Can Sleep Apnea Cause Adult Bedwetting?

Bedwetting can be embarrassing for anyone, no matter their age; however, if you’re an adult struggling with the issue, it can be downright humiliating.  Problems with nocturnal enuresis, urinating while asleep, may not be the result of going to bed with a full bladder. Instead, it can be a sign of a serious underlying health complication, like sleep apnea in Weatherford. If you only wet the bad occasionally as an adult, it usually isn’t concerning, but if it’s a persistent problem and you have other symptoms of sleep apnea, you might need to see a doctor.

Sleep Apnea and Bedwetting

Research shows at least 22 million Americans live with obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes several pauses in breathing frequently throughout the night. Not only can it affect your quality of life but also your health.

Although snoring is often associated with the condition, bedwetting is also linked to it. In fact, one study found as much as 7% of people with the disorder also experience wetting the bed. If sleep apnea isn’t treated, the symptoms will also worsen, like more frequent episodes of nighttime urination.

Sleep apnea is caused by the soft structures in the throat collapsing to block the airway, which decreases oxygen and increases carbon dioxide. As a result, your blood will become more acidic, and your body is alerted that something is wrong. You’ll briefly awaken to reopen the airway, and your heart will excrete a hormone-like protein that signals your body to eliminate sodium and water, resulting in bedwetting.

Treating Sleep Apnea and Bedwetting

Thankfully, your sleep dentist in Weatherford can treat both conditions using an effective solution to stop the interruptions in breathing. Traditionally, a CPAP machine is used to deliver a steady stream of air pressure through a mask worn over the mouth or nose to keep the airway open. Although it’s effective, it can be bothersome, so it has a low compliance rate.

As an alternative, many patients are choosing oral appliance therapy to treat mild-to-moderate forms of sleep apnea. The custom-fit device looks like an athletic mouthguard, but it does more than protect the teeth. Instead, it repositions your jaw forward or holds your tongue in place to prevent the airway from being blocked. This is a comfortable and convenient option to improve your sleep apnea symptoms by as much as 95%, including wetting the bed.

Sleep Better Tonight

If the anxiety of a bedtime accident is keeping you awake, it’s time to see if sleep apnea is the cause. After undergoing a sleep study, your dentist can provide you with the relief you need to rest peacefully without worrying about any incidents during the night.

About Dr. Deborah A. Romack

Dr. Romack earned her dental degree with honors from Baylor College of Dentistry. She has undergone advanced training in many specialties, including sleep dentistry. If you have signs of the sleep disorder, or you’re not getting the relief you need with a CPAP, contact our office today to see if you’re a candidate for oral appliance therapy.