When a child, a teen, or an adult cannot stop himself from urinating while he is asleep, he is suffering from a condition called nocturnal enuresis. Nocturnal enuresis is more popularly known as bedwetting. But there really is nothing popular about bedwetting. The after effects of a night of bedwetting not only involve wet smelly sheets but also a substantial erosion of the concerned person's confidence.

Bedwetting is often traced to the absence of control over the bladder. The bladder is an important part of the excretory system. Other parts include the urethra, the ureters, and the bean-shaped kidneys. The bladder is shaped like a balloon and this is where urine is temporarily stored. When the urine in the bladder reaches a certain volume, it sends a message towards the brain. The brain registers it and the person becomes aware of the impending release of urine. Thus, he goes to the toilet.

For young children, whose age is below five, the control of the bladder is not yet fully developed. And this is why they accidentally release urine while they are asleep. This particular bedwetting is called primary nocturnal enuresis. The bedwetting may happen about twice a week. As they grow older, they gain better control. This is how they outgrow the bedwetting phase.

There are cases, however, when bedwetting happens again after the child had kept himself dry at night for more than six months. Such is described as secondary nocturnal enuresis. When this particular type of bedwetting occurs, the parents or guardians must bring the child to a doctor who will conduct an extensive physical examination. The reason for this is that the bedwetting may have been a symptom of a medical disorder, such as bladder infection.

There is also accidental wetting that occurs during the day. Doctors called it diurnal enuresis. There are less cases of pants wetting than bedwetting. This is because children develop the daytime control of urination earlier than the nighttime control.

Bedwetting also happens to children older than six. While this can become a source of embarrassment, many health professionals believe that such bedwetting is caused by a delayed development of bladder control. Most of the time, such prognosis is accurate. But there are cases when something else has caused the bedwetting.

Some teens suffer bedwetting or accidental wetting. With such cases, bedwetting is not merely due to no bladder control. The parents or guardians must look into other reasons for the bedwetting, such as emotional problems or a medical illness.

Some adults also suffer from bedwetting. But these cases are often ignored or kept secret. Like the bedwetting among teens, the adult bedwetting may be due to illness or psychological pressure.