Incontinence

and You-And Others

We are all born incontinent, without control of urinary or fecal elimination. There is a good chance, though it is not inevitable, that at some point in our lives we will experience it again. Millions of adults are affected. Whether the incontinence is due to stress, overflow or reflex control due to stroke, the options for incontinence management are plentiful. Today’s incontinence products are designed and engineered for fit and absorbency far surpassing the diapers we knew just ten years ago. Where the old diapers contained bulky cellulose for absorbency and plastic for fluid retention, today’s briefs and pull-ons employ polymers for moisture and odor control. Materials with a cloth-like feel are used manage heat--a major cause of skin breakdown. Here are some tips to select a good quality incontinence product which may be more cost effective. Measure the waist to make sure the fit is correct. Correct fit prevents leakage. Briefs are normally more absorbent than pull-ons. Nights may require a product with more absorbency than those used for daytime. In this case, briefs may be the better choice at night than pull-ons. Be willing to try different products until you hit the right combination. For caregivers, it is particularly important to check the skin to prevent skin breakdown. Cleanliness is very important, particularly in the perineal area. Mild soaps for gentle cleaning or personal wipes followed by a moisture barrier or skin cream is very important to maintain skin health.