Incontinence | DryForLife Incontinence Advice

Infection as a Cause of Bladder Incontinence

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Bladder incontinence is a common condition affecting millions of people around the world. Causes of bladder incontinence are numerous. Infection in some part of the urinary tract may cause incontinence and is one cause that your physician can easily detect and treat.

Urinary tract infections may affect the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the bladder (cystitis) or the urethra (urethritis). Men may also suffer from prostatitis, or infection of the prostate gland. Bladder incontinence is sometimes the result of untreated infections.

Not all people who have urinary tract infections are symptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
-Frequency (frequent need to urinate)
-Dysuria (painful urination)
-Hematuria (blood in the urine, which may be visible or only -detectable under a microscope)
-Rectal fullness (men)
-Suprapubic pain (pain just above the pubic bone)
-Fatigue
-Weakness
-Fever (usually present when infection reaches the kidneys)
-Flank pain or backache (usually only with pyelonephritis)
-Nausea and vomiting (pyelonephritis)
-Milky, foul-smelling urine

In children, symptoms may not be obvious. Children are more likely to have a fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and failure to thrive (in infants).

Urine is normally sterile. However, bacteria sometimes cling to and multiply at the entrance to the urinary tract, the urethra. There are several bacteria that live in the bowel and anus. These bacteria can travel from the urethra upwards to other areas of the urinary tract.

Usually, the act of urination causes bacteria to be washed away, but this mechanism sometimes fails. Some people are more prone to urinary tract infection due to underlying health conditions:
-Victims of spinal cord injury (incomplete bladder emptying)
-Sexually active women (urinating after intercourse may decrease r-isk of infection)
-People with kidney stones
-People with suppressed immune function
-Women who use a diaphragm as a method of birth control
-Men with enlarged prostate glands

Urinary tract infection may cause temporary bladder incontinence when symptoms, such as urgency, are intense. Fortunately, bladder infection can be easily detected and treated with antibiotics. Any new-onset bladder incontinence should be evaluated by a physician. When the cause of bladder incontinence is urinary tract infection, the problem can be easily treated.

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Save Money with Washable Incontinent Pads

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

There’s no doubt about it; suffering from incontinence can be expensive. One way to cut down on the expense associated with being incontinent is to consider the use of washable incontinent pads.

Incontinence products generally come in two varieties: disposable or washable (reusable). While many people prefer to use disposable products, because they can simply be disposed of when soiled, there are a growing number of people who choose to use washable products in order to save money.

Washable incontinent pads are often teamed with washable incontinent pants. These products are made of comfortable, breathable materials that are highly absorbent. Washable incontinent pants often look and feel like normal underwear, which is a large part of their appeal. As the incontinence market has grown, so have the styles and features of products. For example, men’s washable incontinence pads and pants now come in styles that appeal to men, such as boxer style briefs. Women have not been forgotten- manufacturers realize that women desire products that are discreet and look natural under any type of garment they choose to wear.
More and more people are going green, and buying washable incontinent pads and pants is one way that consumers can help the environment. By cutting down on waste, buying washable products can assist people who care about the environment by allowing them a choice.

DryForLife understands that people with incontinence want to have a choice in the products they use to cope with incontinence, and that people want value for their money. DryForLife offers a wide range of products, including washable incontinent pads, which are comfortable to wear, absorbent, discreet and cost-effective. DryForLife is also proud to carry the full line of Tena products to offer their valued clients a wider choice in incontinence products.

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Waterproof Mattress Covers - UK Made and Sold

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Many people will not use the term “lifesavers” when referring to waterproof mattress covers, but anyone who suffers from incontinence will know the true value of a good mattress cover. There are many benefits to investing in waterproof mattress covers. UK statistics state that there are 1 to 3 million UK residents who suffer from incontinence, likely more due to the reluctance of many to discuss the issue.

Mattress covers come in a wide variety of shapes, materials and sizes. They may be designed to protect your mattress in the event of light incontinence, or they may be manufactured to handle heavy incontinence. They may be washable or disposable. You will need to consider your unique needs when purchasing waterproof mattress covers.

If you suffer from light, occasional incontinence, a disposable waterproof mattress pad may be sufficient for your needs. These mattress covers are designed to be placed under you while you sleep, and may cover only a portion of the mattress. They may be folded up and discreetly put away when no longer needed if they are not soiled. If you suffer from heavy incontinence you may want to use a full mattress cover, which will protect the entire mattress you are sleeping on. These mattress covers are generally washable and can be reused after washing.

Replacing a mattress can be an expensive proposition. For this reason, you will want to protect the life of your mattress if you suffer from incontinence. Once soiled, it can be difficult to clean a mattress and you may be left with unsightly stains. Many manufacturers recommend changing a mattress every 10 years, so you will want to keep your mattress fresh and clean for its lifetime. DryForLife carries a wide selection of waterproof mattress covers. UK manufactured and delivered right to your door, DryForLife waterproof mattress covers have you covered.

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Incontinence Pads for Men

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Although women are affected by urinary incontinence more often than men, there are plenty of men coping with incontinence on a daily basis. Although anatomy differs between the sexes, both men and women need incontinence products that they can depend on. Incontinence pads for men are designed with men in mind, taking into account their unique needs.

Incontinence pads for men are not much different than those designed for women in terms of absorbency. They are generally made of the same materials. The major difference between incontinence pads for men and women is that incontinence pads for men are designed to absorb urine near the front of the pad, while female incontinence pads are designed to absorb urine in the middle and back of the pad.

For example, DryForLife’s Male Guards for Men are shaped pads with an adhesive backing to help them stay in place. They are designed to look and feel natural and are suitable for light urinary incontinence. Super Absorbent Stick-On Pads for Men provide extra absorbency. They are thicker for moderate incontinence and can be worn in most any pant discreetly.

Some men may prefer to wear incontinence pants with built-in pads. The advantage of these is that they are washable, which may be more economically feasible for some. They can be washed quite easily in the washing machine. These incontinence pads for men may not be suitable for heavy incontinence. Some incontinence pants are designed for use with disposable incontinence pads for men, and some may find the disposable option more appealing, albeit slightly more expensive.

Nowadays, there are many options in incontinence pads for men. DryForLife has a full product line of incontinence products designed specifically with men in mind. DryForLife values your privacy; for this reason, incontinence products can be ordered online and delivered right to your door, saving you the hassle of shopping for incontinence products in the store. View our full line of DryForLife incontinence products to find a solution for your incontinence needs.

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Incontinence Pants: UK Estimates Up to 6 Million Incontinence Sufferers

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

If you are incontinent, as 3 to 6 million people in the UK are estimated to be, you may wonder what your options are in regards to purchasing incontinence pants, UK or elsewhere. Incontinence pants are a necessity for those who suffer from incontinence and purchasing options vary.

Some people choose to purchase incontinence pants from a store.
This requires taking the time to shop for incontinence pants. When you have found what you are looking for in terms of the right style, size, absorbency and fit for your incontinence pants, you then must pay for them in the store, carry them to your car, and then transport them into your home.

Many people are embarrassed by the fact that they suffer from incontinence, although the condition is common in the UK and around the world. They are reluctant to purchase incontinent supplies from the corner store for fear that they may run into someone they know, and their secret will become common knowledge.

For this reason, some people, who suffer from incontinence, choose to purchase their incontinence pants and other products from an online supplier, who will ship supplies directly to their door. This service saves the embarrassment and hassle of purchasing your necessities publicly. Incontinence pants and other supplies are often cheaper when ordered online or by catalog.

Where can you purchase incontinence pants? UK suppliers such as DryForLife, one of the best-known and respected incontinence supply manufacturers, will ship directly to your door, saving you the hassle of shopping personally for your incontinence needs. Purchasing products online can save you money, and you can rest assured that your order will be handled professionally and discreetly.

Want to learn more about your options for purchasing online incontinence pants? UK based DryForLife has the solutions to your problem. To view our full line of products, visit DryForLife online.

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Childbirth and Incontinence in Women

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Women are more likely to suffer from incontinence than men. This predisposition is largely due to the fact that women give birth, which is an act that can bring great joy and can also wreak havoc on women’s bodies. Sometimes pregnancy itself can cause incontinence in women.

During pregnancy, the uterus grows to a point where it applies a lot of pressure to the bladder. This may result in stress incontinence. A woman with a large, gravid uterus may find that she leaks urine when she coughs, sneezes or laughs. Lifting heavy objects may also cause incontinence in women who are pregnant. Stress incontinence during pregnancy is usually transient and ends when the pregnancy does, because the uterus returns to its pre-pregnant size.

Childbirth itself can cause trauma to many structures, including the muscles of the pelvic floor, which help to control urination, and nerves. Conditions that may predispose a women to damage to these structures during childbirth include the following:

Use of forceps or vacuum extraction

Large birth weight babies (>4000 grams)

Multiple births

Prolonged labour

Precipitous birth (baby comes too quickly)

Induced labour using drugs

Episiotomy (performed to enlarge the vaginal opening)

Sometimes damage caused by childbirth is not evident for years after a woman gives birth. When a women experiences new-onset urinary or faecal incontinence, her doctor will want to know about the circumstances surrounding her pregnancies and births. Multiple pregnancies and births may make a woman more likely to experience incontinence.

Incontinence in women need not be permanent. There are many treatments and therapies that may improve or cure incontinence. Many women who experience incontinence assume that there is nothing that can be done, and they do not seek medical advice. Seeing a doctor is the first step to curing incontinence, and incontinence in women should never be viewed as a normal event.

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Choosing Incontinent Pants

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Incontinent pants are preferred by some people with incontinence for the simple reason that they function as normal underwear. The incontinence market has grown steadily, and the result has been a wider variety of incontinent pants to choose from.

Incontinence pads require regular changing due to their smaller size and lesser ability to absorb urine readily. Incontinence pants, on the other hand, may be worn for longer periods of time between changes. In addition, incontinence pads often require the addition of an incontinent pant worn over the pad to help keep the pad in place; therefore, some people prefer to wear incontinent pants only.
Incontinent pants come in a variety of styles and most are made to resemble normal underwear. When properly fitted, incontinence pants may fit more comfortably than a pad alone. Incontinence pants can be worn underneath virtually any type of clothing discreetly, and wearers appreciate the sense of security that incontinence pants provide, even for those who suffer from heavy incontinence.

For women, incontinence pants may be made out of a mesh material that helps to hold pads in place. Also available are cotton or polyester blend incontinence pants with built-in pads. These types of incontinence pants can be washed in the machine. Disposable incontinence pants are simply discarded when they become wet, and they are likely the most popular incontinence pants available due to their convenience and ease of use.

For men, incontinence pants come in the varieties described above: the disposable type or the pad-in-pant variety that can be washed and reused. Men will appreciate some of the newer styles of incontinence pants that are made to resemble boxer shorts or briefs. These incontinence pants look and feel like regular underwear and are generally the washable variety.

Whichever incontinent pant you choose, whether of the disposable or washable variety, you will want to ensure a good fit. Comfort is also important, as is price. If you are looking to save money the washable type of incontinent pants may be best for you. If your main concern is convenience, the disposable kind may be most suited to your lifestyle.

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Male Incontinence Pads for Today’s Active Man

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Incontinence in men, although less common than in women, is more frequent than most men might think. Men can suffer from the same types of incontinence that plague women, including stress incontinence, overflow incontinence and urge incontinence. Regardless of the type of incontinence experienced, today’s men expect the same level of comfort and security from male incontinence pads as women do from products designed for them.
Men who suffer from incontinence will be glad to know that male incontinence pads are designed with them in mind. Because their anatomy is different and more wetness is expected to occur at the front of the pads, male incontinence pads today are designed with extra protection in the front, where it is needed most. Discreetness is just as important to men, and male incontinence products are designed to resemble normal undergarments and securely hold male incontinence pads in place. Male incontinence pants look and feel like normal underwear and come in a variety of styles, including boxers and briefs.
Here are some examples of popular styles of male incontinence pads and incontinence pants that can be used with pads:
Male Guard for Men- These disposable shaped male incontinence pads fit in regular pants and are held securely in place with an adhesive strip. They are absorbent and men will feel secure and comfortable, no matter what activity they are involved in.
Premium Pouch Pants for Men- These washable incontinence pants look and feel like regular underwear and contain a pouch that holds a disposable pad securely in place. Men will enjoy the fact that these pants feel like normal underwear and can be worn discreetly under any pant type.
Boxer Short Pants for Men- Prefer boxers? Many men do, which is why these incontinence pants are so popular. These pants feature a highly absorbent built-in pad and look just like popular boxers sold everywhere. Men will appreciate their style and comfort.
Complete Pants for Men- Many men choose briefs over boxers, and these briefs contain a built-in male incontinence pad. Made of comfortable polyester, these pants have a fly front that looks like the real thing.
Today’s active man can pursue virtually any activity, secure in the fact that DryForLife male incontinence pads and incontinence pants will protect him while keeping him dry and comfortable. There are more choices than ever for men who suffer from incontinence.
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How to Choose the Right Incontinent Products

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

There is often a lot of trial and error that goes into choosing the right incontinent products. After all, you want to be sure that your incontinent products do what you need them to do, at a cost that won’t stress your wallet. The following are some factors you may want to consider when choosing incontinent products:
What level of protection do I need?
It is important to consider how much protection you require. For example, are you constantly wet, or do you suffer from mild incontinence only when you cough or sneeze? Here’s a breakdown of incontinence levels.
Level 1 (Light or Mild Incontinence) - This type of incontinence is often the result of stress on the bladder (stress incontinence). It often occurs with sneezing, coughing or lifting a heavy object. Level 1 incontinence involves only small losses of urine or drops of urine associated with the activities mentioned.
Level 2 (Moderate Incontinence) - This level of incontinence includes losing the partial contents of your bladder, but not the entire amount. Moderate incontinence often occurs with overflow incontinence or urge incontinence.
Level 3 (Heavy Incontinence) – Most people with heavy incontinence have little control over their bladders. They may experience urine loss at night and their bladder may empty completely without warning.
Level 4 (Severe Incontinence) – People with severe incontinence may have other medical conditions, suffer from heavy incontinence and may also suffer from bowel incontinence.
Washable or Disposable?
Another important factor to consider is whether to choose washable or disposable incontinent products. Disposable incontinent products are simply disposed of after use, which many people find more convenient. Washable incontinent products require rinsing and washing, and although they may be more cost effective, many people do not want the hassle involved in constant laundering.
Absorbency
Absorbency can be used as a guide to help you choose an incontinent product. If you discover that the incontinent product you are using is not absorbent enough, you can simply try a product with a higher absorbency.
These guidelines can help you choose the DryForLife incontinence product that is just right for you. If you are still unsure of which product to choose, you can call us for free advice over the telephone, or email us if you prefer.
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Making Sense of Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

There are many different variables to consider when you are considering the underlying causes of incontinence. Most common in elderly men and women, incontinence is by no means isolated to this age group. It can also be found in younger people, and might even be more common than you think. Women tend to suffer from the symptoms of incontinence more frequently than men, because of toll that pregnancy and childbirth take on the body. However, incontinence can also be caused by infection, disease, injuries and surgery in both women and men of all ages.

Sometimes the manifestation of incontinence is a little fuzzy in that it is not clearly one type or another. Rather it seems to be a combination of two different types. For example, there are three main types of urinary incontinence, which are stress, urge and overflow incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when a sudden pressure is inflicted on the area of the abdomen affecting the bladder. Something like a sneeze, laugh, cough, or straining when lifting a heavy object is enough to cause stress incontinence. Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles are usually the culprit of stress incontinence. This type of incontinence is very common after pregnancy and childbirth or prostate surgery.

The problems associated with urge incontinence appear seemingly out of nowhere, and if you cannot find a restroom immediately, you are very likely to have an accident. Since this type of incontinence is marked with a sudden and uncontrollable bladder contraction, it is frequently managed with medication to quiet the spasm of the bladder. This type of incontinence most frequently occurs in older men and women.

When you have the symptoms of two types of incontinence intertwined and manifesting themselves in concert, the condition is known as mixed incontinence. While mixed incontinence can be a combination of any of the three types of incontinence, it is most often stress incontinence mixed with urge incontinence. When a doctor is treating a case of mixed incontinence he or she will first treat the dominant symptoms, and then address the less dominant symptoms.

Then treatments for mixed incontinence are the same as they are for each individual type of incontinence, and your medical professional can help you define whether behavior modification, physical therapy, medication or surgery is the appropriate course of action for your specific case of incontinence. The treatment recommendation will change depending on the underlying cause of your incontinence.

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