How Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Connected to Bedwetting –

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and bedwetting can sometimes go hand in hand. Breathing while sleeping for adults with sleep apnea can be difficult. With decreased oxygen supply, the brain sends signals so that other organs can work harder to compensate. Consequently, there are fewer resources left to control other bodily functions including the bladder.

An article from the American Sleep Apnea Association states that during a sleep apnea episode, the soft structures in the throat relax and block the airway which can result in a chain of physiological events: the oxygen decreases, the carbon dioxide increases, the heart rate drops, the blood becomes more acidic, and the lung’s blood vessels constrict.

This article discusses the connection between obstructive sleep apnea as the cause of bedwetting in adults.

How Bedwetting Occurs

During a sleep apnea episode, the soft tissues in your neck close. The oxygen supply in your bloodstream decreases while the levels of carbon dioxide increase, making your blood more acidic. This results in a drop in your heart rate and contracting blood vessels in the lungs. It sends an alert to your brain telling your body to wake up and reopen your airways.

As your heart begins to race, the brain sends a signal to your body and tricks it to get rid of water and sodium through urination.

Cure for Bedwetting Caused by Sleep Apnea

Patients with undiagnosed sleep apnea who also experience wetting their beds can find it resolved once they become CPAP compliant. According to the study Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Secondary Enuresis, bedwetting caused by obstructive sleep apnea can be corrected with CPAP. Decreasing the upper airway resistance corrects the factors in bedwetting caused by sleep apnea.

Once obstructive sleep apnea is identified and treated, followed by the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the bedwetting tendency of the adult can be resolved as well.

Bedwetting in adults is nothing to be ashamed of. It serves as a warning that something is not right and should be fixed as soon as possible. Get help by visiting a medical expert specializing in sleep disorders to address not only your sleep apnea but also your bedwetting problem.