A Guide to Urinary Incontinence

This entry was posted in General September 7, 2017

In the United Kingdom alone, between 3 and 6 million people suffer or have suffered from urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. While incontinence is a topic that many don’t want to discuss, it is a reality for many people awaiting a diagnosis or going through the often ignored aspects of ageing and side effects of particular illnesses. The term incontinence can be described as the involuntary lack of control over bladder liquid, resulting in loss of urine. Incontinence, while being a source of stress for many people is not a disease, rather a symptom of other conditions. Urinary incontinence might be caused by childbirth damage, pressure on the bladder (such as pregnancy or excessive weight), surgery, trauma following a stroke, enlarged prostate, menopause, neurological conditions, connective tissue disorders and the use of certain medications. Although there are many types of urinary incontinence the most common include:

Stress Incontinence

This type of urinary incontinence happens during physical movement that puts pressure on the bladder and leads to the occasional leak of urine. This is not a constant issue but it is very uncomfortable when laughing, coughing, exercising or sneezing.

Urge Incontinence

This type of incontinence is very common and it manifests with the sudden urge to urinate, often leading to leakage before it is possible to reach the toilet.

Mixed Incontinence

People who suffer from this type of incontinence experience the symptoms of two or more types, the most common being stress and urge incontinence.

Functional Incontinence

Unlike any other type, functional incontinence is caused by physical or mental barriers. People who suffer from this type of incontinence do not recognise the need to go or cannot access the toilet, leading to various degrees of urine loss.

Overflow Incontinence

This type of incontinence happens when the bladder is not properly emptied, leading to overflow and leakage.

Total Incontinence

Total incontinence is experienced when the bladder is incapable of storing any liquid, leading to a constant flow of urine.

There are a wide range of products available to help those experiencing incontinence, including:

Bed pads and seat pads

They are a great way to protect your furniture.

Underwear protection

Briefs are available as a re-usable, washable option or as a disposable alternative.

Pads

Incontinence pads can be used within normal underwear for varying incontinence levels, from light to heavy incontinence.

Skin Care

Skin should always be cleaned and hydrated with specific products to avoid redness, soreness and infections.  

When you are choosing the best incontinence products you should consider:

• Absorption, to avoid discomfort and minimise leakage;

• Kindness on skin. The materials used for incontinence products and the ingredients used in your preferred skincare range should not lead to soreness or irritation;

• Comfort. After consulting our staff and choosing the best option for you, it is important to find a shape and product that fits you and your lifestyle;

• Type of protection. Many women when struggling with incontinence use sanitary pads as opposed to specially designed incontinence pads out of economic convenience and/ or embarrassment. However, they are built for different purposes and therefore ineffective for incontinence issues. In the same way, different incontinence products are suitable for different needs, consult our staff for the best type of protection for you.

Most people struggling with incontinence are embarrassed about their condition and avoid asking questions or getting the help they need. At Ableworld we know how difficult it is to find the right incontinence products. This is why we provide free samples of our continence range for our customers to take home and test. We can help you choose the right products for you and give you the advice you need without judgment, as we pride ourselves in our ability to protect the dignity of our customers and anybody who comes to us for help.

When struggling with incontinence, the most important thing to remember is that it is a very common issue that millions of people struggle with every day and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is possible to lead an active, sociable and regular lifestyle despite the struggle, by finding the right products that fit your specific needs. Contact us for more information.

 

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