Stop feeling stranded and low just because you have been diagnosed for urinary incontinence. Get out of your current mindset that something drastic has taken place and get active once again. All you need to do is find the right product to effectively manage your incontinence woes. With dozens of products: briefs, adult diapers, pads and others doing the round, it should not be tough to bounce back to your regular lifestyle. Get going!
Read on for how other elderly in the same boat are managing their mild, moderate or severe urinary or bowel movement incontinence………… in more confident ways.
Disposable Briefs, Protective Garments, Adult Briefs and Pads
By far, the most popular and easily found products for managing this life condition are protective pads and special undergarments for seniors, differently challenged people, and patients suffering from the tell-tale symptoms of incontinence. Available in senior health care stores, local marts, drug outlets and online portals alike, these incontinence products are of immense help in old age homes, hospitals, asylums and homes. They can be selected from a wide range of absorbencies, sizes, styles, and colors. Yes, these products are surely the right way to go.
The commonly used ones are as follows:
Absorbent Pads
Designed differently for the cause of men and women, absorbent pads have adhesive strips that hold them firmly in place within regular / plastic undergarments .The pads are effectively designed to trap 8 ounces of urinary discharge and keep any moisture away from the skin. As they can be changed easily, as and when required, they block all kinds of obnoxious odors too. Quite comfortable for daily wear, these disposable pads offer the highest levels of protection to prevent any public embarrassment.
Incontinence Briefs and Panties
If you are looking for an incontinence product that matches the kind of underwear that you have been wearing for long, then you are in luck. Panties and briefs for women and men suffering from urinary incontinence are shaped on the lines of their everyday underwear, but with a difference. They come packaged with built-in cloth pads and waterproof liners that are capable of absorbing over 10 ounces of urine. Completely washable and reusable, they are available in an exhaustive range of colors to match the wearer’s outfit. The overnight disposable briefs are adeptly designed for holding more urine.
What’s more? There are briefs / panties that are designed for overnight use and day wear alike. Just like pads, these kinds of incontinence underwear also keep moisture away from the skin, are highly absorbent, and know how to control odor.
Disposable Underwear
Similar to incontinence briefs in features and functionality, protective disposable underwear are available in different styles, colors and patterns. They fall in the same category as elastic-banded underwear and can be pulled on and off easily. These disposable underwear have tapes attached to their sides and are quite adjustable for facilitating easy wear and removal. They are also available as overnight and day versions for advanced application purposes.
Disposable / Reusable Flat Pads
You may like to think of menstrual pads when you are referring to these reusable and disposable flat pads; but then, they are different. These pads are designed for collecting higher volumes of urine. They have a protective moisture barrier on one side, and an absorbent layer on the other. When worn, they go a long way in protecting chairs, mattresses and other kinds of seating / lying down areas from any kinds of urinary leaks. In most cases, the pads are equipped with antibacterial and antifungal properties. They also boast of strong adhesive strips that keep them in place. Available in a range of absorbencies, these pads do not make you dig deep into your wallet.
Plastic Pants
Made of special plastic, these panties can fit over regular undergarments and are helpful in providing protection against moderate to mild leaks.
Urethral Inserts and Other Incontinence Products
Though not used commonly, there are many other products that are recommended for handling the signs and symptoms of incontinence in different ways. For instance, doctors recommend pessaries that can be inserted within the vagina for supporting the bladder or compressing the urethra. Available in many sizes and shapes, these pessaries require some trial and error for figuring out the one that works best for a decent fit. On the other hand, urethral inserts are designed to go way inside the urethra and block the urine flow. Sometimes, tampons may work like pessaries for managing mild problems.
The other options include:
- Penile clamps that provide pressure for keeping the urethra closed for moderate to mild leaks.
- Male guards that are in the form of small sleeves that can be fit over the upper portion of the penis for containing light moisture.
- Condom catheters are designed to fit around the penis and end in a specially designed tube that’s attached to a collection bag. This bag can be strapped to the wearer’s body comfortably.
With so many incontinence products available on the racks and new ones being added every day, you need not be concerned about finding the right incontinence management tool for yourself. In addition, you may seek the help of your medical expert to understand the type of products that will go a long way in helping you take control – quickly and effectively.