Incontinence is a widespread condition among North American adults – both men and women. It occurs in two forms – urinary and bowel incontinence.
It is urinary when there is an inability to control the bladder (which stores urine). Bowel incontinence is the inability to control fecal excretions.
Worldwide, as many as 35% of the over 60 population is estimated to suffer from this condition in one form or another. As a result, its treatment and management is an important factor in geriatric health care.
In this article, we first explain the most common subtypes of the condition. We will then examine the causes of and contributory factories to the various forms of this condition. Finally, we will discuss the most common types of treatment currently available.
This condition can manifest itself in many forms. The5 basic types are:
With this type of incontinence, you may leak urine when your body comes under unexpected stress, such as when sneezing, coughing or laughing. It may also happen when you lift an unexpectedly heavy object in a way that places pressure on the bladder.
With this type, you may have a tendency to leak urine as a result of an unexpectedly strong need to urinate. This is also known as an overactive bladder condition.
This is the term used to describe suffering from both stress and urge forms of the condition. It is a condition that more commonly affects women.
This is characterized by an inability to empty the bladder completely. It is more common among men and its victims tend to experience urine leaks after urinating.
With this form of the condition, patients experience difficulty controlling the bladder as a result of an unconnected condition such as arthritis.
This form of the condition manifests itself in reduced ability to control bowel movements.. As a result, the affected person may leak solid or liquid faeces. Like the urinary form of the condition, this is quite widespread.
Urinary incontinence may be the result of any of several factors. The following are perhaps the most common of these:
Some of the more common causes of bowel incontinence include:
The approach used to treat the condition naturally depends on the type being experienced (bowel or bladder) and the causes.
To address a urinary incontinence problem, your doctor may suggest any of a number of treatments. We will quickly list a few of these below.
As with many conditions, conservative treatments are likely to be tried first as they will likely have minimal side effects.
As with bladder incontinence, doctors may elect to try treating bowel incontinence conservatively at first. Measures may include:
Especially for older individuals, incontinence is a chronic problem that may have to be managed using specially designed aids. These aids will help to “wick” moisture or waste matter away from the body and keep the patient comfortable.
Incontinence aids may include the following:
Deteriorating skin health in the pelvic or rectal area may be a long term effect of incontinence . Hence, hygiene and skin care products are a major class of incontinence aids. They include soap and fragrance free cleansers, moisturizers and various skin nutrients that use compounds like zinc oxide, lanolin or petrolatum
Patients with incontinence problems may also be advised to follow certain practices such as taking care to dry and clean the affected areas after bowel or bladder movements. Pre moistened wipes may be used to support this.
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Attends Advanced Underwear keeps you dry and allows you to continue pursuing an active lifestyle without being restricted by urinary incontinence. You will be kept comfortable and avoid wetness courtesy of its Breathable Waistband, ConfidenceCuff Protection, Super Absorbent Core and Odor Shield features. Recommended for individuals suffering from moderate to heavy incontinence. Suitable for either men or women.
Attends Breathable Briefs Extra Absorbency offer the ideal blend of performance and value and use a soft breathable material, additional absorbent fibres to soak up moisture and odour blocking capability. Sold in bags of 24 and in sizes Youth/X-Small and Small.
The Attends DermaDry Advanced Brief is an innovative incontinence brief design that combines wearing comfort with protection from the effects of heavy to severe incontinence. It incorporates the benefits and features of the Attends Brief but takes things a step farther with SmartCool Breathable Materials, Confidence Cuff Protection and much more. With The DermaDry Brief you can continue your active and mobile lifestyle and be free of the restrictions that could otherwise compromise your ability to enjoy your favorite activities.
The Attends DermaDry Extended Wear Night Brief will provide the highest level of absorbence over an extended period and is made for both night and day use. Breathable side panels, soft inner lining and super absorbent polymer fibres round out a brief designed for a saitisfying long term wearing experience. Sold in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large.
Attends DermaDry Stretch Brief with Leg Gathers offers high protection from severe to heavy incontinence and features stretchable side panels to give a customized but secure fit. There are also breathable side panels to keep the user cool and dry and protect skin health. Other notable design features include ConfidenceCuff Protection and a Dry-Lock Containment Core. Available in Sizes Medium/Regular and large/X-Large.
Attends Discreet Men’s Underwear is pull on underwear designed to allow men who suffer from incontinence to continue leading active lifestyles. It resembles regular underwear while providing protection similar to incontinence briefs. Featuring a soft, breathable fabric and a surround waistband for comfort and security. Tear away side panels allow for rapid and simple removal when necessary. Recommended for men who suffer from moderate to heavy incontinence. Sold in sizes Small/Medium and Large/X-Large.
Attends Discreet Women’s Underwear is pull on underclothing designed to allow women with active lifestyles to continue pursuing their regular activities. Featuring a soft breathable fabric with a cloth like feel and a full belly elastic waistband to ensure user comfort allied to security. Core materials are designed to have a high moisture capacity and channel fluid away from the skin, this avoiding the skin problems sometimes associated with incontinence. Barrier leg cuffs and tear away side panels round out this complete solution for women requiring security from incontinence issues. Available in sizes Medium, Large & X-Large.
Attends Overnight Underwear is a line of incontinence undergarments usable either overnight or for extended wearing periods.The most absorbent product in the Attends line, it features a Super Absorbent Core that provides maximum dryness over extended periods. Together with ConfidenceCuff Protection and tear away side panels, this incontinence garment should be on your shortlist if you seek security, dignity and comfort over extended periods. Available in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large.
Attends Premier Briefs maintains and extends the Attends tradition of using the softest and most absorbent materials you will find in an incontinence brief. You can rest assured that you will enjoy superior comfort levels even as you stay secure and dry. Made for overnight use, this ultra plush brief also boasts a high rise, full fit design. It is available in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large.
The Attends Premier Underwear line focuses on delivering the highest level of absorbency with its Dry-Lock Containment Core, SmartCool Breathability and ConfidenceCuff Elastics to keep users cool, dry and dignified whether worn during day or nighttime. An ultra plush design and robust odour control round out a design that is bound to delight and surprise even the most discerning customer. This incontinence underwear will not fail to deliver at important times. Available in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large.
Attends Protective Underwear is designed to replace regular underwear and incontinence briefs and provide incontinence protection for active individuals. It includes soft breathable zones to keep your loved ones dry, cool and comfortable, ConfidenceCuff Protection to help prevent leakage and a Super Absorbent Core. Suggested for moderate to heavy incontinence. Available in sizes Medium, Large and X-Large.
The Covidien Sure Care™ Belted Undergarment features a moisture proof outer backing, elastic leg gathers and a soft dry absorbent center to provide the ultimate in absorbency, leakage protection and comfort.
