…A few words
If you, or someone you care for, have difficulty controlling their bladder or bowel, or reaching the toilet in time, incontinence products may be a good solution.
Many people experience incontinence, and it’s not something to be embarrassed about.
Types of incontinence
Urinary incontinence can happen to people of all ages but is more common in older people,1 with more than 50% of people aged 65 years and older experiencing at least some level of urinary incontinence.2 To gain a better understanding of urinary incontinence, it is important to understand the different types of incontinence your patients could be experiencing. This will better prepare you for the supplies and/or treatment your patients may need.
What can cause the problem
- Stress Incontinence: If coughing, laughing, sneezing or other movements that put pressure on the bladder causes the patient to leak urine, s/he may have stress incontinence.
- Urge Incontinence: If the patient loses urine for no apparent reason after suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate, s/he may have urge incontinence. A common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate bladder contractions. Abnormal nerve signals might be the cause of these bladder spasms.
- Overactive Bladder: Occurs when abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time, causing its muscles to squeeze without warning. Voiding up to seven times a day is normal for many women, but women with overactive bladder may find that they must urinate even more frequently.
- Functional Incontinence: People with medical problems that interfere with thinking, moving or communicating may have trouble reaching a toilet. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, can interfere with a patient’s mental capacity, making it difficult plan a timely trip to a restroom.
- Overflow Incontinence: Happens when the bladder doesn’t empty properly, causing it to spill over. Weak bladder muscles or a blocked urethra can cause this type of incontinence. Nerve damage from diabetes or other diseases can also lead to weak bladder muscles; tumors and urinary stones can block the urethra.
Tips to get the most from your Incontinence Products
Make sure you check the maximum volume that a product can hold and choose one that will have more than enough capacity for the amount of liquid/waste that a person is likely to excrete (it’s best to overestimate).
There are lots of different types available – each type offers slightly different benefits but many can be used interchangeably.
Check if pads or pants are unisex or specifically for males or females, as some are designed to fit men’s or women’s bodies.
Incontinence can cause sore skin - ensure the person’s skin is kept clean and fresh with cleansing wipes and washes designed for delicate skin.
If you are caring for someone and you help them with continence care, remember to do so hygienically – you may require vinyl gloves, hand sanitiser and surface wipes.
If you want to learn more about the products that Marx Medical Equipment can offer visit the link https://www.marxmedicalequipment.com/supplies/incontinence-supplies-philadelphia-pa/ or just give us a call at 215-426-9242 !
