yawiki.org entry for Bedwetting alarm

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A bedwetting alarm is an electronic device which is used to alert children and adults that they are in the process of urinating while asleep (this is known as nocturnal enuresis). Bedwetting alarms are currently the only curative approach available for people suffering from bedwetting issues.

Alarms come in several different styles: wearable alarms, wireless alarms, and pad-type alarms. While there is some variation in the styles of the alarms, they all function similarly; each alarm has a moisture sensor component and an alarm component. When the child first begins to urinate the sensor will detect the moisture and sound the alarm.

Bedwetting alarms are a treatment tool designed to teach people to respond to a full bladder by waking and using the toilet. The alarm alerts the brain to the fact that urination has begun and that the person should stop, wake, and finish urinating in the toilet. This alert helps begin to condition the brain to register the bladder’s need to urinate. Unlike a standard alarm clock that is set to arbitrarily awaken a person to use the toilet while sleeping, a bedwetting alarm reacts to the person’s biological need to urinate. This conditioning method can only work with a bedwetting alarm, which senses urine and sounds. The time and amount a person urinates each night changes, so waking someone at a pre-determined time is ineffective. Bedwetting alarms are a mainstay in enuresis treatment and an easy first step to a solution.

    Bedwetting alarm
        Types of Alarms
            Wearable Alarms
            Wireless Alarms
            Pad-type Alarms
        When to Start
        Tips for Using a Bedwetting Alarm

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Types of Alarms

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Wearable Alarms
A wearable alarm is a design in which the child wears the moisture sensor in or on their underwear or pajamas. This type of sensor will detect moisture almost immediately. The sensor is attached to the alarm unit with a cord that can be worn under the shirt. These are the best alarms for most people. Examples include the Malem alarm.

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Wireless Alarms
A wireless bedwetting alarm is one in which the sensor and the alarm unit communicate by a means other than a wire. The transmitter, which senses the moisture, is directly attached to the child's underwear. The signal is transmitted wirelessly to a unit that is across the room from the child. Once the alarm unit is activated, it is necessary to get out of bed to turn it off.

This type of alarm is useful for people who prefer not to wear a shirt to bed or ones who find wearing an alarm with a cord to be difficult to attach or uncomfortable. Examples include the Rodger Alarm.

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Pad-type Alarms
Bell-and pad alarms do not attach to the child in any way. The moisture sensor is in the form of a pad or mat that the child sleeps on top of. The pad detects moisture after urine has leaked onto it. The alarm unit is connected with a cord and usually sits on the bedside stand. This alarm requires a larger amount of urine before the sensor can detect moisture. The person must be on the pad for it to sense moisture. This alarm may be preferable for a person with special needs that is bothered by an alarm that is attached to their clothing. Examples include the Wet-Call and Malem bedside alarm.

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When to Start
Deciding when your family and your child are both ready to work on achieving nighttime dryness is very individual. Since there is no absolute time for this to occur, the following are things you might consider:

Your child's temperament.

Some children naturally worry more than others. They worry that there is something wrong with them or that they are different from their peers. Other children are more easygoing and easily make accommodations for sleepovers. As a parent, you know your child's temperament better than anyone. Early intervention and much reassurance are helpful for the "worrier."

Family stressors.

Taking steps to achieve dryness requires effort from both parents and child, so it's helpful to choose a low-stress time to begin. High-stress times may be: immediately before holidays or family vacations; at the beginning of the school year; when your child is starting a new sport; following a sibling's birth; following a close family member's death; during or following a divorce; and while or following moving.

Your child's goals or obligations.

Your child might mention to you that she would really like to sleep at her friend's house without disposable pants or go to a week of camp with her friends next summer. These are often very realistic goals and indicate her level of motivation.

Your child's age.

Each child develops at a different rate, but the average child is dry at night by age 6. Some 5-year-olds are very motivated to become dry, whereas some 7-year-olds are not.

Whether they have had any dry nights.

In a 5- or 6-year-old who is having dry nights about half the time, supportive treatment may be all that is necessary as she continues to develop. However, a 6-year-old who has never had a dry night is less likely to get to dryness without intervention. In an older child, for example age 10 or 11, wetting even a few nights a week is too much. Intervention to get to complete dryness is warranted. Remind your child that there is help for bedwetting and a number of treatment options are available to make things better for him.
Although 97% of bedwetting children who are dry during the day have no medical reason for their bedwetting, a thorough medical history and examination is recommended before starting treatment. Some medical conditions that make achieving dryness more difficult include urinary tract infections, diabetes, constipation, and sleep apnea. These can be ruled out by your health care provider.

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Tips for Using a Bedwetting Alarm
Alarms work through behavioral conditioning. Initially, your child's bladder will have emptied by the time he or she hears the alarm. Over time, the new response will be one of stopping the urine flow when the alarm sounds. Use positive reinforcement by keeping charts to allow your child to track progress. Having smaller wet spots, with urine left to empty in the toilet, means you're on the right track.

Set Realistic Expectations

It takes 10 to 12 weeks for the average child to be consistently dry.

Your child will require assistance to learn how to wake to the alarm - this is a learned response and requires parent participation.

First Few Weeks are the Most Difficult

Parents should respond to the alarm by going to your child’s room and noting their response.

Reminding them of the next step – “put your feet on the floor and walk to the bathroom.” – is essential.

The alarm should be shut off only after the user is awake and his or her feet are on the floor.

Be Patient

A nightlight can help locate the bathroom more easily.

Do not be discouraged if your child doesn't remember what happened during the night – learning can still be taking place.

Your child is learning a new response to a full bladder - a new behavior that takes time.

Progress typically happens in small steps.

Attach the sensor to the outside of close fitting underwear, near where the first signs of wetness will appear.

Use positive reinforcement by using charts and tracking progress.

Progress can be measured by recording the frequency of wetting episodes per night, the time of the wetting and the size of the wet spot.

A washable waterproof pad on top of the sheets allows for easy clean up in the middle of the night and the morning.

Dry Nights! What Next?

Have your child use the alarm until he has 2 weeks of consecutive dry nights, and then use the alarm every other night for 2 more consecutive weeks of dryness. If wetting occurs during this process, start the 2-week weaning over again.

Fluid challenges(having the user drink an extra glass of water before bed) while wearing the alarm can help ascertain whether the user has developed the ability to anticipate urination and wake up to use the toilet.

Discontinuing the alarm prematurely can lead to a relapse of the wetting.

	Source Privacy License Download Contact Us Atlas Scientus.org Dictionary (Yet Another Wiki) RC : 1.39 This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License [copyleft]. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bedwetting alarm". link