Urinary Incontinence

Article submitted by Elderstore.com.
For more information, they can be reached at 888-833-8875, or visit their website: www.elderstore.com.

More than 13 million people in the US, both men and women, young and old are dealing with urinary incontinence. Due to pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the physiology of the female urinary tract, women suffer from incontinence twice as often as men. But men as well as women can become incontinent due to physical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, strokes and other physical disabilities associated with aging.

Incontinence is not a predetermined symptom of aging but older women do suffer more than younger women.

There are several types of urinary incontinence: Many women have been living for years with one of these incontinence issues too embarrassed to tell their doctor. Knowing that millions of other women in this country deal with these same issues just might make it easier for women to seek help.

Stress Incontinence is the most common form of incontinence in women. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can cause stress incontinence. If you leak urine when you cough, laugh, or sneeze you may have stress incontinence.

Urge Incontinence can be especially difficult. If you suddenly and unexpectantly feel the immediate need or urge to urinate and you lose urine, even while sleeping, you may be suffering from urge incontinence. Urge incontinence is generally caused by inappropriate bladder contractions. This condition is sometimes called "unstable," spastic" or "overactive" bladder.

Functional Incontinence is characterized by urination due to a physical disability, mobility issues or the inability to know or communicate the need to go to the restroom. These are often the incontinence issues faced by elderly women in nursing homes.

Overflow Incontinence is bladder leakage due to an overfull bladder. Weak bladder muscles or a blocked urethra can cause this type of incontinence. Overflow incontinence is rare in women and much more common in men.

Mixed Incontinence is usually the combination of both stress and urge incontinence together.

In addition to the above, a temporary incontinence condition can be caused by a urinary tract infections or possibly by medications.

Visit your doctor to determine what treatment is available for your type of incontinence. You may also want to visit the association below for more information.
National Association for Continence
PO Box 8310
Spartanburg, SC 29305-8310
1-800-BLADDER (1-800-252-3337)
www.nafc.org

ElderStore® has a full line of absorbent products for persons with incontinence. They include a variety of designs such as pads with adhesive strips allowing for attachment to undergarments, protective underwear; drip collection pouches for men; and adult briefs and boxers. These products absorb urine leakage thus decreasing exposure to the skin from urine wetness and preventing urine from saturating clothing. They can be either disposable or reusable. Additional products such as underpads can be used to protect the bed and furniture.

Absorbent incontinence products are designed specifically to absorb and contain urine. Other products such as feminine hygiene products are designed to absorb blood, not urine. The advantage of using incontinence products is that the surface area is closest to the perineum. It contains a super absorbent polymer that absorbs any leakage preventing urine from contacting the perineum, which in turn will cause less skin irritation and rashes. Reusables are made of cloth material with a rayon or polyester fiber core that aid in urine absorption.