Different Types of Incontinence
Before we explore the products, let’s first understand the different types of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is not considered an illness. It is a sign of several different conditions. Incontinence is classified into numerous categories, each with its causes, features, and leaking triggers.1. Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence refers to the condition when leakage happens during specific physical activities. Your pelvic floor muscles are weak with this kind of incontinence and are unable to support your pelvic organs the way they should.
Many people experience leakage problems when they run, jump, cough, sneeze, or lift objects. Postpartum women are more likely to experience stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is a potential side effect for men who have had prostate surgery.
2. Urge Incontinence
When you have an intense, sudden need to urinate, you may lose control of your bladder, which is known as urge incontinence. This usually happens too quickly for you to get to a toilet, and you end up leaking. Individuals with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or stroke may experience issues.3. Overflow Incontinence
You have a partially empty bladder, which causes frequent or continuous dribbling of urine. In case the urethra is blocked by an enlarged prostate, a man may experience difficulty emptying his bladder. This kind of incontinence can also be brought on by diabetes and spinal cord injury.4. Mixed Incontinence
Mixed urine incontinence (MUI) is an involuntary leakage brought on by stress or urge incontinence. Being aware of your activities is frequently essential when dealing with incontinence and leaking issues.Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can result from other health issues or lifestyle factors causing temporary or long-term incontinence. Some of the causes of this condition include:1. Nerve Damage
Damage to the nerves lining the bladder, pelvic floor muscles, or urethra can occur after delivery or as a result of conditions including multiple sclerosis and diabetes. The communication mechanism is disrupted by these injured nerves, which causes the bladder to receive signals either at the wrong moment or not at all. Urinary incontinence results from this misunderstanding, which causes the bladder to contract or fail to contract.2. Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy weakens the pelvic floor muscles and bladder by putting pressure on them. During vaginal deliveries, these nerves and muscles tend to stretch or get injured, resulting in incontinence.
Bladder control is also affected by hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy. The combination of muscle weakening, increased pressure, and damaged nerves during childbirth leads to stress incontinence, where activities like lifting or coughing cause leakage.
3. Overweight
The risk of urinary incontinence is high in obese people. Excess body weight puts more pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles. This pressure, with time, weakens the pelvic floor muscles, reducing their ability to control urine flow effectively.4. Lifestyle Factors
Consuming excess alcohol and caffeine can irritate the bladder, increasing the urgency and frequency of urination. Another factor responsible for incontinence is smoking, which places stress on pelvic floor muscles. People who lead a sedentary lifestyle might also suffer from this condition as this kind of lifestyle tends to weaken the muscles.Incontinence Supplies/Products Which Help in Urinary Incontinence
Everyone dreams of an active life that is free from urinary incontinence or age-related ailments. But then, this scenario is next to impossible – right? Fortunately, the market has incontinence products that can be of help in such conditions. These incontinence-related products are quite beneficial in managing mild to moderate and even severe symptoms experienced by people grappling with the telltale signs of aging, problems in reaching the washroom in time, bed wetting, etc.1. Absorbent Pads or Incontinence Pads
These incontinence pads are disposable pads suitable for both men and women. The adhesive strips present in these pads make it possible to stick them to the underwear. Absorbent pads are known to absorb almost or more ounces of leakage than regular pads. They keep spills at bay and save the skin from coming in contact with moisture in any way. Additionally, they block odors, providing a fresh and discreet solution.2. Incontinence Briefs & Panties
These incontinence products resemble everyday underwear for men and women. They include a built-in cloth pad that can absorb substantial leakage and feature water-resistant liners for added comfort.
Incontinence briefs and panties are washable, available in various colors, and reusable. They come in two varieties: overnight and day wear. The overnight incontinence products have a higher capacity to absorb urine, making them perfect for nighttime use.
3. Incontinence Underwear or Disposable Underwear
Incontinence/Disposable underwear and diapers for adults are available in various styles. Disposable underwear is similar to regular elastic-banded underwear but is designed to be discarded after use. Some also have adjustable side tapes that can be removed if and when needed. Like other incontinence products for men & women, they are also available in various colors and day and/ or overnight versions.4. Protective Underpads
These underpads come in two main types: reusable horizontal pads and disposable ones with an absorbent layer on one surface and a dampness barrier on the other. Such underpads protect chairs, mattresses, and other furniture from leakage. These products usually feature an antifungal and antibacterial finish to enhance hygiene. They also have adhesive strips to keep them in place. Available in various absorbency levels, these chux pads provide adequate protection against spills.5. Plastic Pants or Incontinence Pants
These incontinence pants fit over the regular undergarments and help protect their wearers against moderate to mild leaks.Find the Best Solutions for Managing Urinary Incontinence
It is challenging to deal with urinary incontinence, but finding the right product can make a difference. Therefore, it is important to choose products that offer reliable protection and comfort. Ready to explore the best urinary incontinence products for men & women? Visit Unique Wellness, known for the world’s most absorbent incontinence products inspired by NASA’s Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG) technology.
