The complete bedwetting dictionary: J
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☀️ Juvenile Enuresis
"Juvenile enuresis" is the medical term used to describe bedwetting in children and adolescents. The word "enuresis" comes from the Greek "en-ouresis", meaning "to urinate within". When the involuntary release happens during sleep, it is called "nocturnal enuresis".
Juvenile enuresis is much more common than parents realise. At age 5, about 15% of children still wet the bed regularly. By age 10, the figure is still around 5%. By the teenage years, perhaps 1 to 2% of children continue to have nocturnal accidents.
It is important to know that juvenile enuresis is not a sign of laziness, defiance, or psychological disturbance. It is a developmental condition with a strong genetic component, and in the great majority of cases it responds well to treatment. Many parents I have worked with carried a deep sense of guilt before they understood this. That guilt usually turns to relief once they realise they are dealing with a treatable condition, not a character flaw.