It’s not uncommon to find users of incontinence products looking a little worried about leakages. Be it in senior care homes or in hotel washrooms, one out of ten adult diaper wearers often wonder how to prevent diaper leaks.
Even after trying hard, they cannot figure out what’s going on in their lives.
Are you one of them?
Fret not; help is close at hand. Below, we have assembled 5 standard solutions for handling this problem.
1. Different Brands Fit Differently
It’s a fact that not all women are shaped equally. Given this, it is normal for the incontinence products of available brands to fit different users in different ways.
While some users love the natural fit of a specifically designed, highly absorbent adult diaper, others would find it quite the opposite.
In case the brand or product you purchased gives off more leaks than protection, you may like to try your luck with a different one. Go for a size or style that is different from the one that you are using currently.
Well-fitting incontinence pads trap the last traces of leakage and make you feel high and dry. With a bit of trial and error or better adjustment techniques, you will certainly find yourself a diaper that fits your anatomy to perfection.
One of the common reasons why people complain of leakages is that they may have purchased products that are not meant for moderate or heavy urinary incontinence. These cheap adult diapers are usually available over the counter at attractive prices but may fail to perform to perfection.
In case you are unsure of the levels of incontinence plaguing you, it is better to take the advice of a healthcare expert before investing in your next set of adult diapers. Changing the size or style will also bring about significant differences.
Again, you need to look around for products that suit your immediate and future needs appropriately and are the right ones for you.
2. Include Booster Pads in Your Shopping List
Another good way of stopping leakages from your brief with tabs or pull-ups is by adding more to their absorbency with booster pads. These days, there are many kinds of stackable pads available in specialty stores online and offline.
From regular booster pads to disposable ones or those that have extra absorbency powers, such products are easily available at affordable prices. Once you get these booster pads home, layer them with your usual incontinence product and enjoy considerably less or no leakages.
3. Make Sure That the Diaper Is Snug Around Your Legs
Do your adult diapers hang loose when worn or fit you too tightly?
In either situation, you will end up with leaks and embarrassing situations. It’s natural for loose-fitting diapers to ooze out the discharge as they will not be able to trap the same wholesomely.
On the other hand, very tight diapers also lead to leaks as they do not give enough space for the urine to seep in. The best-fitting diapers are the ones that are snug around your legs and prevent leakages.
These diapers impart a warm and cozy feel across the day or night and do not come in the way of your regular bodily movements.
4. Use Overnight Products, Even During the Day
In general, overnight adult diapers are designed for usage over long hours and when the wearers are sleeping. These products boast high absorbency levels and are usually less prone to leakages than non-overnight products.
As long as they embrace the body contours accurately and fit well, they stop all outflows or mess-ups. These high-quality overnight diapers are compact and can be worn discreetly during the daytime as well.
They usually work well for people of all ages and can be worn to offices, outdoor picnics, or gatherings – without any fear or concern of leakages.
5. Buy Reusable Backup Underpads
In spite of your efforts, you may find your adult diaper leaking and causing tell-tale stains on your bedding or seat.
What do you do?
Start using better quality and more absorbent underpads to keep your linen and other top surfaces dry and safe.
Rather than investing in disposable underpads, you may like to go for more robust products that can be cleaned and dried as many times as required, much like regular linen.
These underpads are available in different shapes and sizes and serve as good solutions for stopping and preventing leakages from your adult diapers.
In most cases, diaper leaks can be attributed to the wrong selection of incontinence products. Also, wearing diapers or pads for too long may lead to leakages. Another cause of wet adult diaper is the use of wrongly sized products.
Remember, the pull-ups (underwear) or adult diapers that are either too large or too small fail to offer the best protection. They should be replaced with well-fitted products immediately.
Yet another method of preventing the incontinence product of your choice from leaking is to change the same as soon as the soiling begins.
Wearing an adult diaper for too long (with instances of frequent urination or bowels) can lead to skin rashes, bad odor emissions, and painful skin rashes.
If you are aware that it will not be possible to change your diapers for a while, you will find yourself in a better state by wearing more absorbent undergarments equipped with anti-leak guards or booster pads. Wearing an overnight incontinence pad, along with a booster pad, will ensure enhanced absorbency and will make you feel dry and secure at all times.
Last but not least, as adult diapers for men and women are designed differently to protect against leakages, you cannot attempt to stop overflows by investing in the wrong type of absorbent underwear. It is well-advised that you invest only in gender-specific incontinence products.
Lifestyle Habits to Minimize Leaks
Apart from selecting the most suitable products and enforcing workable measures, specific behavioral patterns can go a long way toward minimizing the leakage of adult diapers.
These subtle modifications can have a great impact on bladder health, better control over incontinence, and the functionality of the selected products.
1. Stay Hydrated Wisely
Though it may appear somewhat strange, one should refrain from drinking too little or too much water since both can lead to damage to the bladder.
Dehydration results in the production of high concentrations of urine that are harmful to the bladder, thus increasing the urge to go to the washroom. This may lead to overflows or even leakage.
Tips for Smart Hydration:
- Drink water more frequently during the day rather than gulping down water at once.
- It is advisable to limit the intake of fluids in the evening before going to bed in order to avoid bed-wetting during the night.
2. Limit Bladder Irritants
Environmental factors also influence bladder sensitivity and increase leaks when it comes to particular foods and beverages.
Common Bladder Irritants to Avoid:
- Caffeine which is present in coffee, tea, and energy drinks
- Alcohol
- Carbonated beverages
- Artificial sweeteners
It is advised that these foods should be eliminated or reduced in your diet to help reduce or prevent situations where you feel the urge to go to the washroom.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight means that pressure is exerted on the bladder and muscles of the pelvic floor, and therefore, leaks are likely to happen. Some of this pressure can be relieved, and bladder control can be enhanced by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and exercise.
4. Exercise for Bladder Control
Specific movements, such as pelvic floor exercises, also referred to as Kegels, can go a long way in making the muscles that control the bladder area stronger.
Over time, this helps in countering stress incontinence that results from activities such as sneezing, coughing or laughing.
How to Perform Kegel Exercises:
- Discover the position of your pelvic floor muscles by stopping urine mid-flow.
- Contract these muscles as hard as you can for 3–5 seconds and consciously release the tension for 3–5 seconds.
- Do this 3 times a day for 10 to 15 repetitions.
5. Monitor Fluid Intake Patterns
You can control incontinence more effectively if you keep track of when and how much fluid you ingest. For instance:
- Schedule your hydration according to your daily routine to prevent leaks during essential events or excursions.
- Keep a bladder journal to spot changes in your urination patterns and modify your regimen accordingly.
6. Wear Comfortable, Well-fitted Clothing
Clothing that is too tight or constricting, particularly around the waist and hips, might cause a diaper to slip out of place, which increases the likelihood of leaks. Choose comfortable, loose clothes that will keep the diaper in place and also allow for discretion.
These modifications not only lessen the likelihood of leaks but also support improved bladder health in general, which increases your comfort and confidence.
Take Control of Leaks: Your Confidence Awaits
Leakages from incontinence products can be solved! Try using the solutions mentioned above and make your life easier.
Do get in touch with your healthcare professional for any further input on how to stop and prevent leakage from an adult diaper.
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