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Posts Tagged ‘Incontinence Pads’

Bladder Problem is Common Condition

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

One of the most common medical problems is a bladder problem, however it is also one of the least discussed medical problems. There are many different causes for bladder problems, and there are also many different treatments and cures for these problems. Bladder problems can cause a myriad of secondary problems including skin irritations, infections, sexual dysfunction, sleep deprivation, social stigmas and low self esteem.

Urinary incontinence or bladder problems can be caused by physical trauma, disease, genetics or medication. While there are many different physical causes, incontinence can also be caused by psychological problems as well. The symptoms of incontinence can vary widely from a tiny amount of urine leakage to complete loss of bladder control.

Bladder problems can show up as a strong and immediate urgency to urinate where you may not be able to hold your bladder until you can reach a restroom. You may also have developed a frequency of urination where you have to go to the bathroom far more frequently than normal throughout the day and night. Frequent urination during sleeping hours is called nocturia and can be harmful because it deprives you of proper rest. Another manifestation of bladder problems is when there is a hesitancy when trying to begin urinating or when there is straining to force urination. Dribbling after urination is finished is also indicative of a bladder problem.

Other more troubling bladder problems include dysuria, which is a condition where urination causes pain, and hematuria, which indicates that there is blood in the urine.

There are lifestyle choices that we all make that can lead to bladder problems. Smoking is at the top of the list as it can irritate the bladder as well as cause harm to the immune system. Overeating can also lead to bladder problems, as excess body fat and obesity are direct causes to reduced muscle tone throughout the body including bladder and pelvic floor muscles, which support the organs that control the flow of urine. Exercise is essential to maintaining good overall muscle tone as well as bowel health, and becoming constipated can cause muscle damage from straining.

For women pregnancy and childbirth are both contributors to bladder problems, and later in life menopause in women increases the likelihood of developing problems with urinary incontinence. In men an enlarged prostate can cause bladder problems, and later in life the side effects of prostate surgery can cause problems with urinary incontinence.

Then there are any number of medications, diseases and injuries, especially to the spinal cord that can cause bladder problems as well. Treating a bladder problem can be done through behavior modification, medication or surgery depending on what the underlying cause is, and most bladder problems can be well managed even if they are not completely curable.

There are a few things that you can easily do to help your bladder and urinary system stay healthy including proper hydration, restricting foods that irritate the bladder including caffeine and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and voiding both the bladder and the bowels regularly. But if you have developed a bladder problem despite taking care of your bladder health, make sure to discuss the problem with your doctor, and while you are working towards a solution to your bladder problem, make sure that you avail yourself of the many incontinence pads and pants that can help you easily manage your problem. DryForLife has been supplying continence care products for over forty years and is available to help you deal with your bladder problem.

Further Urinary Incontinence Articles

Try a Variety of Products Like Tena Pads to Manage Adult Incontinence

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

More a symptom than a disease, urinary incontinence can be permanent or temporary, severe or mild. With the help of products like Tena pads, you can manage adult incontinence in whatever way works best for you. Incontinence can be the harbinger of an underlying medical condition, or it can be caused by a daily habit, and to help you determine the root of your incontinence you will want to enlist the help of a medical professional.

Urinary incontinence can be temporary and be exacerbated by a medication or even food and drink. There are also easily treatable medical conditions that may cause incontinence. Adult incontinence can also be caused by an underlying physical problem or change in the body, which can cause a long term, persistent condition.

Tena pads are designed in styles for men and women, work perfectly with Tena washable pants or regular underwear, and come in 4 different levels of protection including light, moderate, heavy and extra heavy. The Tena pad is shaped with soft elastic into a natural shape that hugs the contours of the body collecting wetness by wicking it away from the body into its absorbent layers. These incontinence pads are designed to absorb large amounts of liquid very quickly. Since the pad closely hugs the body, its fit is comfortable and discreet. Tena pads stay securely seated in either regular underwear or Tena pants. These pads are constructed with a polymer that is extremely absorbent and turns liquid into a gel for the ultimate in protection.

When combining Tena pads with special undergarments like the Tena for Men pouch pants, the Tena pad can offer very effective incontinence management. It is ideal for light or heavy flow urinary leakage. Tena pads come in a variety of styles that can work with regular undergarments and other styles that are designed to work in special Tena undergarments like the Tena for Men pouch pants.

When you are managing a problem with urinary incontinence it is always wise to try several varying combinations of pants and pads to find the most effective and comfortable combination for your particular problem.

Dealing with urinary incontinence can be quite a challenge, and it can range from being a temporary inconvenience to a chronic condition. Regardless of the level of your incontinence problem, Tena pads have an absorbency level that will work for you, and as you try different combinations of products to find which ones best manage your condition, it is a good idea to test out a variety of products to asses which ones you like and which ones you do not. DryForLife has been helping people successfully manage incontinence for over forty years, and if you are not sure what products will work best for you, it may be a good idea to start with a “Money Back Sample Pack”, which lets you try a selection of different products to contrast and compare. All of these products can be ordered discreetly online for immediate shipping.

Further Incontinence Pads Articles

The Right Incontinence Pant Can Make a Huge Difference

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Dealing with adult incontinence can be quite a challenge, and while millions of adults suffer from some sort of urinary incontinence, much of that suffering is done in relative silence. There is a natural tendency to feel a little bit ashamed over any sort of incontinence, and even when people know that the problem is medical, it can still leave them with low self-esteem and embarrassment. Many people who suffer from some sort of adult urinary incontinence begin to withdraw from social activities that they once loved, because they are afraid of humiliating, accidental urinary leakage in public. Unfortunately, by withdrawing from friends and social gatherings, they leave behind the very support system that can help them deal with the hand that they have been dealt.

If you are suffering from any type of incontinence one of the easiest ways to deal with this embarrassing problem is to have quality products that you can count on. Finding a good incontinence pad or pant is invaluable in the management of your urinary leakage problem. When you are looking for a good incontinence pant, make sure that you consider your lifestyle along with the level of protection that you need. Incontinence pants exist for every combination of activity and protection level that you could ever need. You may find that you need different levels of protection depending on the activity that you are engaging in, so you will be able to find a variety of options to help you manage your incontinence problem, whether you have complete loss of bladder control or simply have occasional, light leakage.

Because of the reluctance of most people to discuss their incontinence problems, many of them start managing their leakage problems with sanitary pads. Unfortunately, this type of pad is not designed to absorb a large amount of liquid, so you may just end up with soggy pants and chaffed skin. Undergarments and pads that are designed especially for urinary leakage can hold a volume of liquid, and they also help to keep your skin dry and healthy.

When you are evaluating different incontinence pants there are some characteristics that you should look for, so that you will have the best chance of managing your incontinence problem successfully. First of all your incontinence pant should be comfortable to wear and have a low profile, so that it is not visible under clothing. Then it is very important for the pad or pant to be absorbent enough for your level of incontinence, and it should fit your budget. Finally, when you are wearing your protective undergarment, you should feel confident and comfortable.

There are many different styles from which to choose, and you may even prefer different types of incontinence products for different types of activities. Incontinence pants come in washable and disposable styles, and you can find pants with pads build in or pants with a pocket in which to insert a pad. So you can tailor your incontinence pant to your needs for any specific place and time.

While no one would choose to be incontinent, if you are in the midst of managing this problem, then you will want to get familiar with all of the products that are available to make your life just a little easier, and DryForLife has been helping people successfully live with their incontinence for over forty years. You will find a wide selection of styles and levels of absorbency from which to choose, and they can all be purchased from the comfort of your home and delivered right to your front door.

Further Incontinence Pants Articles

Incontinence and Alternative Medicine Offer Sensible Solutions for Managing Incontinence

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

The causes of incontinence are numerous and varied, and so are the treatments. Incontinence can be treated or at least managed by many different methods as well. Sometimes a simple behavioral change is enough to alleviate the symptoms of urinary incontinence, and other times medication or surgery may be indicated. If you are dealing with incontinence, you may want to consider supporting your doctor’s recommendations with a natural or alternative medicine.

It is also a good idea to add regular Kegel exercises to your incontinence and alternative medicine efforts. By combining biofeedback, exercise, acupuncture and traditional medicine, you are setting yourself up for success when it comes to managing your urinary incontinence.

Biofeedback helps you understand what you are feeling when you flex your muscles, and what your body is telling you. It can be used to help you perform effective pelvic floor muscle exercises, and it can also help you control your bladder muscles.

Kegel exercises are the exercises that contract your pelvic floor muscles. By performing Kegel exercises correctly and contracting and releasing your pelvic floor muscles, you can strengthen these muscles to help you regain continence. The pelvic floor muscles are important because they support the bladder, urethra and uterus if you are a woman.

Other exercises like yoga and pilates, when practiced correctly can be very helpful for strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, which makes both of these exercise disciplines very valuable when it comes to managing urinary incontinence.

Acupuncture has also proven effective in relieving symptoms of urinary incontinence, because it helps to tone muscles and increases the blood flow to the bladder. Acupuncture can also restore hormone balance, reduce inflammation and give the immune system a boost.

Nutrition also plays an important part in maintaining urinary continence. Aside from maintaining a healthy weight, you will want to eliminate foods that can irritate the bladder like acidic foods, such as tomato and grapefruit, caffeine, alcohol, sweetener substitutes, sugar and spicy foods. If you are not sure which foods have an adverse effect on you, keep a food diary and see if any patterns emerge between what you ingest and your incontinence problems.

Incontinence and alternative medicine are a natural fit, and as you are working through the solution to your problem, absorbant pads can free you from the worry of having accidental leakage in public. They come in many different sizes and absorbencies to deal with any problem from mild to severe. They protect clothing and furniture, and they offer protection from skin irritation. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads, which may be ordered online and delivered discreetly right to your front door.

Further Incontinence Articles

Enuresis Nocturna Can be a Nightmare

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Bedwetting, or enuresis nocturna, can happen any time that a person falls asleep. While it primarily happens when you are sleeping at night, it could happen if you fall asleep on an airplane or in front of the television. This problem frequently goes unreported simply because it is embarrassing, and it frequently keeps people who suffer from living their life to the fullest. Young adults may forgo the college experience for fear of being found out, and young working adults may pass on a business trip for the same reason. Some young adults may even postpone serious dating lest their partner should find out their shameful secret.

Adult bedwetting can be caused by an overactive bladder, which can cause urinary leakage even during waking hours. An infection like a urinary tract infection, diabetes or kidney disorders can also be the culprits behind nocturnal enuresis. Stress, anxiety, or loss of muscle elasticity can be underlying causes for this condition as well.

If you are suffering from enuresis nocturna, there are some things that you can do to mitigate its symptoms. Start by not drinking anything after dinner. This will help you keep from going to bed with a full bladder. Then limit foods that act like diuretics such as caffeine. You can also set an alarm to wake you in the middle of the night so that you can get up to go to the bathroom, and this should keep your bladder from overfilling. You can also practice holding your urine during the daytime to help increase the size of your bladder.

If you are having problems with enuresis nocturna, talk to your doctor or medical health professional so that they can assess any underlying causes for the problem, which may even help to cure it. While your doctor is helping you solve your problem remember that incontinence pads come in a great variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbencies to deal with mild to severe incontinence. They protect from skin irritation, and are invaluable in protecting clothing and furniture. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads with all of these qualities, allowing you the freedom live your life confidently.

Further Enuresis Articles

Getting Continence Help is Paramount in Adolescence

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Getting Continence Help is Paramount in Adolescence

Generally when you think of continence problems, you think of the very young or the very old. However, continence problems occur at any age, and unfortunately, because of the social stigma connected to urinary incontinence, this problem is even more difficult to deal with in adolescence.

A time of massive changes both emotional and physical, the teen years are challenging under the best of circumstances. However, when a young adult is dealing with incontinence issues, they may be even more reluctant than normal to seek continence help.

At this age the types of continence problems that can arise are urinary incontinence, which is urinary leakage. Another fairly common issue is nocturnal enuresis, which is urinating involuntarily while sleeping. Faecal incontinence, which is the involuntary passage of stool, can also be an issue during adolescence.

Genetic abnormalities, accidents or neurological disorders can cause these problems, which require continence help. While the percentage of teens presenting incontinence symptoms is fairly low, many of these young adults carry their continence issues into adulthood, and this is why it is important for these teens to be armed with the proper continence help and information.

It is very important for anyone who works with adolescents to be informed about continence issues, so that they can address the problem with sensitivity when it is presented. Especially at this impressionable age, teens need to understand that there is continence help, and that the condition is not somehow their fault.

When an adolescent is too embarrassed to seek continence help, there is a very real danger of them developing low self-esteem and suffering needless emotional distress. Continence problems can cause a young teen to become socially isolated and excluded as they miss field trips and sleepovers with classmates.

Getting assistance for an adolescent may help them solve or at least confidently manage their continence issues, and as they go forward into their adult years, they will be able to engage in all that life has to offer. The importance of proper assessment and treatment of urinary or faecal incontinence, before it affects a teen’s self worth, cannot be overstated.

If you have an adolescent who is suffering from incontinence, there are treatments and medications that may substantially help their condition, and as you are working to solve their problem, incontinence pads can free them from the worry of having accidental leakage in public. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads, which may be ordered online and discretely delivered.

Further Continence Articles

Managing Continence as You Age

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

In an aging population managing continence is becoming a more frequent topic for discussion. With millions of people affected by urinary incontinence, which is involuntary urinary leakage, managing continence is creeping out into the light of day.

While the problem of urinary incontinence is generally associated with old age, it can affect people at any age. For many reasons, not the least of which is embarrassment, many of the people who do suffer from some sort of urinary incontinence suffer in silence, which means that they are not seeking out any help for their condition either.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease; rather it is a symptom of some physical, underlying problem. Becoming incontinent is not a natural part of getting old, though there are changes related to aging that can contribute to urinary incontinence. For example, as a person ages they may develop certain physical limitations that make it difficult for them to reach the bathroom.

Another behavior that may accompany aging is not drinking enough fluids, which can cause a couple of continence problems. First, it concentrates the urine, which can irritate the bladder causing more frequent urination. Secondly, it can cause constipation, which can also be a contributing factor in urinary incontinence.

Conditions such as bladder infection, stroke or afflictions that affect the nervous system can also lead to urinary incontinence. Many medications have urinary incontinence as a side effect, where they either act as a diuretic flooding the bladder with liquid, or they reduce awareness or the urge to urinate like muscle relaxants.

As an older adult there are some things that you can do to manage continence on your own, and most of the ideas are pretty simple. If you have a physical limitation that makes it difficult to get yourself to the bathroom, get into the habit of going to the bathroom at regular intervals throughout the day. Every two or three hours visit the rest room whether you feel the urge to go or not. By scheduling your trips to the bathroom before they are urgent, you are giving yourself ample time to get there before you are hit by a sudden urge to go.

The next step in managing continence on your own is to keep your system regular and avoid becoming constipated. Make sure that you drink about five glasses of water per day along with the fluids that you would normally drink. You may also want to cut back on your consumption of drinks with caffeine or alcohol and drink water instead.

If you are still having problems talk to your medical care professional so that they can identify any medical problems that may be causing your incontinence symptoms. And as you are working through the solution to your problem, incontinence pads can free you from the worry of having accidental leakage in public. They protect clothing and furniture, and they offer protection from skin irritation. While you cannot ignore aging, managing continence as you age allows you to enjoy a continued active lifestyle.

Further Continence Articles

Bladder Weakness in Women More Common than you Think

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

There are many embarrassing moments caused by bladder weakness in women, and bladder incontinence is still an untouched subject. Because of the hush-hush nature of bladder incontinence, there is a lot of incorrect information floating around on the subject.

In the UK by the age of thirty-five one quarter of all women have experienced some sort of bladder weakness symptoms. Only about half of the talk to their doctors about their problem, while the rest suffer in silence. The average time that a woman waits before getting some sort of help is about fifteen years.

Bladder weakness in women can occur for many different reasons with pregnancy and childbirth right at the top of the list. Obesity, constipation and nerve damage can also cause the problem, and menopause can be a culprit as well. Frequently women who suffer from bladder weakness may withdraw from life a little passing up on traveling, exercising and even sex.

There are three types of bladder weakness in women, and they are as follows:

Stress incontinence, or unexpected leakage, can happen anytime undue pressure is exerted on the bladder, which can happen from coughing, laughing, exercise, sneezing or picking up something heavy.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty all the way, which causes urine to continually build up and dribble out as if the bladder is overflowing.

Urge incontinence presents itself with a sudden strong urge to pass urine. With urge incontinence the bladder tries to empty itself despite a woman’s attempt to restrain the flow.

One of the conditions that all three of these problems frequently share making an environment ripe for incontinence is weak pelvic floor muscles. One of the functions of these muscles is to keep the urethra closed. As they become less elastic over time the slightest amount of undue pressure like laughing or coughing can be enough to cause leakage. There is good news though. Just because these muscles are weak now, does not mean that they have to be weak forever.

There are exercises that a woman can do to help restore the vibrancy of her pelvic floor muscles, and they are called Kegel exercises. Any woman who has had a baby has heard of them, and if you have not had a baby, and you are suffering from incontinence, see your medical professional, because they can instruct you about the proper way to do your Kegel exercises.

In a nutshell, these exercises work on the same muscles that you would engage to stop the flow of urine midstream, so this can give you an idea of which muscles you would be conditioning. While it takes a while for a woman to realize the results of her pelvic floor exercises, up to six months, if she is diligent and patient she is almost guaranteed to see an improvement in her bladder weakness condition.

If you suffer from bladder weakness in women, as you are working to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, incontinence pads can free you from the worry of having accidental leakage in public. They come in many different sizes and absorbencies to deal with any problem from mild to severe and protect skin, clothing and furniture. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads, which may be ordered online and delivered discreetly right to your front door.

Further Bladder Weakness in Women Articles

 
 
 

 

Working Out with Incontinence

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

With the New Year fast approaching everyone is making their resolutions for next year. If you are like many people your resolutions may very well include getting in shape. Gym memberships skyrocket in early January only to dwindle by early springtime. However, if you suffer from incontinence symptoms, you may not even consider adding this resolution to your list.

Well if working out is on your wish list, then do not let a little case of incontinence get in the way of finding your way to perfect fitness. On the one hand being fit can go a long way towards maintaining continence, so you may want to think about trying one of these suggestions to bring a workout back into your daily routine.

There are many causes of incontinence, and whether it is from an injury, surgery or even childbirth, you can still find a way to engage in the exercises that you enjoy by following three simple suggestions.

As you are working out all of your arm and leg muscles, remember to work out your pelvic floor muscles as well. By adding regular Kegel exercises to your routine, you will very likely be happily surprised with the results. To do your Kegel exercises simply contract the muscles that you normally use to stop the flow of urine. Hold the muscle tight for three seconds and then relax, and do a set of ten. Repeat them once in the morning and once at night to maintain what you have, and by adding them into your day several more times, you can improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.

Strong pelvic floor muscles keep your bladder working properly, so Kegel exercises are a great addition to your daily exercise routine. Be patient as you do your exercises, because it will probably take about four months for you to realize the full benefits of the Kegel exercises.

The second thing that you may want to try is bladder training where you set a timer and go to the bathroom every hour whether or not you feel you need to go. After about a week of going every hour, stretch your time by a half an hour. Keep doing this every week until you only need to go every four hours.

And the third thing that you can do is be mindful of your fluid intake before heading to the gym. Stay away from anything with caffeine since it may act as a diuretic and irritate your bladder. Both of these things can cause leaks. While you still need to stay hydrated while exercising, try not to hydrate to excess. You can fine tune the exact right amount of fluids that will keep you hydrated without adding undue pressure to your bladder.

By following these three guidelines, even if you suffer from urinary incontinence you can begin your New Year with the same resolution that you start with every year, and who knows, this year you may still be working out long past the spring thaw.

For the several months that it will take to build up your pelvic floor muscles, incontinence pads can give you the peace of mind that will let you enjoy a full workout. They come in a great variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbencies to deal with mild to severe incontinence, and they are comfortable, protect skin from irritation, and prevent stains on furniture and clothing. They can be worn by themselves inside regular underwear or can be used in conjunction with incontinence pants. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads with all of these qualities, allowing you the freedom to exercise to your heart’s content as you welcome the New Year.

Further Incontinence Articles

Coping with Incontinence During the Holidays

Friday, December 25th, 2009

Does the idea of traveling for Christmas strike fear in your heart? Do you dread shopping because you are constantly on the lookout for a washroom? Coping with incontinence can be challenging at any time of the year, but may be even more difficult at Christmas time when you may be invited out frequently and may be more apt to travel. So what can be done to make coping with incontinence during the holidays a little easier? You may find the following suggestions helpful.

Avoid overindulgence – It is all too easy to overindulge in all of our favorites during the holiday season. Alcoholic beverages, caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy and acidic foods and other holiday treats can worsen incontinence. Avoiding these foods or moderating your intake can help you maintain control.

Arrange accommodations in advance – Whether you are staying in a hotel/motel or in the guest room of a loved one’s home, advance preparation can set your mind at ease and allow you to feel comfortable wherever you are. For example, if staying in someone’s home, ask if it is possible to be placed in a room close to the washroom. You may also consider the use of a mattress pad or bed cover. These products are designed to protect mattresses from leakage, and can grant you peace of mind while traveling. You may want to bring a supply of plastic bags with you to dispose of any used products.

Plan your trip- – When traveling, you may find it helpful to do a little reconnaissance before the mission; in other words, you may want to plan for bathroom breaks. Many people who suffer from incontinence are already in the habit of locating the bathroom in whatever venue they are visiting. The same can be done for trips by car—plan to stop frequently at rest stops and restaurants. Frequent stops will decrease the chance of accidental leakage.

Choose the right protection – Perhaps the most important thing you can do to ensure that embarrassing leakage is not an issue for you is to choose the right incontinence product. Incontinence pads come in a wide variety of shapes and absorbencies. Incontinence pants are also widely available. Either of these choices can provide protection and discreetness, allowing you to relax and enjoy yourself.

Incontinence need not detract from your enjoyment of the holidays. Planning in advance and using products designed to help you cope with incontinence, such as mattress covers, absorbent incontinence pads and pants will help you feel confident and secure. DryForLife has a wide range of products designed with you in mind. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the holidays!

Further Incontinence Articles

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