What's the Best Way for Incontinence Protection

Urinary incontinence is one of the growing problems across of the globe, with as many as 12 million people being affected by it. Sudden actions like laughing and sneezing, which put pressure on the bladder, can also lead to some leakage.

However, when it is a persisting issue, it could lead to prolonged dampness in the private parts, which in turn could result in more serious health problems, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where temperatures are usually high, fostering bacterial growth.

The best means of incontinence protection is to use products that absorb the liquid and keep you dry. These products offer varying levels of absorbency and should be selected keeping in mind the frequency and amount of flow.

What are the Products Available?

• Pads and Liners: These are light weight and easy to remove and replaced. Basically, these pads are meant to be pasted with an adhesive strip on the inner lining of underpants to keep them dry. It is a great solution for the people suffering from light flow and come for both the genders. These are specifically designed to fit well.

• Belted Undergarments: You can use the pads with an undergarment that comes with a belt to be worn around the waist. It is exactly like regular underwear but designed to absorb bouts of incontinence.

• Protective Underwear: Re-usable underwear and pull ups fall in this category. They have moisture absorbing capability and provide protection against leakage. Once wet, they can be torn and thrown away, making the job of the care taker easier. It is very efficient is soaking liquids.

• Adult Diapers: Just like diapers for infants, disposable briefs or adult diapers are also available in the market that are applied from front to back instead of wearing the through the legs like protective underwear.

Factors to Consider While Buying

• Size: Product that offer incontinence protection come in a range of sizes to suit different types of needs. However, unless the size is a perfect fit for you, it will not be able to stop the leakage efficiently. Therefore, it is important to select a product according to your waist, hip and thigh size.

• Absorbency: Needless to say, this is your ultimate goal. Choose a product based on the severity of the flow. Also, consider what can offer the best protection at night.

• Gender: Believe it or not, these products are gender-specific and a unisex diaper may not offer the best results.

Urine Leakage & How to Get Rid of It

According to an article in Gulf News, published in June 2016, a study revealed that about 42 percent of the women above the age of 38 years in the UAE suffer from urinary incontinence. Of these, about 80% complained that their daily activities, including social and physical engagement, were affected by it. Most of these women do not seek medical help because they consider this situation to be socially embarrassing and the cultural barrier makes it worse for them.

Urinary incontinence, which is basically a medical condition in which the urine is leaked from the body accidentally, is very common problem affecting about 400 million women worldwide. This condition can be temporary or chronic and is more commonly found in women above the age of 50 years.

Urine leakage can be triggered by small activities such as sneezing and laughter but can be managed with proper information and guidance.

How to Manage it

• Take Care of your Skin: More leakage means that there could be greater risk of skin infections and rashes. Dampness from the urine makes the skin moist, which leads to the growth of bacteria and yeast. So, make sure you wash regularly with soap and apply a cream to keep the urine away. Avoid hot water, since it could increase the irritation level.

• Using the Right Absorbent: Using the right tools of protection makes it much easier to cope with this problem. You can opt for products like panty liners, absorbent adult briefs and reusable incontinence undergarments. The urine holding capacity varies across products, so make sure you check for absorbency before making a purchase.

• Odour Prevention: This is often one of the biggest concerns of incontinence. One way to prevent odour is by staying hydrated. However, it is important not to drink too much of anything, since it would lead to greater urine production and therefore leakage. To remove the smell from clothes, wash them with baking soda and apply deodorant a before leaving the house.

• Monitor the Urinating Patterns: Consumption of caffeine, acidic foods, alcoholic drinks and hot spices can irritate the bladder and force it to behave abnormally. So, monitor your urine patterns to understand the amount and frequency of the flow. There is a possibility that you feel the urge after specific intervals of time. Change your diet and lifestyle accordingly.

Things to Be Kept in Mind

• When you are at home, make sure that bathroom is always available.
• Wear clothes that are easy to remove.
• Remember to empty your bladder before going to sleep or leaving the house.

Urinary incontinence Caring tips

It is important to properly clean up after an episode of urinary incontinence. We suggest some ways to get it right.

Urinary incontinence is embarrassing – and messy! It often necessitates cleaning of the skin, apart from frequently changing one’s underwear and clothes. For caregivers, especially, episodes of incontinence are succeeded by cleaning up the person. This is an unpleasant task, but an essential one.

Not changing the soiled clothes on time and not cleaning the skin in contact with urine can cause rashes and infections. Even adult diapers and pads must be removed and replaced with fresh ones after a leakage has occurred. There are ways to clean up the person properly after an episode, such as:

* Remove the soiled clothes and diapers at once. When the person indicates that he or she has suffered a leakage, take them away to a private space and help them remove their clothes. Take away the soiled diaper or pad and dispose it off safely inside a plastic or paper wrapper. Put the soiled clothes in the washing machine. If possible, stock up on disposable underwear that can be trashed after use.

* Clean the person. Use a mild soap and warm water to clean the person. Use a special soap meant for the skin, and be sure to cover all areas where the urine has come in contact with skin. Leaving urine behind on the skin causes infections and rashes. Also, it tends to leave a strong odour on the clothes. Once the person is properly cleaned, dry the skin thoroughly with a clean towel. Help the person wear fresh clothes and diaper.

* If you notice a rash. Some people who suffer from urinary incontinence may develop rashes. These will appear like a patch of red skin or reddish spots in a certain area. Apply a mild moisturising or antiseptic cream to the skin, or if the irritation still persists, examine if the person is allergic to certain fabrics or soaps. Have a doctor examine the area if the rash does not subside over time, or if it increases in size.

* Keep yourself clean. Wear gloves every time you clean the person, and use towels or napkins to clean them. Sterilise the gloves every day before use to prevent spread of infection. Once you are done, clean your hands with a sanitising soap.

* Clean the furniture or beds. If the person has had an accident on the furniture, bed or on the carpet, you will have to strip these and clean them thoroughly. Urine leaves an odour behind, so the cleaning must be deep. Wash the carpet with a special shampoo and blot it dry with a clean cloth. Strip the bed and put the bed sheet in the washing machine, using an anti-bacterial detergent to complete the job. Stock up on fabric shampoos to be used at a moment’s notice.