Category Archives: incontinence Aids

Urinary Incontinence – Symptoms and Treatment

March 16, 2012

Urinary incontinence is a medical condition which involves loss of control over once urinary bladder, thus leading to urine leakage at odd times, and involuntarily. This problem is very distressing to patients because of the immense impact it can have. as our bodies age it is common for incontinence problems to occur as the bladder muscles start to weaken and are unable to hold in the urine as tightly as they could in the past. When the muscles start to weaken you may have dribble of urine throughout the day. This can be embarrassing to just about everyone that deals with it and it is why you need to seek out products that can make your life easier.

There are several types of incontinence symptoms including the following:

• Stress Incontinence – this is caused by increased intro-abdominal pressure. for most people it is not a lot of urine that is lost and it’s more like a little bit of dribble that comes out however the urine can escape quickly when pressure is applied. it can happen when you lift heavy objects and when the abdomen tenses abruptly. in severe cases stress incontinence could end up leading to surgery to repair pelvic floor muscles.

• Urge Incontinence – when you suffer from urge incontinence it is common to have an overactive bladder causing you to have uncontrolled loss of urine. Some people are able to quickly feel the urge to go to the restroom and make it in time while others may end up dribbling all the way to the restroom. the urge to urinate usually is sudden and happens without any type of warning. Urge incontinence cannot be prevented, only managed. When you try to hold back the urine, you may be unable to do so and it causes you to have extreme embarrassment and even leads many people to become homebodies as they are worried to leave the comfort of their own home where they can quickly get to a restroom. Some things like drinking soda and alcohol may worsen urge incontinence but others may experience it due to simple things like listening to running water and other things.

• Mixed Incontinence – this is when you have both urge and stress incontinence combined and it causes you to have an overactive bladder along with an under active urethra. most people experience incontinence when they are doing something physical like running but there are many who say they experience it without any type of warning whatsoever.

There are other types of incontinence but these tend to be the most common. Now that you know what you have, how can you treat incontinence? Urinary incontinence doesn’t need to be hard to treat and it can be done with dietary changes, exercise, and products like adult diapers or pads.

Start tracking the foods that you eat to see if urinary problems are worse when you eat spicy foods or when you have fruit juices and other drinks. Some fruits can cause you to have urinary incontinence problems as well like oranges and other citrus fruits. Sweets are another thing that may increase problems with incontinence. it is best to avoid caffeine along with chocolate because the caffeine causes an overactive bladder.

Exercise is needed to keep the body healthy and to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles so they will be able to hold the urine in the bladder. a physical therapist will be able to assist you in proper exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and to strengthen your bodies core as well to avoid other common ailments like back pain and helping you with balance so you can avoid falls.

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Surgery for Urinary Stress Incontinence May Make Incontinence Worse

February 10, 2012

Women who submit to surgery for urinary stress incontinence should be aware that they may be taking part in what may be nothing more than a large scale clinical trial. Countless women’s lives have been devastated by needless and ineffective surgery for urinary stress incontinence.

During both a TVT surgery (tension-free vaginal tape), and the newer TOT (transobturator tape), a tape is drawn under the urethra. the theory is that the tape will support the urethra so that under the ‘stress’ of sneezing, coughing, etc., it will eliminate the leaking of urine that women who suffer from stress incontinence are familiar with. these procedures are most definitely not risk-free and leave some women suffering more after the surgery than before.

In most continence surgery the benefit of restoring continence is often at the expense of developing new symptoms, or exacerbating existing lower urinary tract symptoms. This is from a study undertaken by the Department of Urology, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, Ireland, and documented in the National Institute of Health Sciences Bulletin, June 2004.

The first TVT was performed in Sweden in 1995. the TOT was introduced from France in 2001. the long term results of these surgeries may be catastrophic for women. Follow up studies are generally carried out within three years of the operation. Three years is not long enough to qualify as a long term study considering the life-span of women today.

Health services around the world are investing billions in solutions for urinary stress incontinence that may make the problem worse or create new problems. one recent hospital report states that 57% of women presenting for urodynamic evaluation over the course of the year had already had some form of pelvic surgery.

Urinary stress incontinence occurs due to a weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. There is a better way than surgery to correct most cases of pubococcygeal weakness Dr Arnold Kegel, TIME magazine, 3 Dec 1956.

The better way Dr Kegel, an American gynecologist, and Associate Professor of gynecology at the University of Southern California was referring to over 50 years ago is that of properly exercising the pelvic floor muscle against resistance. he was alarmed at the amount of pelvic surgery being carried out back in the 1940′s. Resistance exercise was a method he developed which reduced the amount of unnecessary pelvic surgery, and often greatly improved the sex lives of the women who practised it – a welcome side-effect for once Resistance exercise was found to be so much more effective than surgery in eliminating urinary stress incontinence in women that by 1950, routine surgery for urinary stress incontinence was no longer carried out in Dr Kegel’s hospital. the success rate of 93% that Dr Kegel achieved with resistance exercise in alleviating urinary stress incontinence far surpasses the success rate achieved with today’s ‘minimally invasive’ surgeries.

On the strength of these favorable results urinary stress incontinence in women is no longer routinely treated by surgical intervention at.LA County General Hospital. Dr Kegel (A progress in Gynecology 1950, p768).

Resistance exercise must not be confused with the nonsensical instruction to squeeze your pelvic floor muscles against nothing. This cannot prevent or alleviate urinary stress incontinence in the same way that working the pelvic floor muscles against resistance can. Just look at any fitness gym – any muscle toning is ALWAYS done against some form of resistance. Pelvic floor exercises were never meant to be done the way they are taught today. they were ALWAYS meant to be performed against resistance. It could be argued that anyone who instructs women to squeeze against nothing may contribute to the problem, as women conclude that pelvic floor exercises don’t work for them and opt for surgery as a result.

A ‘repair job’ can never be better than a woman strengthening her body to the degree that a ‘repair’ is unnecessary. A ‘repair job’ to alleviate urinary stress incontinence may cause more problems in the long term than it resolves. Both the TVT and TOT involve the formation of scar tissue to fix the mesh in place. It is often only a matter of time before the repair becomes ineffective as the weakness in the pelvic structure increases, and then the incontinence will eventually reappear. There may come a point after successive surgeries where no further surgery may be carried out. the woman may then be left permanently incontinent. Dr Kegel observed that scar tissue from previous surgery contributed to the failure rate of the few women who did not succeed with resistance exercise.

More doctors today are becoming aware that resistance exercise, not surgery, is the answer to the problem of urinary stress incontinence. as resistance exercise becomes more widely practised we can expect to see a significant reduction in the numbers of women suffering from urinary stress incontinence and from the after-effects of a surgery they may have been easily able to avoid.

A basic understanding of the value of resistance exercise would allow a woman to make a more informed choice about consenting to a surgery that may not be in her best long term interest.

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Male Incontinence Pants – Boxers or Briefs?

January 15, 2012

Manufacturers of incontinence products have spent most of their research time developing products that appeal to their biggest customers.women. However with the growing population of older men there is now a demand for male incontinence pants that are every bit as effective and comfortable as those made for women.

Manufacturers are responding to this new market by offering incontinence pants specifically designed for males by incorporating fabric and production advances made in women’s garments to produce underwear for men. These gender specific garments work well for any man with light to medium incontinence and when used in conjunction with a pad (also designed specifically for a man) can handle even the heaviest flow of urine. Regardless of the model chosen, the pant is designed to wick away fluid keeping the skin dry and lessening the chance for a rash to form.

Made of soft knitted polyester and incorporating the absorbency weave found in ladies garments, these pants look like ordinary underwear and are extremely discreet. They can be worn under any type of clothing without being detected. What’s more these pants come in both briefs and boxer styles to accommodate a man’s personal preference.

Men have the choice of disposable pants which offer the greatest convenience, or washable pants which offer the greatest economy. Disposable garments are easily tossed away after use while the washable version can be used repeatedly reducing the cost of the pant. And shopping for either style doesn’t have to be an embarrassing experience either. Many retailers offer these products online and they can be shipped directly to your home with no need to stand in line at a retail store.

If a man is uncertain of what kind of male incontinence pants is best for his particular situation, he should check with his doctor. Doctors who deal with this condition are constantly being updated with what’s new in the way of men’s undergarments and can make an informed recommendation.

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Incontinence Pants – Using Adult Disposable Diapers With Incontinence Pants

November 15, 2011

There is no single answer for the best way to manage incontinence, but many people find that a combination of adult disposable diapers and incontinence pants provides comfort, security, and freedom.

Disposables are made in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and sizes ranging from flat to contoured to fully shaped and fitted. the flat or contoured styles, which are the most common and easy to find, are variations of an absorbent pad which is wrapped around the body and fastened with adhesive tabs.

Disposables are also available as fitted pull-up briefs, which look very much like ordinary underwear. the outer layers of the garment are waterproof, and some brands feature a cloth-like non-woven layer on the outside for a more normal look and feel.

Some disposable diapers are designed to incorporate the use of a special absorbent pad, which can be removed and changed as necessary.

Advantages of disposables

One of the major advantages of disposables is that they’re easy to find almost everywhere. Major brands are carried by most grocery and discount store chains, and many chains also offer a store brand disposable. Disposables are also generally very affordable, and they give many people an opportunity to try using an incontinence product with a minimum of expense.

The convenience factor is a huge advantage for many people. Being able to simply dispose of a wet garment makes changing when not at home much easier, and this has literally given many people freedom to work, to travel, and to simply enjoy everyday activities.

Disposables are generally designed to provide protection for light to medium incontinence, and they are not designed for extended wear. however for some the use of an additional absorbent pad or liner inside the disposable works well; not only does the additional material help prevent leakage, the pad can be removed and changed without changing the entire garment.

Wearing incontinence pants over disposables can greatly diminish the possibility of leaks.

Disadvantages of disposables

For some people, comfort is an issue. Disposables may be bulky, and the absorbent disposable interior can be abrasive and irritating to the skin, especially when wet. the interior material also has a tendency to pull away from the waterproof outer layer and clump in the crotch area, especially when wet or during extended wear. This is not only uncomfortable, it greatly diminishes the level of leak protection because it leaves little or no padding in the front or back.

Putting on disposables that are fastened with tape can be very difficult or even impossible for people with limited mobility. Tapes may also fail, which results in a leaky, ill-fitting garment.

Pull-up protective disposable underwear solves those problems, but they are generally thinner than standard disposables and may not provide enough leak protection even when an additional liner product is used, especially if frequent changing is impossible.

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Hometown Station AM 1220 – Santa Clarita Radio – Bladder Wellness Center

October 17, 2011

WHAT IS a FEMALE BLADDER SPECIALIST?

In the modern age, doctors and patients have come to recognize the importance of specialization in specific parts or systems of the human body.  Cardiologists specialize in the heart, orthopedists specialize in bones, dermatologists specialize in skin.  But who specializes in the care of bladders?

The Bladder Wellness Center was founded by Drs. Michael Hyman and Philip Weintraub, both highly respected urologists in the field of bladder control.  they received their medical school education and residency training at the most highly respected institutions in the world.  And, with well over 35 years of experience between them, they have successfully helped thousands of women with bladder problems.  although many consider the “urologist” as a male version of gynecology, the reality is that urologists are specialists in the urinary tract regardless of gender.  The Bladder Wellness Center was developed specifically to address problems that women experience in bladder control.

Women of all ages can experience a wide range of problems when it comes to bladder function, from childhood to the latest stages of life.  The most common conditions they can experience are 1) loss of control, a condition we call incontinence and 2) frequent and urgent urination, a condition we call overactive bladder. Incontinence can be mild, requiring a thin panty-liner for an occasional few drops with laughing, sneezing or coughing.  on the other hand, incontinence can be severe, requiring many thick pads each day, or even pull-up diapers.  Similarly, there is a wide spectrum of severity when it comes to overactive bladder.  some women think they have developed a small bladder that forces them to make increasingly frequent trips to the bathroom.  More likely, however, they are suffering from overactive bladder, which can progress to the point where they urinate every hour or more.  The condition can be particularly disruptive at night, when she is awakened every hour or more to make trips to the bathroom.  Again, while this is a problem that can affect women of all ages, it can be particularly concerning for those over the age of 60, when bones become thinner and falls during those night-time runs to the bathroom could lead to devastating consequences, such as a broken hip.  The spectrum of severity with overactive bladder can lead to intense urge to get to the bathroom quickly and in some cases, this can be one of the many causes of having accidents.

WHY DON’T WOMEN GET TREATED?

Because bladder conditions tend to develop gradually, women tend to tolerate their symptoms for longer periods of time than if, for example, they developed a severe loss of bladder control virtually overnight.  More than men, women have developed a sense of greater tolerance when it comes to “conditions of daily life”.  they have been through menstrual cycles with a tolerance for cramps and bleeding; pregnancies, giving birth, and for many, breast feeding; and menopause with all its associated symptoms.  a man never has to experience such life conditions, so he is less likely to put up with them.  But women start leaking when they laugh or cough and they think, “looks like I’ll have to pick up some panty-liners”.  They’ve been down that aisle at the drug store-it’s not unfamiliar to them.  And, they figure, it’s a “normal” part of aging, a factor that couldn’t be further from the truth!

When it comes to women seeing their primary doctors, both doctor and patient are rightfully focusing on the major conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  The doctor asks questions like, “do you get short of breath when climbing stairs”, not “how many times do you urinate at night?” or “do you wear pads for bladder control?”  It is interesting to note that when a man sees his primary doctor, those questions actually do come up because both have legitimate concerns about the prostate, which can interfere with bladder function and can be a sign of trouble.  But for women, bladder conditions are usually swept under the rug.  When it comes to a true physiologic understanding of the condition, primary doctors have not always kept up.  For example, many erroneously advise their incontinent patients to perform pelvic muscle exercises, known as kegels, which studies have shown have almost no chance of curing the condition.

Probably the most common reason women avoid having their bladder conditions addressed is embarrassment.  even among friends, they are often reluctant to discuss their conditions, particularly when it comes to loss of control.  For women, the appearance of youthfulness is obviously very important in our society and few things can make them feel older than the need to wear absorptive pads for loss of urine.  even worse is the reality that one never knows if their pads will fail, either due to movement of the pad in their underwear, or overwhelming the pad with too much urine.  nothing will make her more inclined to stay home than an embarrassing experience like having a wet spot on her clothes in public, whether among friends or in a professional work environment.  even when discussing problems with her personal physician, she may neglect to mention her bladder issues because of embarrassment.

For more information or to book your appointment, you can call Dr. Michael Hyman and Dr. Philip Weintraub at 1-866-977-1999 or visit their website bladderwellness.com.

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Prostatectomy: Its Risks and Complications

September 13, 2011

Prostatectomy is a surgical process where all or a part of the prostate gland is removed because of cancer. there are several processes you can choose from when deciding for Prostatectomy: Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), Open Prostatectomy and Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. one must know that medical studies have shown that there is no specific treatment that could cure prostate cancer. if you are someone willing to take chances, you must be aware of what life is after Prostatectomy.

Like any other invasive treatments, Prostatectomy has surgical risks. It may not have a high percentage of fatality though most patients are in serious risks of having the following complications:

  1. Deep Venous Thrombosis or blood clot in your legs. this condition occurs when your blood thickens that begins to clot in the veins of your legs. Patients who have high risks of thrombosis usually take blood-thinning medication after the surgery.
  2. Hernia. After your surgery, you are not allowed to lift or do straining exercises or chores that could damage the new connection created in your urethra through your bladder. damage anastomosis could create new problems that lead to long term complications.
  3. Infections like UTI. You are at high risks of getting infection in your incision and through the catheter use while recovering. to avoid doing so, you must keep the incision clean.
  4. Possible impotence and incontinence that could be long term or irreversible. After the catheter is removed, most patients experience leakage or incontinence. most doctors will tell you that it is just temporary though some patients never recover from being incontinent. at times, even after recovery, other patient’s lose the ability to have erections. Your sexual life will completely change after.

For someone who is told of having prostate cancer, your main goal is to treat the disease regardless of the risks and complication. Try not to blind yourself from something far better if you open your doors to possibilities besides conventional treatment such as Prostatectomy. are the complications worth it with something for a fact could never be treated? Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, most often than not, if you let the cancer be where it is, there is less possibility that it will not metastasized. this is a major decision to make where there is no turning back. Try to balance the pros and cons of what Prostatectomy could offer to you. In the end, it is you who will embrace the consequences of the decision you have made, not your doctors.

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Where can I find cloth incontinence briefs in Fairbanks, Alaska?

September 12, 2011

Does anyone know of any pharamacies or stores that supply cloth incontinence briefs and plastic pants for adults?

Order them online & they will be mailed to you. Shop around on the internet for the best prices.

You might try Blueberry Baby. They may have some postpartum pads or briefs that would work for incontinence as well.

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Can Urinary Incontinence in a dog be something else?

September 8, 2011

they did the test on him and something about specific gravity. Can't he just be lazy and not peeing outside enough be the reason for his accidents in the house?
12 year old, boxer/shepard mix.

He is 12 years old, getting a bit incontinent, happens to people too and has nothing to do with being lazy.

Not lazy. he may be in pain and not want to walk outside. Many older dogs have arethritis. It's a condition that people get also and your joints hurt from it. so you can treat that, ask your vet about pills for it (ps. Dogs can't have tylenol!) back to the urinary incontinence, yes it's a real problem also more common in older dogs too. Older dogs are like people as I said. As they age, there will be more problems but if you manage them early on it's easier on everyone. There are ways to manage incontienence. you can get doggie diapers but remember they must be changed often to prevent urine and skin infections. Or you can confine your dog to the kitchen when you aren't around to supervise him and keep the floor covered with newspaper. Incontinence not only means the dog can't hold it but also means they may not even be aware when they do let go.

So what you are really asking is: "is it OK to disregard a vet's diagnosis, backed up by a laboratory test, and make my own diagnosis of 'laziness'?"

Neh.

Urinary incotinence is health related. It is not because the dog is "lazy". That's simply ridiculous. he can have diabeties, thyroid issues, kidney stones etc.

Take the dog to the vet and find out what's going.

I'm guessing they said is specific gravity was low. That can be a sign of renal (kidney) problems. Request blood work be done to check is kidney function (specifically a BUN). Renal failure can cause incontinence as they tend to drink more water and produce more urine. Male dogs can also suffer from hormone incontinence just like females can it is just less common so if he is neutered and all other problems are ruled out that may be the problem. Hormone incontinence can typically be resolved or at least improved with Proin.

BMThespian gave great information. you need to have bloodwork done. I lost a dog to kidney failure and it came on fast and it killed fast. BUN and Creatinine are the kidney values to examine with the bloodwork.

Another thing that rings a bell for me is Cushing's Disease. Bloodwork shows an elevated Alkaline Phosphatase level. this is a condition caused by over production of cortisol and typically caused by a tumor (can be malignant or benign) on either the pituitary or adrenal gland. Dogs with Cushing's are typically elderly, drink (and may eat) excessively, have a potbellied appearance, poor and thinning hair-coat, seek out cool places to rest, and urinate frequently (due to the excessive drinking). if you haven't had bloodwork done, please consider it.

A low specific gravity of the urine means that there is something going on in the body that doesn't allow the urine to concentrate. There are many causes, but kidney problems are very high on the list.

I'll include a link that addresses polydipsia (excessive drinking) and polyurea (excessive urination). It is authored by a vet and will give you some good information to start your research and list of questions for your vet. I really don't think your dog is being lazy–he is older and can't help it.

Add: here is a great site with information on Cushing's Disease. The person who put up the information had a boxer and shows photos of how her dog looked. you may find it of interest as well since you have a boxer mix: kateconnick.com/library/cushi…

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Are Washable Bed Sheets The Answer To Bed Wetting?

September 7, 2011

Incontinence is a common problem that affects 7% of men and 14% of women in the UK. it is characterised by leakage of urine at any time. it may be light, moderate or severe. Urinary incontinence may be caused by childbirth, aging or by surgery. Night time incontinence is as embarrassing and uncomfortable as daytime incontinence. A study shows 2% of adults have a lack of control over urination during sleep. If you face night time incontinence problem, washable bed sheets can give you the best solution.

High quality washable bed sheets absorb up to 3000 ml. Therefore, they help to prevent your bed from wetting. they also keep you dry and comfortable. the integrated waterproof backing and absorbent pad lets you sleep comfortably throughout the night. they are available in single and double bed sizes, so you can choose the one that suits your bed well. they feature fabric wings that help you tuck them underneath mattresses. you can wash them and reuse them, so they are the cost effective solution to your bed wetting problem. they also boast of non slip waterproof backing. they have a dry layer that is comfortable and you can enjoy ultimate peace of mind.

Washable bed sheets are also available with a separate backing sheet. they absorb large quantities of urine, keeping your skin dry. you can therefore sleep undisturbed for several hours. you need to ensure that your skin is in direct contact with the top surface of the pad, so that urine passes through this sheet to the next layer. Waterproof backing in the third layer prevents bed from getting wet. This may also be covered with a high quality fabric on a separate sheet. These sheets are designed especially for restless sleepers. it is important to wash these bed sheets properly, so that you avoid skin irritation, infections and other health problems.

Washable bed sheets offer numerous benefits. they provide great relief from the trouble of disposing and re-ordering bed pads. as they have higher absorbent capabilities, you need not worry about bed wetting. some high quality sheets can absorb a lot of liquid, so you can enjoy a full night’s sleep. If you wash them with care, they last for a long period of time. If the sheet is dry in the morning, you can use it again without washing. the sheet is made of lightweight, yet durable fabric that gives you ultimate comfort.

There are several washable bed sheets available in the online store. it is therefore important to choose the most suitable one. you can check the width, length and thickness of the sheet before buying it. Large sheets are difficult to handle during laundry. however, if you suffer from heavy incontinence, you can go for larger sheets. Bed sheets that feature cotton or poly cotton top sheet can help you feel more comfortable. Polyester sheet can also keep your skin dry. Hence, it is advisable to choose the product according to your individual preference. it is however crucial to ensure that the material is soft and durable so that you feel comfortable and can sleep.

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I have incontinence and am interested in trying the penis clamps. Does anyone have any experience with them?

August 27, 2011

I have/had prostate cancer and had a radical prostatectomy. I now have incontinence and am looking for something better then diapers. I see a system that allows urine to be ported to a storage bag and penis clamps. any suggestions?

Go to the site listed below and you will get much information. the man who invented the newest clamp is in my support group.

Email me and I can get you in contact.

The second site listed is the better clamp.

u ****** just have sex u ****

u want ur dick to look like a plan k of wood !!!

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