1
Kidney yang deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Night wetting with cold clear urine, cold limbs, weak lower back and deep sleep, pale tongue
- Treatment principle
- Warm kidney yang and secure urine
Pediatricxiǎo ér yí niào
Bedwetting
Also called:nocturnal enuresisbedwetting
From the TCM perspective: Enuresis: kidney and bladder failing to secure
Overview
Repeated bedwetting after age five during sleep is usually developmental and inherited, improving with time and never the child's fault. TCM mainly sees immature/deficient kidney-bladder qi failing to secure urine at night, or lung-spleen qi deficiency, occasionally damp-heat.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Lung-spleen qi deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Wetting with fatigue, sweat, frequent colds and poor appetite, pale tooth-marked tongue
- Treatment principle
- Tonify lung-spleen qi
3
Damp-heat pouring downward
- Key distinguishing signs
- Wetting with dark pungent urine, genital itch/redness, bitter mouth and yellow coat
- Treatment principle
- Clear damp-heat
4
Fright/anxiety affecting the bladder
- Key distinguishing signs
- Onset after stress/a new event, bad dreams and daytime anxiety
- Treatment principle
- Calm the spirit and secure the bladder
Daily self-care
- Never punish; reassure the child. Limit evening fluids, void before bed and use a daytime voiding schedule.
- Reward dry days, use a waterproof pad, and consider a bedwetting alarm with guidance.
- Treat constipation, check urine infection/diabetes, and seek advice if persistent beyond 6-7 years.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- New daytime wetting, intermittent/strained stream or marked urgency.
- Excess thirst/urine with weight loss (diabetes).
- Fever, back/abdominal pain, painful urination, bloody urine, or wetting after a back injury.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.