Prevail Conversations Blog

Myth or Fact? The Truth about Incontinence: “Incontinence is a natural part of aging and is inevitable.”

MYTH!

Many people believe that urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging. Though it is somewhat common, it is not considered normal by medical experts. Incontinence is very manageable.

People (often Seniors) with urinary incontinence don’t always seek advice from professionals. They try to deal with the problem themselves but are not always successful. They may limit trips outside their homes and needlessly isolate themselves from friends and family. Falls and fractures are not uncommon as they race to a bathroom so as not to embarrass themselves by being wet. Other conditions such as urinary tract infections and skin breakdown are a result of poor management of incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging. To help, start by bringing up the subject with your doctor or a nurse. Once health care professionals are informed of a potential issue, they can pursue the matter in a tactful and helpful way. Many primary care practitioners already inquire about incontinence during patient visits. Tell them the truth about what you are experiencing. They have many ways they can help.

This web site has a number of helpful hints to manage urinary incontinence at home. Read this post from January 13th, 2010 for helpful hints about talking to your healthcare professional. You might also read the Jan. 5th posting about foods and beverages that can influence urinary incontinence. Kimberly Crew’s “Incontinence Product Overview” can guide you as to how to find the proper products to manage any difficulties.

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Myth or Fact: “Using a pad inside an adult protective underwear or brief gives me more protection.”

MYTH!

Bladder control pads (pads that stick inside your own underwear) have a polyethylene backing to assure that no urine leaks out from the back.  Polymer, the powder-like substance that absorbs urine, will also not drop out the back of the pad.

If a pad becomes saturated with urine, the overflow tends to come out the sides of the pad since the polyethylene backing prevents it from flowing through the back.  Since the pads are typically just as wide as wearable absorbent products, urine will flow out of the sides of the pad and onto one’s clothing, bypassing the secondary product.  The product will not be in the right place to absorb.

Pads are meant for light protection and should be worn in one’s own underwear.  They should be changed as needed.  If moderate or heavy protection is needed, switch to protective underwear or a brief by itself.  Check out the product selector on the prevail.com home page.  It has great information on choosing the right product for your needs.

Remember: When you have a pad inside of another absorbent product, the pad is all you have protecting you.

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There are a variety of incontinent products on the market today.  Determining what’s right for you or your family member can be challenging.  By understanding the levels of incontinence and function of the products available, you will have the knowledge to choose the appropriate product.

Products are broken down into levels of incontinence:

• Light is a dribble of urine, which often occurs during sneezing, coughing, laughing, and exercise.
• Moderate is feeling the urge to urinate but muscles can’t hold and often do not make it to restroom.
• Heavy is complete loss of bladder control.

Now that you understand the levels of incontinence, below are the types of products available.  Types of products range from being placed on objects to protect them, placed in personal underpants to full adult disposable protective underwear and briefs.

• Underpads are disposable pads that can be placed on chairs, beds, or other surfaces to protect against incontinent accidents.
• Pant Liners are designed to be worn in your undergarments.  They are designed for a very light dribble.  This can occur with sneezing, laughing, coughing and exercise.
• Bladder Control Pads range in absorbency from light to heavy.  They are to be worn inside your undergarments.  The pads length and thickness vary with the level of absorbency.
• Protective Underwear is designed for moderate to heavy incontinence.  They are to be worn as your undergarment and are disposable.
• Briefs are for moderate to heavy incontinence, including bladder and bowel.  The key factor with briefs is to have the correct size on.  Leakage can be a problem if a product is applied with the incorrect size.

All disposable products should be changed after each bladder void and bowel movement for infection control and recommended product usage.

Products are available for all levels of incontinence and personal preferences.  Understanding the levels of incontinence educates you to make the right product selection for your needs.

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Myth of Fact: “If I wear a product that is one size larger than I need, it will absorb better.”

MYTH

The fact is that briefs and protective underwear that are too large or too loosely fitting will leak more often than a well fitting product.  When loosely worn, products tend to fall away from the body allowing for leakage.  In addition, loosely fitting products tend to rub again the skin causing redness from the friction.  Well fitting garments will give you the best performance and prolong the life of the product.

To find the best size product for you, please use Size-Wise Guide.

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