People with NDI face unique challenges in their daily lives. You can also find helpful resources in our Support section.
Author: Knoers, Nine
Since NDI children have to drink water and urinate so much more than a child without NDI, it can be challenging for the NDI child to develop his power of concentration. For example, normally a child can sit at his desk and stay there doing his class assignment until it is done. The NDI child has to go to the bathroom two to three times an hour as well as drink water during that hour, so there is a lot to disrupt his attention.
The teenage years can be a challenge for the NDI child and his parents because, like all young teenagers, the NDI child may go through a period of rebellion: not wanting to take his medications, not wanting to be different, wanting to eat salty snack foods like the rest of his friends. One of the most dangerous things an NDI youth can do is drink alcohol. The NDIpatient is used to drinking a lot of liquid in the form of water, and this habit could carry over to alcohol. Alcohol is dehydrating in itself and this could be disastrous for NDI teenagers, especially if they were reluctant to take their medications.
Enuresis (en-yur-ee-sis) is the medical term used to describe the involuntary discharge of urine beyond the age when a child is old enough to be able to control urination (usually considered to be 6 years of age for nighttime control). There are several types of enuresis:
DIURNAL ENURESIS is wetting that occurs during waking hours.
PRIMARY NOCTURNAL ENURESIS is a lack of the achievement of total bladder control during sleep.
The National Enuresis Society (merged with National Kidney Foundation) is a not-for-profit organization of doctors, medical personnel, and other persons dedicated to building greater awareness and understanding of enuresis. By creating this awareness and understanding, the NES hopes to help improve both the treatment of enuresis and the quality of life for children with enuresis and their families.
National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd St., Suite 1100
New York, NY 10016
Phone number: (800) 622-9010 or (212) 889-2210
Fax: (212) 689-9261
Notmykid.org has a section on their website that has valuable information on enuresis and includes useful links to articles, advocacy organizations, websites, books and references.
