Can Certain Foods Trigger Bedwetting?

Adults and children are burdened with bedwetting problems and often find themselves in upsetting, embarrassing and discomforting situations.

Bedwetting problem can be commonly seen in children below five years.

But, some children as old as 15 years old and adults are affected by this problem.

If you properly handle bedwetting, it can be treatable. There is no one cause responsible for bedwetting.

Various factors contribute to bedwetting. A bladder infection, diabetes or drinking too much fluids right before bedtime can cause bed wetting. There are certain foods that can cause bed wetting. [Causes of Bed Wetting]

Foods that trigger bedwetting:

Spices: Spicy foods increase the speed of the removal process inside the body. If your child insists on spicy foods, you have to avoid your child consuming spicy foods as it contributes to bed wetting.

Caffeine in chocolate: Excessive urination can be caused with high caffeine foods that are mostly found in chocolates. The caffeine found in chocolate stimulates your child’s body, especially if your child suffers already from sensitive bladder.

Citrus fruits: The water content in citrus fruits such as grapes and oranges is high. The acid levels in citrus fruits disrupt sensitive bladder and cause the need to urinate in the middle of the night. When the child is not trained to control the bladder, bed wetting occurs.

Colas and other drinks: Colas, tea, and coffee all contain caffeine that irritates the bladder and increase the urgency to urinate more frequently.

Food allergens: There are common food items that create spasms within the bladder and leads to bedwetting. Your child can have allergic reactions to some foods when a bedwetting like this occurs.

When allergies are present, your child’s bladder can shrink causing incontinence. Foods that trigger bedwetting include peanuts, wheat, corn, dairy, soy and eggs. You should avoid foods with high doses of artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives just before bedtime.

Keep your child hydrated. Drinking enough water helps the body to function properly and keeps the kidneys healthy. Water should be given in the earlier part of the day and less water to be given one or two hours before bedtime.

Apple juice causes increased urine in some due to the presence of patulin and gallic acid. Encourage your child to eat apples during daytime, but do not serve in the evenings or before bedtime.

If it is hard to keep your child away from foods that trigger bedwetting, you have to use various behavioral techniques to keep them away. A bedwetting alarm can be used for children over the age of seven.

In young children, you can keep reward system for keeping the bed dry. It encourages the children to avoid foods that trigger bedwetting. Monitor what your child eats before bedtime and eliminate foods that contribute to bedwetting.

There are natural ways to cure bedwetting which do not involve drugs. The methods are restoring the biochemical balance of the body and making lifestyle changes. There are many alternative treatments available to cure bedwetting.