Incontinence Products

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the term for the loss of control over one's bowel or bladder function. Rather than being a medical condition on its own, incontinence is a symptom with a wide variety of causes. There are also several different types of incontinence. The treatment method will depend on the cause of the problem and the type of incontinence.

What does incontinent mean?

Incontinent in an adjective used to describe a person who suffers from bowel or bladder control problems. There are a number of possible reasons why a person may have incontinence. Muscle weakness, hormonal imbalances, prostate problems, infections, medications, obesity and medical conditions can all cause incontinence.

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a term for the loss of the ability to control one's bladder. It happens when urine leaks out before you can make it to the bathroom. People who suffer from urinary incontinence may experience slight leakage when they sneeze or laugh, or they may have a sudden urge to urinate and not be able to control it, resulting in the involuntary emptying of a full bladder.

What is stress incontinence?

Stress incontinence is a common form of urinary incontinence. Most common in women, the problem causes bladder leakage in response to physical stress or movement. Someone with stress incontinence may feel urine leak when they cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or strain to lift something heavy. Stress incontinence happens when the pelvic floor muscles (muscles that support the bladder) and urinary sphincter (muscles that control the release of urine) weaken. Pregnancy and childbirth are the most common causes of stress incontinence in women. Men may get this type of incontinence after having surgery for prostate disease.

What is overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder is a group of urinary symptoms with the most common being an extreme urge to urinate that's challenging to control. You may not be able to stop the urge, which may lead to involuntary urine loss. Other overactive bladder symptoms include frequent urination during the day, the need to get up frequently to urinate at night and leakage when there is an urge to urinate.

What causes overactive bladder?

There are many possible causes that can trigger overactive bladder symptoms.

• Nerve damage can cause the bladder to contract and empty even when it's not full. Health conditions that can cause nerve damage include diabetes, stroke, and Parkinson's disease.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine can bother your bladder and make the symptoms of overactive bladder worse.
• A urinary tract infection can cause symptoms similar to overactive bladder.
• Women who have gone through menopause and men who have had prostate problems seem to have a higher risk for overactive bladder.

Incontinence Protection Solutions

Many people believe that bulky adult diaper products are the only way to deal with incontinence, but that simply isn't true today. There are a number of incontinence care products available to protect men and women with incontinence from embarrassing and bothersome leaks.

• Pad and liner products adhere to underwear, making it possible for users to continue to wear their conventional undergarments.
• Disposable underwear products that feel and look like cloth underwear are also available.
• Products come in a range of sizes and absorbency levels and are sold in different size packages, so you can keep an ideal supply on hand for daily and overnight use.

Solutions for People with Limited Mobility

People with limited mobility may be unable to make it to the bathroom in time to urinate or move their bowels. Fortunately, you can make it easier for a loved one with mobility issues to answer nature's call and prevent accidents.

• Bedpans, urinals and portable toilets allow men and women to relieve themselves without having to travel to the bathroom. These products can then be emptied, cleaned and reused.
• At night, you can protect the bed from leaks with disposable and reusable liners, pads and covers.

Incontinence-Related Skin Irritation

If urine or stool is in constant contact with the skin, it can lead to a wide range of skincare concerns from redness to rashes to yeast infections. Fortunately, you can take steps to care for the skin.

• Cleaning the skin with wipes or a mild skin wash after urinating or having a bowel movement can help keep the area clean and dry. Be sure to follow the product's directions closely.
• Moisturizing creams can help keep skin sealant creams, ointments, sprays or towelettes can form a protective barrier or film on the skin. If you use a skin sealant, be sure to clean and dry your skin after each time you urinate, and then reapply the product. Avoid products that contain alcohol, which may irritate the skin.

Talk to your doctor about which types of products are the best remedy for your specific needs.

Overactive Bladder Medications

Oxybutynin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for overactive bladder in women (there are also prescription forms and strengths of oxybutynin for overactive bladder, some of which are available for men). As an OTC product, oxybutynin is delivered through a transdermal patch on the skin. The patch releases a controlled dose of the medication to help relax the bladder muscle. With regular use, it can help reduce the urge and frequency to urinate in women with overactive bladder.

Prescription overactive bladder treatments are also available. Talk to your doctor about your overactive bladder treatment options.

How to do Kegel Exercises

To help reduce urine leakage, consider doing Kegel exercises (or pelvic muscle exercises) by consciously squeezing the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are the ones you would use to stop the flow of urine. Contract these muscles for 8 to 10 seconds and then slowly relax them. Work your way up to 8 to 12 repetitions, and do them 3 times per day.

Regularly performing Kegel exercises can strengthen the pelvic muscles that support the bladder. Some women find that it's easier to perform these exercises with a Kegel exerciser. These devices are inserted into the vagina and then squeezed to keep them in place, working the pelvic floor muscles in the process. Know that Kegel exercises aren't as helpful for certain types of incontinence, such as severe leakage with laughing, coughing, or sneezing and overflow incontinence. Ask your doctor if Kegel exercises can help you.