Bedwetting alarm

A bedwetting alarm is an electronic device used as a treatment option for nocturnal enuresis. The alarm activates when the wearer urinates. Alarms come in several different styles: wearable alarms, wireless alarms, and pad-type alarms. While there is some variation in the styles of the alarms, they all function similarly; each alarm has a moisture sensor component and an alarm component. When the child first begins to urinate the sensor will detect the moisture and trigger the alarm.

Bedwetting alarms are a treatment tool designed to teach people to respond to a full bladder by waking and using the toilet. This alert helps begin to condition the brain to register the bladder’s need to urinate.

Types of alarms

Wearable alarms

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Wearable Alarm Unit

Wireless Bedwetting Alarm

A wearable alarm is a design in which the child wears the moisture sensor in or on their underwear or pajamas. This type of sensor will detect moisture almost immediately. The sensor is attached to the alarm unit with a cord that can be worn under the shirt.

Wireless alarms

A wireless bedwetting alarm is one in which the sensor and the alarm unit communicate by a means other than a wire. The transmitter, which senses the moisture, is directly attached to the child's underwear. The signal is transmitted wirelessly to a unit that is across the room from the child or an alarm unit in the child's room. Once the alarm unit is activated, it is necessary to get out of bed to turn it off. New wireless alarms add the convenience of also sounding an alarm in the caregiver's room, allowing both patient and caregiver to sleep in the comfort of their own beds and rooms.

Pad-type alarms

Bell-and pad alarms do not attach to the child in any way. The moisture sensor is in the form of a pad or mat that the child sleeps on top of. The pad detects moisture after urine has leaked onto it. The alarm unit is connected with a cord and usually sits on the bedside stand. This alarm requires a larger amount of urine before the sensor can detect moisture. The person must be on the pad for it to sense moisture.

Selecting an alarm

A bedwetting or enuresis alarm will be used every night, sometimes more than once each night, for weeks and possibly much longer. The caregiver (parent) and patient (child) should consider several characteristics to identify a suitable alarm system:

1. Convenience: Is the alarm easy-to-use, including the wetness sensor being easy to attach and detach, and easy to clean and re-use?

2. Comfort: Is the alarm sensor small and light enough to be attached near the patient’s point of urination and be comfortable?

3. Flexibility: Will the alarm accommodate movement and motion by the patient? Can it be used with different clothing and under different night-time and day-time conditions (for example, the child may be playing and moving around)?

4. Durability: The alarm is likely to be used many times. Is it designed and built to work satisfactorily time and again?

5. Reliability: It is important that the sensor senses the urine and sounds the alarm reliably every time a bedwetting incident occurs. It is also important that false alarms not occur.

6. Effectiveness: Is the alarm effective in waking up the patient (child) and the caregiver (parent)? Is it loud enough, bright enough, vibrates enough, etc.? Can the parent be assured of being woken by the alarm when the child is woken, so the parent can verify that the child is awake and help in the clean-up and other procedures? Can the alarms be changed by the users to better suit them?

7. Cost: The initial cost of the alarm system is not the only cost that should be considered. There may be continuing costs associated with using the alarm, including extra parts and supplies, special clothing, modifications to clothing, and disposable items. Apart from the money being continuously spent, add the extra time, effort and inconvenience, and the overall cost can be significant over time.

Motivation and persistence are very important if alarm therapy is to be successful. Caregivers and patients are more likely to use the alarm system willingly and consistently if it is easy-to-use every time.

References

Bedwetting alarms: www.chummie.com