Children can suffer with bladder and bowel issues. In our time-pressed lives, difficulties in these areas can cause significant stress for both parents and the children alike. It is important to note that most paediatric continence issues are NOT behavioural – they are many times caused by chronic constipation or poor drinking and toileting habits.
Children can have problems with:
Daytime wetting
Bed wetting (Nocturnal Enuresis)
Urinary urgency and frequency
Soiling with bowels (Faecal Incontinence / Encopresis)
Constipation and holding stool.
Voiding dysfunction
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Early intervention can stop children’s toilet issues from escalating into major problems which affect self-esteem, behaviour and performance at school.
After assessment the child (and the parents) will be taught appropriate management strategies to assist with resolution of the problem. Some tests are important for children to undergo such as a micro-urine, renal ultrasound and in some cases, a blood test to eliminate other medical conditions. A bladder diary will need to be performed as soon as possible after the initial consultation.
Bed-wetting alarms are available for sale on top of the treatment cost for an initial or follow-up appointment. Check with your health fund if they will pay a rebate on a bed-wetting alarm. EMG biofeedback may be used to teach the child to relax the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor muscles to allow complete relaxation and therefore complete bladder and bowel emptying.
Sue, Megan and Samantha treat our paediatric patients. The physiotherapist will often talk directly to the child through most of the consultation rather than interacting so much with the parent to gain rapport with the child. Sometimes the physiotherapist may ring you the night before to discuss the child’s issues.
A bedwetting alarm
