| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | There are some spices out there that could probably |
| Well, we're on a roll with causes of bed wetting | | | | be rated pharmaceutical grade. Think of the effect |
| theories. Here's one that seems to make sense. I'm still | | | | Chinese mustard has on your nose! No doubt some of |
| pretty much sold on the idea that it's a hereditary issue | | | | these spices have an equivalent effect on the bladder. |
| - but it seems like if there are other causes of bed | | | | Salsa, Asian food, and other hot, hot, hot foods may |
| wetting, they may be more controllable. If it's just | | | | be contributing to the bedwetting problem. |
| heredity, you kind of have to wait it out until your child | | | | Food Allergies |
| reaches the pre-set magical age of dryness. By nature | | | | I've heard of people whose children are allergic to |
| not especially patient, the idea of waiting it out doesn't | | | | everything from eggs to wheat, and have to say that |
| appeal to me. | | | | dealing with bedwetting is nothing compared to the |
| So, here's what I've learned about the food and drink | | | | trouble they have to go through just to feed their |
| leading to bedwetting theory. | | | | children. Couple a serious food allergy with bedwetting, |
| Chocolate | | | | and it's enough to make you want to retreat to the |
| Oh no! Say it isn't so! Well, actually it's not necessarily | | | | bath tub for the next ten years! Some allergies cause |
| the chocolate; it's the caffeine in chocolate that may | | | | bladder spasms - which of course, means a |
| cause bed wetting. What does caffeine do? It | | | | bedwetting accident. It's not just food, either. Some |
| stimulates the body, including the bladder. So that | | | | people are really sensitive to preservatives, dyes, and |
| evening cup of cocoa or slice of chocolate cake may | | | | other additives. It doesn't seem that the only effect of |
| be a problem. (Gosh, now I'm craving chocolate!) | | | | a food allergy would be bedwetting, though. So don't |
| Soda | | | | throw out all your groceries just yet. But if your child |
| Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. Carbonation is rumored to do | | | | has multiple challenges, it's something to consider. You |
| strange things to immature bladders. Actually, for any | | | | may have to shop around for an allergist - so be |
| adults who drink soda, you know first-hand that a can | | | | prepared. |
| of Coke is a ticket to the restroom. It's an effect that's | | | | So what do you do if you discover your child's |
| compounded by caffeine - and the sugar's probably | | | | bedwetting problem is caused by a food sensitivity? It's |
| not helping matters either. | | | | not like being allergic to a cat - get some shots or send |
| Oranges and Grapefruits | | | | Fluffy to live with Grandma. You'll have to enroll your |
| OK, if you've actually got a child who will eat grapefruit, | | | | child's compliance on this (so what else is new?). Get |
| I'd like to hear about it! But oranges are another story. I | | | | your child to see the value, the what's-in-it-for-me of |
| get a strange reaction when I eat oranges (and raw | | | | staying away from what may be a favorite food. Dry |
| cranberries for some reason) - my face gets hot and I | | | | nights are pretty valuable - and your child may come |
| feel kind of funky. So, I'm assuming it's possible to be | | | | to see the tradeoff as worthwhile. The sensitivity may |
| allergic to citrus. The citric acid is the most likely culprit. | | | | be temporary, too - and that should help. |
| Try cutting back on the orange juice and citrus in your | | | | After all, just the thought of never being able to eat |
| child's diet to see what happens. | | | | chocolate is cruel and unusual punishment. |
| Spicy Stuff | | | | |