Well, we''re on a roll with causes of bed wetting theories. Here''s one
that seems to make sense. I''m still pretty
much sold on the idea that
it''s a hereditary issue - but it seems like if there are other causes
of bed wetting, they may be more controllable. If it''s just heredity,
you kind of have to wait it out until your child reaches the pre-set
magical age of dryness. By nature not especially patient, the idea of
waiting it out doesn''t appeal to me.
So, here''s what I''ve learned about the food and drink leading to
bedwetting theory.
Chocolate Oh no! Say it isn''t so! Well, actually it''s not necessarily the
chocolate; it''s the caffeine in chocolate that may cause bed wetting.
What does caffeine do? It stimulates the body, including the bladder.
So that evening cup of cocoa or slice of chocolate cake may be a
problem. (Gosh, now I''m craving chocolate!)
Soda
Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. Carbonation is rumored to do strange
things to immature bladders. Actually, for any adults who drink soda,
you know first-hand that a can of Coke is a ticket to the restroom.
It''s an effect that''s compounded by caffeine - and the sugar''s probably
not helping matters either.
Oranges and Grapefruits
OK, if you''ve actually got a child who will eat grapefruit, I''d
like to hear about it! But oranges are another story. I get a strange
reaction when I eat oranges (and raw cranberries for some reason) - my
face gets hot and I feel kind of funky. So, I''m assuming it''s possible
to be allergic to citrus. The citric acid is the most likely culprit.
Try cutting back on the orange juice and citrus in your child''s diet to
see what happens.
Spicy Stuff
There are some spices out there that could probably be rated
pharmaceutical grade. Think of the effect Chinese mustard has on your
nose! No doubt some of these spices have an equivalent effect on the
bladder. Salsa, Asian food, and other hot, hot, hot foods may be
contributing to the bedwetting problem.
Food Allergies
I''ve heard of people whose children are allergic to everything from
eggs to wheat, and have to say that dealing with bedwetting is nothing
compared to the trouble they have to go through just to feed their
children. Couple a serious food allergy with bedwetting, and it''s
enough to make you want to retreat to the bath tub for the next ten
years! Some allergies cause bladder spasms - which of course, means a
bedwetting accident. It''s not just food, either. Some people are really
sensitive to preservatives, dyes, and other additives. It doesn''t seem
that the only effect of a food allergy would be bedwetting, though. So
don''t throw out all your groceries just yet. But if your child has
multiple challenges, it''s something to consider. You may have to shop
around for an allergist - so be prepared.
So what do you do if you discover your child''s bedwetting problem
is caused by a food sensitivity? It''s not like being allergic to a cat
- get some shots or send Fluffy to live with Grandma. You''ll have to
enroll your child''s compliance on this (so what else is new?). Get your
child to see the value, the what''s-in-it-for-me of staying away from
what may be a favorite food. Dry nights are pretty valuable - and your
child may come to see the tradeoff as worthwhile. The sensitivity may
be temporary, too - and that should help.
After all, just the thought of never being able to eat chocolate is cruel and unusual punishment.