Incontinence: Tips for Keeping Comfortable
When bladder control problems occur, it can take a great deal of extra effort to keep comfortable. Worry about leaks and odor can discourage you from doing the things you enjoy. The first step in managing incontinence is talking with your doctor. Incontinence is not simply an embarrassing inconvenience; it is usually a medical problem.
A complete medical exam will reveal the cause of bladder and bowel control problems. Products that absorb leakage may not be your only option. In some cases medication, exercises and surgery can eliminate or reduce the problem. However, without the help of your physician, there is no way to know for sure.
Medical treatment may eliminate some, or all, of the problem. Most people still need some form of protection for accidental leaks. To find the right products, start by evaluating the amount of leakage.
One of the biggest problems related to incontinence is skin irritation and breakdown. Even with scrupulous attention to hygiene, fragile skin will be damaged if exposed to moisture and irritants in urine or stool for prolonged periods. It may seem counterintuitive, but water actually dries skin out, leading to itching and cracking. Be sure to use a moisturizer frequently. Many lotions and creams work as a barrier to seal the skin surface and prevent liquid from being absorbed. These products significantly reduce skin irritation related to incontinence, and can help prevent infection.
In addition to various undergarments and pads, keeping dry at night may require under pads for the bed. Layering absorbent and waterproof pads and bedsheets makes clean up easy. If a late night leak occurs, simply remove the top layer of damp pads and sheet, and another layer is ready underneath.
Following the popularity of self-contained odor-free disposal systems for infant diapers, a larger version for adult sized products has been introduced. This provides a sanitary and odor free way to dispose of soiled pads or undergarments.
Incontinence Products: Click on the Category below to view:
Adult Protective Underwear Pull Ups
Drip Collectors
Pants/Briefs Reusable
Bed Wetting Devices
Feminine Hygiene
Disposable Undergarments
Disposable Briefs
Incontinence Miscellaneous
Disposable Underpads
Child Protective Underwear Pull Ups
Disposable Liners / Pads
Reusable Underpads
Childers’s Diapers
Disposable Pants
Disposable Washcloths
Showing posts with label Incontinence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Incontinence. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Incontinence
Incontinence
Incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements or urination. The loss of urine or loss stool can be embarrassing and stressful. It also irritates the skin and can cause infection if scrupulous attention to hygiene is not taken. While incontinence is more common in older people, illness and injury can cause this problem in people of all ages.
Many people who suffer from bowel (fecal) or urinary incontinence don’t realize it’s a medical problem that could be improved with treatment. A complete medical assessment to determine the cause of incontinence is an important step to finding the best treatment.
Fecal Incontinence
Bowel control requires three components. A functioning anal sphincter, adequate room in the rectum to store stool until it is formed, and the sensation that the rectum is full all play a part in preventing the leakage of stool.
The most common problem that causes fecal incontinence is damage to the anal sphincter, a specialized muscle that control bowel function. The normal process of aging can cause incontinence through a combination of these factors. Chronic medical problems like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries can cause this problem at any age. In women, muscle and nerve damage from difficult childbirth is one of the most frequent reasons for loss of bowel control. Interestingly, subtle injuries may not cause symptoms until many years later.
Urinary Incontinence
These are different types of urinary incontinence, but the causes of each are quite similar. As people get older, the muscles that support the bladder, called the pelvic floor, can become weaker. Constipation and loss of bowel sensation leads to a chronically full bowel and can impact bladder control. Neurological disorders can also cause problems with urinary control. Chronic urinary tract infections, diabetes or the effects of medications are another possible cause. Mobility problems can make it difficult to get to the bathroom quickly enough.
Gender related conditions may also contribute to poor bladder control. For men, enlargement of the prostate, or prostate treatment can interfere with urinary continence. For women, hormonal changes that occur with menopause may lead to loss of bladder control.
Incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements or urination. The loss of urine or loss stool can be embarrassing and stressful. It also irritates the skin and can cause infection if scrupulous attention to hygiene is not taken. While incontinence is more common in older people, illness and injury can cause this problem in people of all ages.
Many people who suffer from bowel (fecal) or urinary incontinence don’t realize it’s a medical problem that could be improved with treatment. A complete medical assessment to determine the cause of incontinence is an important step to finding the best treatment.
Fecal Incontinence
Bowel control requires three components. A functioning anal sphincter, adequate room in the rectum to store stool until it is formed, and the sensation that the rectum is full all play a part in preventing the leakage of stool.
The most common problem that causes fecal incontinence is damage to the anal sphincter, a specialized muscle that control bowel function. The normal process of aging can cause incontinence through a combination of these factors. Chronic medical problems like diabetes, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries can cause this problem at any age. In women, muscle and nerve damage from difficult childbirth is one of the most frequent reasons for loss of bowel control. Interestingly, subtle injuries may not cause symptoms until many years later.
Urinary Incontinence
These are different types of urinary incontinence, but the causes of each are quite similar. As people get older, the muscles that support the bladder, called the pelvic floor, can become weaker. Constipation and loss of bowel sensation leads to a chronically full bowel and can impact bladder control. Neurological disorders can also cause problems with urinary control. Chronic urinary tract infections, diabetes or the effects of medications are another possible cause. Mobility problems can make it difficult to get to the bathroom quickly enough.
Gender related conditions may also contribute to poor bladder control. For men, enlargement of the prostate, or prostate treatment can interfere with urinary continence. For women, hormonal changes that occur with menopause may lead to loss of bladder control.
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