Living with incontinence? You’re not alone. It’s thought that millions are affected by incontinence, both men and women. Yet even though incontinence can affect people of all ages, many of us are too embarrassed or uncomfortable to talk about it.
However, it’s only by talking about it that we can better understand how to live with incontinence. Speaking with your doctor should be your first step, and while it may feel awkward this will ease over time.
But, what is incontinence, and what are the best ways to manage it? Continue reading this guide to better understand the condition and find a range of solutions to not only keep on top of it, but to live your best life.
If you’re only just beginning to find out what incontinence is, this guide from Complete Care Shop will provide the guidance you need to better understand the condition and how to live with incontinence.
Incontinence is a condition characterised by the loss of full control over bladder or bowel function. It means that a person has difficulty controlling when and where they pass urine or faeces. This can result in involuntary leakage or accidents, which can impact daily life.
Incontinence can manifest in different ways, depending on the type and severity. It can involve leakage during activities that put pressure on the bladder, sudden and strong urges to urinate that lead to leakage, an inability to fully empty the bladder, or challenges in reaching the toilet due to physical or cognitive limitations.
Though it may present some challenges, it’s a very common condition and can be well-managed by planning ahead and using incontinence aids.
You may be surprised to learn that there are lots of different types of incontinence that can affect people, including:
Perhaps because many of us are so reluctant to talk about incontinence, there are a lot of myths out there that simply aren’t true. Here we debunk some popular misconceptions.
In reality, you can make your incontinence worse by not drinking enough, as this can cause bladder irritation.
What could be contributing to your incontinence is the type of drink you’re having, as too many caffeinated drinks, alcohol or some fruit juices can be irritating to your bladder. If in doubt, it’s usually better to drink water for hydration.
You don’t have to accept incontinence as a part of getting older and shrug it off. Incontinence can have many different causes, so it’s always important to speak to your doctor as they will be able to offer you help and support.
Sanitary pads are designed for use during your menstrual cycle, they’re not designed for use with urine. ou’ll likely end up feeling very uncomfortable and irritated. You should always use incontinence pads or pants as these are specially designed to deal with urine.
This is not true. There are lifestyle changes you can try and treatment options available, depending on what type of incontinence you have. The key thing is to speak to your GP who can help you out.
There are also a variety of incontinence products that will help you go about your day in confidence, knowing you’re protected against leaks.
You are not alone in experiencing incontinence and there is help and support out there. Incontinence can affect your mental health as well as your physical health, which can have a knock-on effect on all areas of your life.
You are not alone. Please speak with your GP for help and support with incontinence.
Incontinence can be managed effectively when you know how to best keep on top of it, so take a look below for our tips on how to live with incontinence:
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can all irritate your bladder, so try to reduce the amount of these you drink. Cut them out altogether, if possible.
It can be incredibly stressful to urgently need a toilet and not know if there’s one you can use nearby. There are free apps available for Android and Apple phones that can tell you where your nearest toilet is.
The RADAR National Key Scheme lets those with a RADAR key gain access to locked public toilets, like those found in places like shopping centres or train stations. It’s small enough to carry with you and you can get a version with a larger head to make it easier to turn.
These free “Just Can’t Wait” cards are available from the Bladder & Bowel UK charity to help you get access to a toilet. They’re supported by many retail and service organisations, so if you show the card to staff at these organisations, you’ll be allowed to use the toilet.
We’re all aware of the damage that smoking can do, but did you also know it can irritate your bladder? If you smoke, consider quitting or at least reducing the amount you smoke.
Make a note of when you go to the toilet or have an accident. It can help you to see any patterns around your urination and what might affect it. It can also be helpful information to have to hand when you speak to your GP.
Some incontinence wear uses a droplet method on their packaging to indicate absorbency – the more droplets are filled in, the more absorbent a product is. Others will state in the product description how many millilitres of urine they can absorb.
There’s a variety of products available to help if you’re living with incontinence and these are improving all the time as more people come forward and share their experiences.
Depending on your level of incontinence, your personal preference will depend on which of these will suit you best. There are incontinence liners, incontinence pads and incontinence pants available to suit all needs, whether you only have light incontinence or are dealing with heavy incontinence.
Whether you find it difficult to reach the toilet in time, travel a lot and can’t always find a toilet, or want to monitor your output, a urinal bottle might be just what you’re looking for. There are versions designed specifically for men, for women, or you can get unisex urinals as well.
If you’re prone to Nocturnal Enuresis, you may want to consider waterproof bedding to help protect your mattress and sheets. This type of bedding is usually machine washable or can be wiped clean. The bedding comes in a variety of sizes and there are even sheets available for king-size beds.
Incontinence can be hard and irritating on your skin. Incontinence wipes are designed to soothe irritated skin, keep it clean, and help to keep infection at bay. They’re especially useful if you find it difficult to get out of bed and need to clean up after using a bedpan or urinal.
If you have any more questions about what incontinence is and how to live with incontinence, we will be more than happy to help you with any questions you have.
If you need help deciding if a particular aid is right for you, consider getting in touch with our Expert Advice Service where one of our occupational therapists will be able to advise you. For any other queries and support, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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