Enuresis vs. Incontinence — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
Enuresis typically refers to involuntary urination, especially by children at night, whereas incontinence involves the loss of bladder or bowel control across various ages and conditions.
Difference Between Enuresis and Incontinence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Enuresis, often termed bedwetting, mainly affects children and usually occurs during sleep, highlighting its developmental nature. Whereas incontinence can affect individuals of any age and may happen during both waking and sleeping hours, pointing to broader medical or physical causes.
Behavioral therapies, such as bladder training and moisture alarms, are commonly used to manage enuresis. In contrast, incontinence may require more diverse treatments, including medications, physical therapy, or even surgery, reflecting its complex etiologies.
The social and psychological impacts of enuresis are typically focused on the child and parental concern about normal development. Conversely, incontinence can lead to broader social embarrassment and significant lifestyle limitations, affecting the individual's quality of life across different ages.
Diagnosis of enuresis is generally straightforward, often based on parental reports and the child's age. Whereas the diagnosis of incontinence may involve a variety of tests to determine underlying causes such as neurological disorders, prostate issues, or diabetes.
Comparison Chart
Typical Occurrence
During sleep (nighttime)
Any time (day or night)
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Common Causes
Developmental stages, stress
Physical conditions, injuries, aging
Treatment Approaches
Behavioral therapies, alarms
Medications, surgery, physical therapy
Psychological Impact
Focused on normal development worries
Wider social and lifestyle impacts
Compare with Definitions
Enuresis
Involuntary nighttime urination in children.
Jane's son was diagnosed with enuresis after his sixth birthday.
Incontinence
Requires comprehensive diagnostic procedures.
Diagnosing incontinence may involve urodynamic tests.
Enuresis
Associated with deep sleep or stress.
Enuresis can be exacerbated by stressors in a child's environment.
Incontinence
Can be a result of physical injury or medical conditions.
Spinal injuries often lead to incontinence.
Enuresis
Often managed without medical intervention.
Most cases of enuresis resolve as the child matures.
Incontinence
Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Incontinence can be a distressing symptom for elderly patients.
Enuresis
Diagnosis is typically parental and observational.
Parents usually report enuresis based on wet beds.
Incontinence
Impacts broader aspects of life and social interactions.
Incontinence requires careful management to maintain quality of life.
Enuresis
A developmental condition with potential psychological impacts.
Enuresis can affect a child's self-esteem if not handled sensitively.
Incontinence
Managed through a variety of medical treatments.
Medications are frequently prescribed for managing incontinence.
Enuresis
Enuresis is a repeated inability to control urination. Use of the term is usually limited to describing people old enough to be expected to exercise such control.
Incontinence
The quality or state of being incontinent.
Enuresis
Involuntary urination, especially by children at night
Nocturnal enuresis can be due to a urinary tract infection
Incontinence
(dated) Lack of self-restraint, an inability to control oneself; unchastity.
Enuresis
The involuntary discharge of urine; urinary incontinence.
Incontinence
(urology) The inability of any of the physical organs to restrain discharges of their contents; involuntary discharge or evacuation (of urine or feces).
Enuresis
Involuntary urination: urinary incontinence.
Incontinence
Incapacity to hold; hence, incapacity to hold back or restrain; the quality or state of being incontinent; lack of continence; failure to restrain the passions or appetites; indulgence of lust; lewdness.
That Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
From the rash hand of bold incontinence.
Enuresis
Such incontinence at nighttime, especially during sleep.
Incontinence
The inability of any of the animal organs to restrain the natural evacuations, especially urination, or defecation, so that the discharges are involuntary; as, incontinence of urine.
Enuresis
An involuntary discharge of urine; incontinence of urine.
Incontinence
Involuntary urination or defecation
Enuresis
Inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination
Incontinence
Indiscipline with regard to sensuous pleasures
Common Curiosities
Can youngs have enuresis?
Yes, though less common, youngs can experience enuresis, often related to underlying health issues.
What causes enuresis?
It's often caused by developmental processes or stress but generally resolves with age.
How is enuresis treated?
Treatment usually involves behavioral strategies like moisture alarms or bladder training.
What is enuresis?
Enuresis is involuntary urination, typically seen in children, especially during nighttime.
How is incontinence treated?
Treatments vary widely, including medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.
Is enuresis considered incontinence?
Enuresis is a form of incontinence specifically associated with involuntary urination in children during sleep.
What is incontinence?
Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control, affecting individuals across various ages.
What causes incontinence?
Causes range from physical conditions and injuries to aging and neurological disorders.
Who is most likely to suffer from incontinence?
Although anyone can be affected, it is more common among olders and those with certain medical conditions.
How does incontinence affect daily life?
It can significantly impact social interactions, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
