Bladder leakage is embarrassing enough for an adult or elderly person, but imagine how shameful it must be for a teenager. During that stage of their life, young men and women are already expediting so many changes in their body and their social lives that it can be overwhelming for them to have to deal with one more thing.
While battling acne, the dating world, their circle of friends and changes in body hair, teenagers have plenty to become embarrassed about. When you throw incontinence into the mix, it can be tough to know how to deal with it. The average teenager is likely to not even want to talk about the problem, much less go to tell a medical professional about it.
It’s important that you talk to your kids and pay attention to the signs that they may be suffering from incontinence. Look for wet clothes and sheets in the morning as well as your child drinking less around bedtime. Be sure to have an open discussion with them if you think they may be hiding a bedwetting problem.
The most common reason for teenage incontinence is a pelvic injury of some kind. This injury may have damaged pelvic muscles, which control the bladder and can cause leakage. Bladder infections or urinary tract infections can cause incontinence as well, and that’s something your teenager may pick up once they become sexually active.
If your teenager does admit to having trouble controlling their bladder, your best option is to take them to see a medical professional for a diagnosis. Your teenager may need expert help in treating the problem, as it is entirely possible that it won’t go away on its own. Incontinence may last for only a weak as the body heals itself, but if there is a serious cause behind the issue, then it’s going to take a concerted effort and medical treatment to get things back on track. Teenage incontinence can be treated successfully to the point where it is cured, but that may take time.
You should stress to your teenager how important it is that they follow the doctor’s instructions in treating the problem. You should also let them know that you will not tell anyone about their condition that they don’t want you to. It is important to your teenager that they not be embarrassed, so confidentiality concerning this issue and establishing trust between you and them are extremely important. If you can do that, then your teenager is more likely to do well with the treatment and to follow professional medical advice concerning the problem.
Your teenager should also know that the problem is not their fault. There may be genetic factors at work that make them more likely to experience incontinence. You can help them feel less ashamed about the issue if you tell them about anybody in their family who may have experienced the same problem, including yourself, if applicable.
Teenagers will struggle with incontinence without getting the help they need, and you have to be there for your teenager. Be sure to support and encourage them and most of all, get them the treatment they need in order to conquer this problem. Let your teen know that this is likely not something that they will have to deal with forever, and the sooner they start doing the treatment, the sooner they will be over the incontinence.
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