10 June 2020
People of all ages can experience difficulty with their continence, but many find it a difficult topic to discuss.
In many cases, it’s possible to regain some control over your bladder or bowel with lifestyle changes such as cutting down on caffeine or alcohol,[1] but there are also many continence care products to give you peace of mind if you do experience difficulty at home or when out and about. Complete Care Shop offer a range of discreet incontinence pants, pads and waterproof covers to keep both you and your furniture dry and comfortable.
If you experience incontinence at night, waterproof bedding and washable bed pads can offer protection for you and your mattress. A mattress protector or waterproof bed sheet, such as a waterproof fitted double sheet, is ideal to protect your mattress from leaks and increase its life whilst maintaining comfort during the night.
Disposable bed pads are placed on top of the bottom sheet in your bed and absorb any spills or leaks during the night to keep you dry. They have a waterproof backing to prevent the spread of liquid onto the bed and protect your bedding and mattress. Incontinence pads and pants can be used in conjunction with a bed pad if you need further protection.
If you experience urinary incontinence, pants and pads can give you the confidence to get out and about, putting your mind at ease if any leaks do occur. Pads and pants are both available in different absorbency levels and styles which are designed for your comfort and discretion. It's important to get the right absorbency level for your unique needs.
Incontinence pants, such as the TENA Pants Plus, include a built-in absorbent pad and are designed to look and fit like regular pants. They quickly absorb liquid and feature an odour control system to keep you dry and fresh for longer.
Most pants are supplied in multipacks and available in different sizes so you can find a pack that is most suited to your needs. If you need to use pants and pads regularly for incontinence it’s important to seek advice from your doctor.
Incontinence pads are available with different shapes for men and women and fit into your underwear to help you stay comfortable and dry when you experience leaks.
If you frequently experience incontinence it is important to look after the skin on your lower body, as it can cause irritation. A barrier cream creates a moisturising layer over your skin which protects it from soreness caused by incontinence. Please note that barrier cream should be used sparingly with pads and pants as using too much can cause the cream to be absorbed into the pad or pants, reducing their effectiveness.
One of the best ways to prevent or reduce incontinence is to do regular exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. The NHS recommend the ‘clench and release’ exercising of the pelvic floor muscles.[2] Performing 10 to 15 of these clench and release exercises daily is a great way of strengthening the muscles to prevent accidental leakage, and it can be beneficial to increase the amount of times you do this exercise after a few weeks. The great thing about these clench and release exercises is that no one knows you are doing them, so you can do them wherever!
Simple and healthy lifestyle changes, such as drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and consuming food that is rich in fibre can also help to reduce incontinence. Reducing your intake of caffeine, alcohol and stopping smoking are also worth considering for better bladder control.
You can view our extensive range of continence care products to find the right product for your needs.
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/treatment/
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/womens-health/what-are-pelvic-floor-exercises/
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