Question
The child has difficulty waking up at night due to enuresis and is unconscious upon waking up, commonly known as somnambulism. During the day, the child plays normally at school. The condition is worse in winter and lighter in summer. How should it be treated? Please kindly guide us by all means, thank you very much?
Answer
Enuresis refers to involuntary urination in children over three or four years old without any obvious organic changes. It is recommended to avoid spicy and stimulating foods in the diet. Do not over-restrict their water intake during the day, and require the child to retain urine casually at least once a day until they feel a slight discomfort from mild distension to train bladder function. Try to drink less water in the evening meal to reduce the burden on the kidneys and decrease nighttime urine output. Foods such as corn, Job’s tears, red beans, carp, and watermelons, due to their sweet taste and diuretic effects, can worsen enuresis, so they should be avoided. It is suggested to consult a doctor before treatment.