You have a health condition that has left you incontinent. There’s no need to spend the rest of your life holed up in your home. With the help or specific type of continence that is available at canmeddirect.ca, it’s possible to manage your condition and still enjoy most of the activities that you practiced in the past. Here are the four essentials products that you need to have in your arsenal of incontinence products.
1. Incontinence Undergarments
There’s no doubt that you will need to invest in some of the best disposable undergarments on the market today. Fortunately, the products currently available are superior to anything that has been around in the past. There are designs for men and women that look a great deal like any standard set of underwear. You’ll find some models that come with tape that help to provide additional support and security in addition to the elastic. That’s no real surprise since tap is one of the universal necessities in the medical world today.
Many undergarment options come with features that do more than preventing leakage. They also help to contain the scent to some degree. That allows you more time to discreetly excuse yourself, get to a restroom, clean up, put on a fresh undergarment, and get back to whatever you were doing. No one will realize that an incident just took place.
For information on how Medicaid can help with incontinence supplies, check out this guide.
2. Bed Liners
While you may sleep, incontinence doesn’t. Something can happen while you are in bed at night. To be on the safe side, it helps to invest in disposable bed liners. If an accident does occur while you’re asleep, these liners are designed to absorb the waste and keep it away from your skin. All you’ll need to do is remove the liner in the morning, make sure it’s ready to go into the trash, and place a fresh liner on the bed. That will help ensure that your mattress remains free of any stains.
3. Ointments and Lotions for the Skin
One of the ongoing issues with incontinence is skin irritation. Even when you use the best supplies, the skin can become inflamed. There are ointments, creams, and lotions that can be used to soothe and nourish the skin. Using them daily helps to minimize the soreness, itchiness, and general irritation that comes with incontinence. Many of these products also contain antibacterial ingredients that protect as well as nourish the skin.
4. Pessaries
Pessaries can be inserted into the urethra and help with sudden discharges. That can happen to many people when they cough, sneeze, or even laugh robustly. When entered correctly, they can do quite a bit to prevent minor accidents and allow you to feel more in control. Pair them with a good quality pair of incontinence underwear, and you’ll feel more confident about going anywhere that you like.
These are only a few examples of incontinence supplies that you should consider keeping on hand. Your doctor can provide some other suggestions based on the degree of incontinence that you typically experience or, for men, prescribe an external catheter, such as the Men’s Liberty. Put these supplies to good use and continuing to get out and enjoy life will be a lot simpler.
Urinary incontinence: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Prevention
Symptoms
Many people have minor and occasional urine losses. Others may have mild to moderate ones more frequently.
Types
- Effort incontinence. Urine leaks if you put pressure on the bladder when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or lift something substantial.
- Urge incontinence. You have a sudden and intense need to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may have to urinate frequently, even overnight. Imperious incontinence may be due to a minor condition, such as an infection, or a more severe illness, such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.
- Overflow incontinence. You have frequent or constant urine drip because the bladder does not empty.
- Functional incontinence. A physical or mental deterioration prevents you from getting to the bathroom on time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants fast enough.
- Mixed incontinence. There are different types of urinary incontinence.
Causes
Urinary incontinence is a symptom; it is not a disease. It can be caused by certain daily habits, underlying illnesses, or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by the doctor can help determine what causes incontinence.
Transient urinary incontinence
Certain foods, drinks, and medications can act as diuretics (they stimulate the bladder and increase the volume of urine). Some of them are:
- Caffeine
- Soft drinks and carbonated mineral water
- Artificial sweeteners
- Chocolate
- Chilies
- Foods high in spices, sugar or acid, especially citrus
- Medications for blood pressure and heart, sedatives, and muscle relaxants
- Large doses of vitamin C
Urinary incontinence can also be due to an easily treatable disease, for example:
- Urinary infection. Infections can irritate the bladder, cause a strong need to urinate, and, sometimes, incontinence.
- Constipation. The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many nerves. Hard and compacted feces in the rectum make these nerves stay active in excess and increase the urinary frequency.
When should I consult a doctor?
You may find it uncomfortable to talk about incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it is essential to seek medical advice, as incontinence could:
- Indicate a more serious underlying condition
- Restrict your activities and limit your social interactions
- Increase the risk of falls while rushing to the bathroom
Prevention
Urinary incontinence cannot always be prevented. However, to reduce the risk, you may find it useful:
- Keep a healthy weight
- Practice pelvic floor exercises
- Avoid foods that irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods
- Ingest more fiber, which can prevent constipation, a cause of urinary incontinence.
