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Enuresis in Healthy Men and Women

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Distressing and embarrassing, enuresis can be a difficult topic for any adult to discuss with their doctor. After all, bed wetting in for children! Well, as many adults know, this is not always the case, and having a proper evaluation from a health care professional can oftentimes help or completely solve the problem. Knowing that help is likely available for adults suffering from enuresis may be just the little push that a middle aged person needs to seek some professional, medical help for their problem.

The problem of enuresis can affect a person at any age. While typically the very young or the very old suffer from episodes of bed wetting, enuresis can afflict young adults and even teens who are otherwise strong and healthy. Bed wetting symptoms are unique to the individual, and while some enuresis sufferers have wet their beds throughout their entire life, others develop the problem later in their adult years. Nocturnal enuresis can be divided into two main categories, which are primary and secondary. Each type has unique symptoms, and there are different treatments recommended for each type of enuresis as well. Both types of nocturnal bed wetting can also be addressed with natural treatments.

When a child wets the bed all of the way into adulthood, they are suffering from primary enuresis, which may have an underlying medical problem that causes the enuresis symptoms. This tendency for nocturnal enuresis is often passed from generation to generation; so it is fair to say that genes are an important factor in this problem.

For adults who grew up not experiencing any problems with nocturnal enuresis, they may develop secondary enuresis, and it can be brought on by mental trauma, physical injury, excessive alcohol use, or anxiety. When enuresis occurs randomly, it is usually considered secondary enuresis. This type of enuresis develops later in life in an otherwise healthy adult.

There are millions of people dealing with some kind of bed wetting problem, and it is important to seek medical help when these symptoms occur, because the enuresis may indicate a more serious, underlying condition. Even thought the problem may be a little embarrassing, it is important for a person to discuss it with their doctor, because a trained, medical professional can quickly make the determination as to the condition’s cause.

Think of enuresis as a symptom rather than an actual illness in its own right, and while working with a physician to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms there are many products that can be used to help effectively manage the problem. There are waterproof and absorbent pads, pants and mattress covers that can help to keep the bed dry, and there are alarms that can be used to awaken a person at the first sign of wetness. Using these products may help to alleviate the anxiety of nocturnal enuresis while working with a doctor to discover its root cause.

What Continence Supplies Do You Need?

Monday, December 27th, 2010

Whether you are new to incontinence, having just developed the condition, or have been suffering from incontinence for quite some time, there are some continence supplies that you will not want to be without. The following is a short list of essential continence supplies.

Incontinence Pads – Incontinence pads can be used alone or in conjunction with incontinence pants. Incontinence pads can be changed easily, are discreet and offer the security you need if you suffer from incontinence. They can easily be carried in a purse or bag.

Incontinence Pants – Incontinence pants may be used alone or may be used with a pad. They may be disposable or washable and come in a variety of styles and materials. Those who suffer from heavy incontinence may prefer to use incontinence pants with a pad for extra security and protection. Washable incontinence pants are an attractive option for some, while others prefer the freedom of disposable incontinence pants.

Mattress Covers – To protect your mattress, you may wish to use a mattress cover. They come in various styles and sizes. Some mattress covers protect only the area of mattress that may become soiled in the event of leakage, while others cover the entire mattress. Many have plastic backing and are made rustle-free to ensure a restful night’s sleep, without fear of ruining an expensive mattress.

Hygienic Wipes – To prevent skin irritation, excess moisture should be removed from the skin when incontinence products are changed. Hygienic wipes may be used to wash the skin, leaving behind emollients that protect the skin from irritation caused by wetness. Hygienic wipes can be discreetly carried and can also be used to cleanse your hands in a pinch.

Alcohol Hand Gel – Alcohol hand gel is used to kill any bacteria on the skin and is perfect for use after changing products or before eating a meal. Alcohol hand gel is the same product used by healthcare professionals in hospitals to cleanse their hands in between patients.

The above continence supplies can be considered helpful for anyone managing a problem with incontinence. Each individual should sample different continence supplies to find which product of group of products produces the best results for them.

Additional Articles Dealing with Continence

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.

More Articles Dealing with Incontinence Products

Waterproof Mattress Protection Help Manage Nocturnal Enuresis

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Sometimes nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, does not go away. The problem is never solved, and the exact cause is never identified. When this happens, at some point a person accepts the possibility of forever while continuing to hope for a cure. When a child is still young they do not grasp the social stigma that accompanies wearing a diaper to bed, but by the time they are a young teen, they are all too aware of the embarrassment of the situation and the need for some sort or waterproof mattress protection.

It is interesting that humans are not ashamed to wear glasses or hearing aids, but wearing a diaper to bed is something to be pitied or, worse yet, ridiculed. In very young children bedwetting is extremely common, and every child develops at their own rate when it comes to just about everything including walking, talking and continence. Because toilet training usually happens at such an early age, we naturally relate the need for bedwetting protection to very small children or babies.

However, for some people, bedwetting remains an issue for their entire lives. It is not a choice; it is a symptom, even when the underlying cause remains a mystery. If parents try everything that their doctor recommends, and still their child continues to have bedwetting problems, then it is simply a practical decision for them to use some sort or waterproof mattress protection. Whether it is having the child continue to wear a diaper or using protective mattress covers or both, at some point the issue begins to take on the mantle of maintenance rather that of a cure.

After putting a child through all of the treatments and cures to help curtail bedwetting like alarms, limiting fluid intake and various medications, when nothing is working, there is a point where learning to live with this condition is far preferable to waking up every morning drenched from a nocturnal accident. While bedwetting is generally accepted behavior for the very young or the very old, there are also certain conditions that cause otherwise healthy children to battle nocturnal enuresis. For some people, it simply becomes a disease that has to be managed like any other physical impairment.

Nocturnal enuresis is a health problem, and it cannot always be cured. Sometimes it simply must be managed, and that is when the need for quality incontinence care products becomes important. Whether it is waterproof mattress protection, pants or pads, having the right incontinence products can help to take some of the stress out of dealing with this problem. At DryForLife we have been helping our customers successfully deal with incontinence issues for over forty years.

Further Incontinence Products Articles

Incontinence Underwear for Men Help when Recovering from Prostate Surgery

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Urinary incontinence in men can be caused by a number of different factors, and the likelihood of incontinence increases as a man ages. One of the things that happens as a man ages is that his prostate begins to enlarge, and it may require that he use incontinence underwear for men for a time to help manage his situation. As the prostate becomes enlarged it interferes with the proper functioning of the urinary tract, and that is how the prostate contributes to men’s incontinence.

The prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut, and it is sandwiched in between the penis and the bladder with the urethra running right through it. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. During a man’s reproductive process the prostate releases a fluid that is nourishing and protective to sperm. Around the age of 50 most men’s prostate glands begin to enlarge causing a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which manifests itself as difficulty urinating.

To treat an enlarged prostate medication or surgery are the normal course of treatment. Alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles around the urethra, help to allow the urine to pass freely through the urethra. Another medication, which is sometimes used to treat this condition, is 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which reduce DHT, a type of testosterone, causing the prostate to shrink relieving pressure on the urethra. If medication does not solve the problem, then some men may need surgery to improve their symptoms, however one of the risks of surgery is that a man may be left dealing with urinary incontinence.

Another problem that can occur with the prostate is cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in men, next to skin cancer, and it is highly treatable using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Surgery for prostate cancer is called a prostatectomy, which removes the entire prostate with the hopes of removing all of the cancer cells with it. When radiation is warranted, it kills all of the cancer cells in the prostate and minimizes damage to surrounding healthy cells. Other solutions that attempt to kill cancer cells and minimize damage to healthy cells are radioactive seed implants, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormone therapy and various clinical trials.

Unfortunately all of these treatments have the risk of urinary incontinence for at least several months after the treatment has ended. However, in the grand scheme of things, if you have cancer, it is much better to be cancer free and deal with the inconvenience of incontinence for a time than the alternative. There are many different incontinence products that are available to help manage your incontinence symptoms as you find your way back to good health including incontinence underwear for men and protective mattress covers. At DryForLife we are happy to discreetly answer any questions that you may have regarding the best products to help manage your situation.

Further Incontinence Articles

Successfully Dealing with Eneuresis

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Once a child is old enough to be toilet trained, if they are still unable to control their bladder the condition is known as enuresis. Less than three percent of children have a physical cause contributing to enuresis, which means that the condition is largely behavioral. Enuresis is also commonly referred to as bedwetting, and there are many different factors that can contribute to the condition.

If your family has a history of bedwetting then it should not be a surprise if at least one of your children also has a challenge with enuresis. The effect of genetics on enuresis can also appear as delayed maturation, where bladder muscles are not yet fully developed and coordinated. This condition is also likely to occur if your child has a small bladder capacity or if they are an extremely sound sleeper. Another sleep related condition that can contribute to enuresis is sleep apnea, which decreases oxygen levels in the blood making a child’s body less likely to respond to the signals when it is time to urinate.

Physical problems that can contribute to a child’s bedwetting can include a urinary tract infection or bladder irritation from chronic constipation. Some children’s bodies produce a high volume of urine during the night making it more likely that they will have a toileting accident in their sleep.

There are also outside factors that can have a huge effect on a child manifesting themselves in enuresis among other things. Events like a parent going away such as in divorce, the addition of a new family member as in the birth of a sibling or the first steps at independence as in the first days of school can all cause bedwetting problems.

The question then becomes what to do about your child’s enuresis symptoms. Almost always the first line of treatment is behavioral therapy. There are several proven methods that routinely work, but before you even attempt this type of treatment, you need to make sure that your child is ready and able to succeed. They need to be able to understand your instructions, and their muscles need to be developed enough so that your child can control them.

As you work with your child, take care to be patient and positive as punishing a child for bedwetting can actually do more harm than good. Toilet training is a process, and as such it takes some time. Generally a child will make forward progress and then fall back a bit before going forward again. So as you are making your way through this, two steps forward, one step back process, realize that this is a normal pattern, and if you feel that the process is working on your last nerve, get some help from a medical professional.

Here are some simple things that you can do to stack the deck in favor of your child’s success. Start by having your child go to the bathroom right before getting into bed, even if they do not have to go. Leave a nightlight on in the bathroom so that your child can easily find their way should they wake during the night. Take your child out of diapers at night. You may want to put a protective mattress cover on their bed just in case they have an accident. You can also place a disposable bed pad on the mattress, and in the event of a bedwetting incident, your child can simply change their nightclothes, throw away the wet pad, replace it with a dry one and go back to sleep. Then in the morning your child can remake their bed and take a shower. By having your child be responsible for cleaning up after his or her own accident, you are supplying motivation for them to have a dry night. You can also encourage them with a small reward when they have a successful night.

You can also help your child be successful by managing their liquid intake and limiting their consumption during evening hours. There are also night wet alarms that awaken the child at the first sign of wetness, but the most important thing is for your child to be motivated for success. So solutions like medication and night alarms are often the last stitch solutions. As you are working on solving your child’s enuresis problems, make the challenge easier by using quality mattress covers and disposable mattress pads to help your child successfully complete their toilet training process.

Further Enuresis Articles

Urinary Incontinence Products that Work for You

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

When you notice that you are experiencing a problem with urinary incontinence, you will certainly want to discuss the problem with your doctor, because your doctor can ferret out the exact cause of your condition. Then as you work with your doctor towards a cure for your incontinence problem, you will want to find quality, urinary incontinence products to help you avoid any embarrassing situations.

When you are looking for products, you will of course find pants and pads, and you will also find products that can help your skin stay healthy by preventing irritation and rashes. If you are not sure what types of products would work best for your situation, check with your medical professional, because they have plenty of experience dealing with different products for odour control and skin protection, pads and pants, as well as comfort and ease of use.

After discussing products with your medical professional you will have a good starting point as you set about finding which products work best for you. As you try different urinary incontinence products, if they work for you, great, and if not, then you can try another product or brand until you find ones that work to your satisfaction.

As you try different products, you will determine soon enough which ones work best for you. You may find that different products work for different activities in your life. For example, a disposable pad may work best for your daily exercise routine, where washable incontinence pants may be more comfortable for wearing the rest of the day. At night, waterproof mattress covers may be your most comfortable choice.

When you do wear disposable pants or pads, make sure to change them regularly, because even if they are not soiled, they can chafe your skin and cause a rash. When your disposable pad is soiled, you will definitely want to change it as soon as possible to keep your skin from being compromised and to manage odour.

Washable incontinence pants look very much like regular underwear, and have a reinforced crotch area. Some are even constructed from special fabric that helps to wick wetness away from you keeping your skin dry and healthy. This type of underwear is generally worn without a pad. You can also find waterproof pants that you wear over your regular underwear. Most of these products are very discreet and are virtually undetectable under clothing.

As you are working through the challenge of finding the best products for your situation, DryForLife can help you find the perfect products for your situation. You can try a sample pack of various products, which will give you a great idea of which products you like and which you do not. You may prefer the convenience of disposable urinary incontinence products, or you may prefer the cost savings of washable incontinence products. You may find that a combination of both types of urinary incontinence products really works best for you. Whatever your solution, we are happy to help you find it.

Further Incontinence Products Articles

A Mattress Cover for a Good Night’s Sleep

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

If you are dealing with any type of continence problems in your family, you can take a lot of worry out of the process by protecting your mattress with a quality mattress cover. If you have not purchased a mattress for several years, you will very likely be shocked at how much a good mattress costs. It is actually a bit of an investment, so it only makes sense to protect your investment with a cover.

Whether it is for an older adult with a urinary incontinence problem, or for small children as they are going through the toilet training process, there are sure to be accidents that result in a puddle on the mattress. And you want it to me exactly that, “on” the mattress, not “in” the mattress. While you may not want a puddle exactly, you do want the mattress pad on the bed to trap all of the liquid and keep it from ever even touching the mattress.

Mattress covers are available in many different styles from very basic to quite luxurious. They come in hypoallergenic covers with soft quilted tops or even fluffy terry tops. Unlike the crinkly waterproof pads of years ago, the new waterproof materials create comfortable, pliable pads that are completely waterproof.

Even if you do not worry about the danger of bed wetting accidents, using a mattress cover is a great way to extend the life of your mattress. While you sleep your body sheds dead skin cells and sweat through your pores and without a mattress cover there is nothing to protect your mattress.

So whether you are looking for incontinence products like a a completely waterproof mattress cover to help deal with a bladder problem or you simply want to protect your mattress from the ravages of daily use, DryForLife can offer a full range of mattress covers from which to choose. You can order online and have your new mattress cover delivered right to your front door.

Further Incontinence Products Articles

Patience is the Key with Bed Wetting Enuresis

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

While it is probably nothing to worry about, it should not be ignored either. Bed wetting enuresis describes when a child has bed wetting accidents after the normal age of toilet training, which is usually by about age six. While it is a common childhood problem, no one really knows what causes bed wetting.

It does tend to run in families, so if one of the parents had a problem with nocturnal enuresis when growing up, it is quite common for their child to experience the same problem. Sometimes the problem occurs because the bladder simply is not large enough to hold an entire night’s worth of urine, and for other children, their nerve endings do not sense when the bladder is full.

When a child has been successfully toilet trained and then starts bed wetting, it definitely needs your immediate attention. This pattern can be the harbinger of a new stress such as a disruption in family life like moving, death or divorce. It is common for children who have been sexually abused to start wetting the bed. Illness or infection can also cause this problem, so it is vitally important to have a doctor evaluate the situation when a child regresses into bed wetting.

For children who have never been completely toilet trained, there are several ways that you can handle the problem. Even though most children will eventually outgrow bed wetting, it may cause them embarrassment, and they may want to help the process along. Using a bed wetting alarm is one way for a child to learn to awaken when they need to go to the bathroom. The alarm is worn on the child’s underwear or pajamas, and at the first hint of moisture an alarm sounds to awaken the child. The idea is for the alarm to help condition the child to awaken during the night when they need to go to the bathroom.

Another treatment method is medication, though it is not appropriate for all cases. Your doctor will be the best judge of whether medication is the right course of action for your child. Medication may come in very handy for a special sleepover or a week at camp, so it may be a short term option as well.

As you and your child work through this challenge, be supportive, and reassure them that the problem will get better in time. Limit fluids just before bedtime, and always have your child go to the bathroom before sending them off to bed. While you can use protective mattress covers to protect the bed, you do not want to put your child in diapers during the night, because it indicates that bed wetting is not a problem, and it can be demoralizing for your child. When your child has an accident have them help you change the sheets, and above all be patient and keep a positive attitude.

If you are concerned about your child’s bed wetting enuresis it is always a good idea to discuss the problem with your child’s doctor, and they can rule out any physical problems like illness or injury.

Further Bed Wetting Articles

Continence Pads and Products Pivotal in Leading Normal Life

Monday, March 8th, 2010

All too often when a person begins to experience continence problems they start to withdraw from social activities for fear of an embarrassing public accident. However, with the new continence pads and products that are available on the market today, you can expect to manage your urinary or faecal incontinence problem while continuing to engage in a normal and active lifestyle.

You can find continence care products in any number of places, so being able to get your hands on the right products is not usually where people run into problems. The problem occurs when trying to choose the right product for your particular situation. Discussing your symptoms with your doctor or medical professional is a great place to start, because they can advise you on the basics of what to look for in your continence care products. They are usually aware of the newest products on the market, so they can keep you updated on any innovative new developments in products as well.

For many people pads and pants are the best choice, and they come in all shapes and sizes. These products are available in disposable and washable styles, and they are also manufactured in gender specific designs to suit the differences between the male and female anatomy. For many people, different continence pads are appropriate for different activities throughout the day. For example, if you are working out, one type of pad may work best, and then for your day at work, another type of pad may be more comfortable and effective.

Especially if you are just beginning to deal with a continence problem, it may be a good idea to get a sample pack of products, so that you can try several different styles and absorbency levels to see which work the best for your situation. You may find that you like the convenience of disposable pads and the cost of washable products, so using a combination of the two may be the perfect solution for you.

While most pads are designed to be low profile, generally the larger the continence pad, the more urine it will absorb. Other pads are designed for bowel incontinence and have a special built in odour control. When selecting pads, you want to look for a snug, yet comfortable, fit, so that your skin does not become chafed or irritated. Continence pads are built to hold large volumes of liquid and quickly wick it away from the skin to keep any type of rash or skin infection from developing.

You can also find mattress covers and furniture protection, which can be used alone or in tandem with other continence care products. So as you are working to find the perfect combination of continence pads and products to properly manage your situation, remember that DryForLife has been helping people deal with their continence care needs for over forty years, and we are here to help.

Further Continence Articles

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