Beyond the wet sheets: One man's journey to beating bedwetting stigma

 Bedwetting beyond a certain age is considered a condition requiring attention. [iStockphoto]

For most of us, childhood memories are filled with laughter and adventure, but for one young man, they were marked by a deeply personal battle that left a lasting scar. From vivid dreams to nights of silent prayers, he carried a burden he couldn’t share, determined to overcome a condition that shaped his early years.

Meet Dan Nixon, 21, a communication and journalism student at Kisii University, who grew up struggling with nocturnal enuresis—commonly known as bedwetting. This challenge followed him from childhood into adolescence, testing his faith and resilience. Initially, Dan believed it was a phase that all children go through. However, as the years passed, the problem persisted. It was at this point that he decided to seek help and ask what could be done.

According to Dr Mufaddal Shokat, a Consultant Physician at The Nairobi West Hospital, bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is the involuntary release of urine during sleep. It is most common in children, but most outgrow it as they mature.

“Signs and symptoms that accompany bedwetting include frequent incidents during sleep, increased urgency during the day, and difficulty controlling urine flow. Other signs include daytime accidents, frequent bathroom visits, and complaints of discomfort or burning during urination, which may indicate an infection,” explains Dr Shokat.