diaper is the answer. Nonsense! This is called marketing!
Have you noticed ads recently, mentioning a new “disease”? Yes…..the medical industry has developed a new disease. It is called the “Overactive Bladder Disease”. And as you may have guessed, there is a drug to deal with this condition. Isn’t it a wonderful service the pharmaceutical industry is providing for us?
Similar thinking holds true for school age or adult diapers. Instead of dealing with the reason WHY the bladder is not functioning, it is much more profitable to put adults and school age children in “diapers”. Marketing states that it is now socially acceptable to go shopping and do your business as you walk because you are wearing diapers. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
Most chiropractors who deal with children will tell you that kids who are bed wetters, and those afflicted with loss of bladder control, respond very well to chiropractic care. The reason for this is quite simple - we deal with removing any interference to the normal function of the nervous system. Applying this concept to a child (or adult) whose nervous system control of his or her bladder is lacking, the results can be quite amazing. If your child, or someone you love, is experiencing difficulty with bladder control, please call us, we can help!
Healthy Habits Start at Home
“Chemicals can come out of our products and end up in the air and dust in the home, where they can enter your body,” says Dr. Ami Zota, an environmental and public health expert at George Washington University. Her team recently discovered 45 different chemicals that are commonly found in indoor dust. Many of the identified chemicals belong to a group called “endocrine disruptors.”
When endocrine disruptors get into your body, they can mimic or block the natural hormones your body makes. Evidence suggests that endocrine disrupters might reduce fertility, raise the risk for some cancers, or cause other harms. These chemicals may pose their greatest health risks when people are exposed in the womb or during their first few years of life, when hormones are guiding development of the body’s organs and brain.
Substances thought to cause endocrine disruption include certain fragrances, pesticides, and stain-resistant coatings. NIH-funded researchers study the health effects of several types of chemical classes tied to hormone disruption, including phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates), PFCs (or perfluorinated chemicals), and flame retardants.
Phthalates are a family of man-made chemicals used to make plastics, cleaners, and fragrances. The human health effects of phthalates are not yet fully known but are being studied by several government agencies, including NIH. In animals, phthalate exposure has been linked to many reproductive health and developmental problems. To reduce your exposure, read product labels and avoid using products that contain phthalates. Some—but not all—phthalate-containing products might be clearly labeled: “contains phthalates.” But sometimes phthalates might be listed as a 3- or 4-letter abbreviation, such as BBP, DBP, or DEP. These phthalates must be listed among the ingredients on product labels, unless they are added as a part of the “fragrance.”
“Many hundreds of chemicals can be classified as fragrance,” Patisaul explains. “So when you use a cleaner with a scent, it probably has some phthalates in it—even though the label doesn’t specifically say phthalates.” You can look for “fragrance-free” products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also provides the “Safer Choice” label, which is used on products made with ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment.
PFCs are widely used to make everyday products more resistant to stains, grease, and water. They can be found in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant sofas and carpets, and waterproofed clothing and mattresses. In animal studies, some PFCs disrupt normal hormone activity, reduce immune system function, or cause developmental problems. Some evidence suggests that certain PFCs may also affect human health, with possible ties to low birth weight, obesity, and testicular and kidney cancers.
Certain PFCs, like those used to make Teflon, are being phased out of use in the U.S. But some older household items, like nonstick pans, may still contain them. If you have an older nonstick pan that is dinged and worn out, try to replace it.
Flame retardants are added or applied to materials to slow or prevent a fire. But a growing body of evidence links many of these chemicals to negative health effects in animals and humans. Flame retardants can be found in foam, upholstery, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and fabric blinds. Flame retardant use has been declining in recent years. But these chemicals are still found in some products. When buying new items, especially for children, try to purchase furnishings filled with cotton, polyester, or wool, instead of polyurethane foam.
“The best thing is to become aware that there are chemicals in your environment, and there are very simple things that you can do to lower your exposure,” Patisaul says.
Chemicals are everywhere, and most are harmless. Limiting the potentially toxic ones in your day-to-day life can help you create a safer, healthier home.
Learn what’s in the products you purchase, and make informed decisions. You can also take steps to get rid of risky chemicals by keeping the dust down in your house. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/12/making-healthier-home
This information may seem overwhelming especially with where to start. If you need help with where to start, you can head over to Dr. Mary Beth’s Facebook page Primal Parents with help on this topic! Start with reading labels and not buying any new products that contain BPA, phthalates, PFCs and air out all products with flame retardants before use. The industry is filling up with natural products, free of fragrances and chemicals, so know you are not alone, and more companies are putting these products on their shelves to make your shopping life easier. Then as you replace your used products at home simply switch them to a natural, chemical free product instead.
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If you are tired of being stuck in the traditional “health” care model and want another approach, contact us today! We can’t wait to welcome you into the Prime Chiropractic family!
And as always, if you have any questions, or would information on any health topic, it would be my pleasure to help you!