Treatment of urinary incontinence in children

Children's urinary incontinence can be improved through medication, behavioral intervention, bladder function training and other methods. Choosing the appropriate method according to individual conditions will have better results. If there is no improvement for a long time, accompanied by other symptoms or it has affected the child's daily life, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor as soon as possible.

1. Common treatment methods

Urinary incontinence in children is usually related to bladder function development, psychological state or other physiological problems. The following are some common interventions and treatments:

-Medication: For some cases of urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder or nocturnal enuresis, your doctor may prescribe medication. For example, antidiuretic hormone analogs (such as desmopressin) can help reduce nighttime urine production, and anticholinergic drugs (such as oxybutynin) can reduce over-contraction of the bladder.

- Bladder training: Help your child develop a habit of regular toileting, such as timed urination (going to the toilet every 2-3 hours), to exercise bladder control. You can also reduce the risk of involuntary urination by increasing water intake during the day and reducing caffeinated drinks.

-Psychological and behavioral intervention: For situations caused by psychological stress or nocturnal urinary incontinence, psychological counseling can be sought if necessary. The "alarm clock timed wake-up method" commonly used by some families can also remind children to urinate at night and improve their bladder control ability at night.

2. Diet and lifestyle adjustments

A healthy diet and lifestyle can also help improve urinary incontinence:

- Eat a balanced diet: Increasing your intake of high-fiber foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) can help prevent constipation, which can lead to frequent urination or incontinence.

-Control your water intake before bed: Avoid drinking too much fluid 1-2 hours before bedtime, and reduce the intake of stimulating drinks.

- Reasonable exercise: Moderate physical activity can promote blood circulation and strengthen the lower abdominal muscles, which helps with bladder control.

3. Surgical treatment (only in special cases)

Surgery may be necessary for a small number of children whose incontinence is caused by anatomic abnormalities or by disturbances in nerve signals to the bladder:

-Bladder augmentation surgery: This is done when the bladder is too small and causes urinary incontinence.

-Urethra reconstruction surgery: repairs urinary incontinence caused by congenital urethral malformations.

-Spinal cord surgery: Suitable for cases of urinary incontinence caused by nerve problems (such as myelomeningocele).

If treatment is not effective after a period of trial and error, or if the child's urinary incontinence is accompanied by other symptoms (such as urinary pain, blood in the urine, etc.), you should seek medical attention in a timely manner for detailed examination and diagnosis.

Urinary incontinence in children is not an unsolvable problem. Parents first need to be patient and give their children enough support and encouragement. Through reasonable treatment and adjustment, the condition of most children can be improved or even completely recovered. It is recommended to have regular follow-up visits to evaluate the treatment effect and adjust the strategy according to the advice of professional doctors.