Latest News

Recently studies have shown that up to 20% of women report having quit their physical activities due to incontinence. Leaking due to exercise is an unfortunate symptom of incontinence, especially when pressure is placed on the bladder. As well as exercise, activities like heavy lifting and coughing can also cause symptoms. However, incontinence shouldn’t limit your ability to participate in activities and exercise. In fact, keeping healthy and exercising actually improve the symptoms of incontinence. So join us today as we discuss the best ways to get you exercising again, despite incontinence.

Don’t Wear Panty Liners

Panty liners are not going to properly address or contain your incontinence. You need to choose an appropriate incontinence pad to suit your level of leakage. Further, if your incontinence is a new development, it is important to discuss the issue with your doctor to find the cause, and see if anything can be done to improve the condition.

Choose Your Exercise Incontinence Pads

Many people find choosing the right incontinence product daunting. This can be due to embarrassment, uncertainty, and the concerns about what might happen if you wear an unsuitable, unsubtle or bulky product. However, researching for the right style and features for your activities can help you turn your exercise into a confident and relaxed activity!

Avoid Bulky Incontinence Pads

 Not all incontinence products have to be big and bulky! There are many versatile products on sites like Holistic Incontinence, offering pads that are both discreet and comfortable. When exercising, try to choose a pad in a small size but at the right absorption level for you.

Look for Close Fit Design

The best way to feel comfortable is to feel like your incontinence product is discreet. Modern incontinence products are designed to fit the male or female shape, depending on what you buy. This means they provide maximum security, while allowing your skin to breathe as well as preventing leakage.

Choose a Breathable Options

When exercising, you want to wear the most breathable material possible. The same is true when you choose incontinence pads for exercising. Not only is it more comfortable but it can help prevent a range of skin health problems associated with dermatitis and other infections.

Think About Absorbency

If you wear incontinence pads on a daily basis, generally those you need a more absorbent version for exercising. For example. If you use a normal absorbency pad during the day, you may need an extra or extra plus for exercising.

Exercising Properly

Stretching and weakening the pelvic floor increases the risk of bladder and bowel control issues. Further, high impact aerobic and resistance exercises are more likely to place a strong downward strain on the pelvic floor which, over time, stretches and weakens the pelvic floor muscles.

Unless you already have a strong pelvic floor, it is important to avoid high-impact exercises like skipping, running or jumping, or sports that require quick changes of direction. These cause a greater downward force on the bladder, risking leakage and further damage to the pelvic floor. Try swimming, cycling, walking, water aerobic or other low-impact exercises instead.

Further excessive weights or intense abdominal exercises like crunches and lunges can exert too much downward force on the pelvic floor, also causing damage over time. Always ensure you have the appropriate posture, stance and contraction of the pelvic muscles when lifting. Avoid lifting or any exercises that cause strain or cause you to hold your breath. Finally, when doing squats or standing exercises, keep your legs no more than shoulder width apart and avoid deep lunges.

Relax Your Pelvic Floor

No muscle in your body is meant to be held tightly all the time. This includes out pelvic floor muscles. While it is good to exercise them and squeeze them, but it is also important to let them relax and soften. Too much tightening of the pelvic floor without relaxing can cause excessive tension and pain, causing further issues.

Avoid Core Trainers

Modern core trainers are simply resurrected, modernised corsets. These days they are promoted for use during exercise to speed up waist-contouring and slimming. Many manufacturers claim that, by compressing the abdomen, a core trainer will “work around the core muscles, pushing them inward to achieve a slimmer waist while stimulating thermal activity, resulting in ramped up perspiration”. However, compressing the abdomen in this way forces the diaphragm high into the chest cavity, and the pelvic floor in the pelvic. This constant pressure puts additional strain on the pelvic floor increase the likelihood of incontinence or the increase in incontinence symptoms.

Explore the Holistic Incontinence range today to find the best incontinence products for your needs!

Incontinence is already a frustrating condition to work with at times. As a result, you want to ensure that you aren’t contributing to worsening your condition. While simple, unavoidable things like sneezing and coughing can bring on an incontinence accident, there are other lifestyle aspects that can affect you’re your incontinence. So join us today as we discuss the top 8 things that may worsen incontinence.

1: Allergies

While sneezing and coughing are unavoidable parts of life, allergy season can make incontinence responses worse. Sneezing and coughing can bring on an incontinence reaction, which is something the tens of million who suffer from both allergies and incontinence must keep in mind. Ensure you are always wearing appropriate incontinence protection during allergy season. Also ensure you speak to your doctor about controlling your allergies to prevent or limit the amount of sneezing and coughing you suffer from.

 2: Drink Water Throughout the Day

Incontinence can be brought on by drinking too much, too quickly. A full ladder increases the likelihood of incontinence. So ensure you space your fluid intake out throughout the day, and ensure that the majority of your fluid intake is water. This ensures you remain appropriately hydrated without feeling the urge to go to the bathroom constantly. Dehydration can also cause an increase in incontinence, by forcing you to intake an excess of fluid at once, causing incontinence, that then requires you to refill with fluids, creating a vicious cycle.

3: Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol is a well known diuretic. This means it will cause you to produce more liquid. In addition to this, drinking alcohol to the point of being drunk as this will reduce your ability to control your bladder muscles. It is best to aim to drink only one alcoholic drink – or, better yet, less – a day to reduce your risk of incontinence.

4: Avoid Caffeine

Caffeinated drinks, like alcoholic drinks, are diuretics. As a result, you should avoid them when you can.  Most coffee and tea based drinks have caffeine in them, but other foods and beverages also contain caffeine – including chocolate milk, chocolate bars, lollies, etc. As a result, you need to work hard to limit your caffeine intake.

5: Obesity

Being overweight or obese can affect your incontinence. In fact, being overweight often put pressure on your bladder, weakening the muscles over time. A weak bladder cannot hold as much urine, increasing the likelihood of incontinence.

6: Constipation

Bladder control issues can occur for those with long term or chronic constipation. Constipation and straining to have a bowel movement can out stress or pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles. This, in turn, weakens the muscles and can cause urinary incontinence or leaking. Further, an unemptied bowel can press down on the bladder, creating the constant urge to urinate or cause involuntary leakage. If you are suffering from constipation, contact your doctor for treatment.

7: Infection

An infection can also increase the rate of incontinence. Infections of the urinary tract and bladder may cause incontinence for a short time or worsen an incontinence condition. Bladder control can return or improve when the infection goes away. It is important, as a result, to always discuss an increase in incontinence or the sudden appearance of incontinence with your doctor in case you are suffering from an infection that can be quickly and easily treated.

8: Certain Medications Can Increase Incontinence

Urinary incontinence or an increase in urinary incontinence (if you already suffer from it) can be a side effect of some medications. This is especially true of diuretic medications, also known as “water pills” used to treat heart failure, hypertension, some kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis. The 4 top types of medication linked to urinary incontinence include:

1: Hypertension Medications

Alpha-adrenergic or alpha blockers used in high blood pressure medications work by dilating blood vessels to reduce blood pressure. However in some people these can also relax the bladder, causing urinary incontinence or increasing urinary incontinence. If you are taking an alpha blocker and are noticing urinary incontinence or an increase in urinary incontinence, it is best to discuss the situation with your doctor. Do not stop your medications without speaking with them first.

2: Antidepressants

Antidepressants are often an integral medication for much of the population. However, in some patients, they can worsen the symptoms of incontinence. Antidepressants can impair the ability of the bladder to contract, worsening overflow incontinence as the bladder cannot empty completely. Other antidepressants may decrease your awareness of the need to use the bathroom. If you feel your antidepressant is worsening your incontinence, it is important to discuss the situation with your doctor. Never stop a medication without speaking to your doctor first.

3: Diuretics

Also known as “water pills” diuretics work in the kidneys to reduce blood pressure by flushing excess water and salt from the body. It forces the body to make more urine. As a result, it increases the chance of incontinence or worsening an incontinence condition. If you need a diuretic, you often need to stay on it, so it is best to discuss with your doctor the best way to manage your symptoms better.

4: Sleeping Pills

10% of patients with incontinence actually wet their bed at night. However sleeping pills can pose a problem for those who suffer from incontinence at night. Sleeping pills stop people waking up, even when their bladders are full, making the chance of accidental leakage higher. It is best to try and limit your caffeine and practice healthy sleep habits so you can sleep without the use of sleeping pills where possible. Again, never stop any medication without discussing it with your doctor first.

While it is all too often the butt of a joke, incontinence is not just part of aging or motherhood. And it won’t just go away on its own. Incontinence is incredibly common and affects more than 5 million Australians, women, men and children included. But fewer than 1 in 3 people actually seek help for incontinence.

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is known as any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder or bowel motion or wind from the bowel. This can be anything from a small leak to the complete loss of control. However incontinence can be managed, treated and, in some cases, cured.

What Causes Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can be associated with a number of causes, including:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Menopause
• Paraplegia
• Profound disability
• Chronic conditions:
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Dementia
  • Arthritis

Faecal incontinence/loss of bowel control/accidental bowel leakage is associated with a number of causes, including:

• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Some surgeries
• Radiation therapy
• Constipation
• Severe diarrhoea
• IBS
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis

As a result it is little wonder that incontinence is a challenge for many Australians of all ages and genders.

Are You Incontinent?

If you’ve come to this blog you might already be suffering from incontinence or wondering if you are. If you are still researching your symptoms, consider these questions:

• Do you have to rush to the toilet?
• Do you sometimes feel you have not completely emptied your bladder?
• Do you wake up twice or more during the night to use the bathroom?
• Do you sometimes leak when lifting something heavy?
• Do you leak sometimes if you sneeze?
• Do you leak sometimes if you cough?
• Do you leak sometimes if you laugh?
• Do you sometimes leak before you get to the bathroom?
• Are you often nervous or worried because you think you might lose control of your bladder or bowels?
• Do you sometimes leak when you exercise or play sport?
• Do you plan your routine around where the nearest bathroom is?
• Do you sometimes leak when you change from a seated or lying position to a standing position?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then it is possible you have a bladder or bowel control problem. It is important you discuss the issue with your doctor to get a treatment plan in place so you can manage your condition. Further, treatment is available with lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, medication, surgery and aids including pads, guards and other incontinence aids.

The Most Common Form of Incontinence is Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is defined as leaking small amounts of urine during activities that increase pressure inside the abdomen and push on the bladder. It occurs often when coughing, laughing, sneezing, walking, lifting or playing sport.

Urge Incontinence

A sudden and strong need to urinate is known as Urge Incontinence. It is also referred to as unstable or overactive bladder. More rarely it is known as  detrusor instability. The cause of urge incontinence is not fully understood, however it seems more common with age. Symptoms appear worse with stress, caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol. It is also linked with strokes, Parkinson’s disease, MS, and other health conditions that interfere with the brain’s ability to send messages to the bladder via the spinal cord.

Chronic Retention Incontinence

This occurs when the bladder is unable to empty properly and frequent leakage of small amounts of urine occurs as a result. There are several causes for this type of incontinence, including:

• Urethra blockage caused by a full bladder
  • The full bladder puts pressure n the urethra making it difficult to pass urine
• An enlarged prostate
• A prolapse of pelvic organs that can block the urethra
• Damage to the nerves that control the:
  • Bladder
  • Urethral sphincter
  • Pelvic floor muscles
• Diabetes
• MS (multiple sclerosis)
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• Some medications (including herbal products)

Functional Incontinence

This occurs when a person does not recognise the need to go to the toiler or does not recognise where the toiler is. This means they pass urine or faecal matter in inappropriate places. Functional incontinence can be caused by:

• Dementia
• Poor eyesight
• Poor mobility
• Poor dexterity
  • Deteriorating fine motor skill making removing clothing difficult
• An unwillingness to use the bathroom caused by:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anger
• Environmental factors:
  • Poor lighting
  • Low chairs that are difficult to get out of
  • Toilets that are difficult to access

If you or a loved one are suffering from incontinence or you suspect incontinence is a problem, seek medical advice. Further, incontinence products are available online for easy – and discreet – purchase for all ages and concerns. Explore Holistic Incontinence’s range today.

For many men it can feel isolating to suffer from incontinence issues. Your bladder can seem to have a mind of its own. But you are not alone. Incontinence is common and treatable, as well as manageable. Thankfully improvements in incontinence garments have led to products designed entirely for men, including male guards. Let’s discuss them today and help end the embarrassment of male incontinence.

Male Incontinence and Male Guards

Many men find it embarrassing buying pads or tampons for their partner. So encouraging them to buy incontinence wear for themselves, in store, can be downright impossible. However today’s technology not only gives us the option of male-specific garments but also discreet, online ordering. Online sites, like Holistic Incontinence, also give you all the information you need depending on your unique situation, including absorbency levels, fit, and material type. Male specific incontinence products can be tucked into every day, close-fitting underwear and are ideal for discreet wear. This allows men to manage their condition without stress.

Types of Male Incontinence

Men can suffer incontinence from a range of different causes, including:

• Stress Incontinence that puts abdominal stress on the bladder
  • Laughing
  • Lifting
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
• Overactive Bladder (OAB) when the walls within the bladder contract uncontrollably
• Urge Incontinence when you have an involuntary loss of urine following a strong urge to urinate that can’t be stopped
• Overflow Incontinence which occurs when you urinate in small amounts too frequently or you have constant dribbles of urine
• Mixed Incontinence is seen as a combination of stress and urge incontinence

Muscles, Nerves and Male Incontinence

Muscles and nerves need to work together to hold urine until the time to release. As a result any injury, condition or disease can lead to urinary problems at any age. However the most common age is 40 and older. Diabetes, especially, can develop nerve damage that affects control of the bladder while nerve problems from stroke, Parkinson’s Disease or MS can also affect bladder emptying. But there are times when urinary incontinence occurs without an understandable reason. As a result, it is important to speak to your doctor to find the cause of your problem. Male guard protection can be effective in helping manage these incontinence issues.

Prostate Problems and Male Incontinence

A healthy prostate is the same approximate size of a regular walnut. This gland surrounds the urethra, just below the bladder. This gland also often starts to become enlarged in men over the age of 40. This condition is known as BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. As the prostate enlarges it can squeeze the urtethra, affecting the flow of urine. The most common symptoms are hesitant, interrupted or weak urine streams. Further symptoms include urgency, leaking or dribbling as well as frequent urination at night or urge incontinence. Managing incontinence can be made easier with a well fitted male guard, suited for your level leakage.

Managing Male Incontinence

Speaking to your doctor can give you a lot of options for managing your incontinence issues. There are some medication options to relax the bladder or shrink the prostate. Surgical options can also help. Non-surgical and medical options can include male guards for leakage, spacing fluid intake throughout the day and cutting back before bed. Limit alcohol, soft drink and caffeine intake as these can increase bladder irritation. Spicy, acidic, chocolate and artificially sweetened foods can also cause issues.

These techniques and solutions are all easier said than done, especially when dealing with continence care. However, with practice you can learn to manage your symptoms.

Track and Train Your Bladder

It takes planning and a lot of patience but if you stay persistent, you can train your bladder. For example, start by going to the bathroom ever hour, on the hour, even if you don’t feel an urge to urinate. After time, you can gradually space out bathroom breaks by a few hours. Track your fluid intake and how often your are visiting the urinal. Note any leaks you have and what food, drink or activity occurred before it. This documentation can help you track down the source of your incontinence if your doctor clears any medical conditions. Wearing a male guard to help with leakages in the mean time can also help with any accidental leakage.

Why do people with dementia become incontinent?

Unfortunately, it can be traumatic for all when a loved one becomes incontinent. However, sadly, it is a common symptom of dementia. Many find it is easier to manage if they are forewarned and know what to expect. So here are the symptoms of incontinence in dementia that you should be on the lookout for.

What is Incontinence?

Many on this blog already know what incontinence is but for any new visitors, incontinence occurs when you involuntarily leak urine or faeces or both. In the case of urinary incontinence, you may find you have a sudden urge to pee and need to do so frequently. As a result, you may not always reach the toilet in time. Whereas faecal incontinence is less common and can happen when you break wind or sometimes pass faeces without realising.

Why Can Dementia and Incontinence Come Hand in Hand?

When someone suffers from dementia there are many reasons why they can become incontinent, including age-related issues and others more specifically related to dementia. They can include the following:

Age-related Incontinence Issues:

• Prostate gland issues, common in older men
• Constipation, which can cause liquid faeces to slip around the impacted stool
• Urinary tract infection
• Medication side effects
• Pre-existing conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Dementia-related Incontinence Issues:

• Difficulty communicating toileting needs
• Forgetting toileting needs
• Damage to nerve pathways in the brain that involve bladder and bowel control
• Mobility problems preventing reaching the bathroom
• Struggling to recognise or remember where the bathroom is

When May Incontinence Occur During Dementia?

It is impossible to say exactly when a person with dementia may experience incontinence. However, in most cases, it occurs when the illness has considerably progressed. Incontinence can occur at any point depending on pre-existing medical or health issues.

The Emotional Effects of Incontinence on Dementia Patients

The issue of incontinence can be incredibly distressing for someone with dementia. They might feel frustrated, angry or embarrassed with themselves. This is due to the fact that incontinence is seen as a loss of control – we are taught to know and recognise when we need to visit the bathroom at a young age. As a result, it is normal and understandable for the person with dementia to feel all of these emotions. Further, dementia patients may try to hide the fact they have had an accident by hiding damp or soiled clothing without telling anyone.

The Emotional Effects of Incontinence on Carers

It is likely that as a carer, especially for a family member, your first experience with incontinence will likely give you a shock. It can be very upsetting and you can feel just as embarrassed by it all when it first occurs. Further, many carers report feeling sad that their patient or loved one is suffering such an indignity. Other report feelings of frustrations, especially if they have asked their patient or loved one several times if they need the bathroom, only or an accident to happen anyway.

But it is important to remember that incontinence is not their fault. In most cases it is simply a side effect of the dementia, so patience is the key. Further, getting angry or upset will only create more of an issue, so keep calm. Try to overcome your own embarrassment or distaste by adopting a practical, matter-of-fact attitude. While it is not pleasant for you or your patient, it happens and it needs to be dealt with.

There are a lot of ways to help prevent accidents or to make them easier to cope with. Visit our store today to find out more about incontinence products that might help manage the problem.

Incontinence, unfortunately, still remains an uncomfortable subject. And above all, the most uncomfortable topic of all is accidental bowel leakage or ABL. ABL carries a stigma that is harder to shake than urinary incontinence. As a result it is incredibly important dispel as many of these myths as possible. So today we are addressing the 4 biggest myths regarding accidental bowel leakage.

1 – Accidental Bowel Leakage Only Occurs When You Have Loose or Watery Stools

While it is true that diarrhea can cause a strong sense of urgency and can lead to leakage, there ware other factors that come into play. Constipation can also cause ABL. This occurs when a large stool becomes stuck and watery stools leak around it. If you suffer from regular constipation this can stretch and weaken the rectum, making it difficult for the body to hold stools long enough to make it to a bathroom. Further, any damage that has occurred to the muscles or nerves around the anus can cause ABL issues. This includes childbirth, diabetes, haemorrhoid surgery, MS, stroke, or even spinal cord issues. It is important to discuss any signs of ABL with your doctor, especially if you have had any of these procedures or conditions.

2 – Older People Are the Only Ones Who Suffer from Accidental Bowel Leakage

Yes, age can play a factor in ABL. However, leaking stools can happen to anyone, at any age, who has experienced muscle or nerve damage to the anus. ABL is more commonly seen in the older population, though, due to a natural increase in muscle and tissue elasticity. As a result, the body makes it harder to hold on to a stool.

3 – Accidental Bowel Leakage Isn’t Affected by Diet

In fact, diet can play a huge role in how – and if – you will experience ABL. Each person’s triggers are different. They can include (but are not limited to):

• Spicy food
• Fired or fatty food
• Caffeine heavy foods

Further, eating larger meals can sometimes have a negative effect on your body and your likelihood of ABL. The best way to track your triggers is to keep a bowel diary. This allows you to keep track of your food intake and your bowel problems. It will also help you see a trend in your eating habits that may lead to ABL.

4 – There’s Nothing I Can Do for Accidental Bowel Leakage

Actually, ABL can and should be treated. Your first step is discussing the issue with your doctor to set a plan in motion. This could include watching what you eat, getting proper exercise – including pelvic floor exercises – taking appropriate medications, and making certain behaviour modifications.

Further, surgery can help correct the issue, which is something that can be discussed with your doctor. However the most important thing is to remember you do have options. You owe it to yourself and your happiness to discuss these options with your doctor.

What is Accidental Bowel Leakage?

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) defines it as “the inability to hold a bowel movement until reaching a bathroom”. It is often associated with:

• Having solid or liquid stool leak when least expected
• Finding stool streaks in underwear
• Having difficulty holding a bowel movement
• Urgently seeking out the restroom in public
• Avoiding specific types of food

ABL is characterised by light to moderate leakage and is seen as a growing concern worldwide, particularly for the Baby Boomer generation. As a result, more and more research is being conducted to see what can be done to manage, reduce and treat ABL.

Causes of Accidental Bowel Leakage

There are a number of causes for ABL across ages. These include:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Haemorrhoid surgery
• Childbirth
• A history of straining to pass stools
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
• Spinal cord injury
• Rectal changes – from rectal cancer or other pelvic cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease causing scarring of the rectum
• Aging
• Episiotomy
• Gallbladder removal
• Medication side effects
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Rectal prolapse
• Rectocele – herniation of the rectum into the vaginal wall
• Parkinson’s disease
• Obesity
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• IBS
• Reduced physical mobility

There are treatments to help with ABL that can be discussed with your doctor. And there are products on the market to help with ABL issues. Explore Holistic Incontinence’s options today!

Adult incontinence products are now one of the fastest growing categories in the absorbent hygiene industry. Modern incontinence sufferers are not just the elderly. Incontinence can be caused by pregnancy, childbirth, diabetes, prostate, cancer, obesity, and menopause among many other issues. These issues, along with a rapidly aging population, has caused a growing market for adult incontinence products including pants, under pads, light incontinence pads, absorbent underwear and other similar products. This growing market has meant manufacturers have been challenged to develop new products to benefit this new range of consumers.

Modern Adult Incontinence Global Statistics

The data does not lie. Adult incontinence is the fastest growing category in retail and hygiene world wide. There were over $9.7 billion in adult incontinence hygiene products sales with the market expected to surpass $18 billion by 2020. However, these statistics do not necessarily mean an increase in the causes of incontinence. Rather, according to Svetlana Uduslivaia, the Global Head of Tissue and Hygiene Research, much of the growth is due to “consumer education, better understanding of incontinence and better consumer awareness of products available.”

Further, she acknowledges that the surge is driven by the expansion of product options, as well as online stores that specialise in adult incontinence. This type of innovation and product segmentation both increases market visibility and aids those in need. It also pushes manufacturers to produces better, more discreet products to push their visibility in the growing market.

Normalising Incontinence

For younger people, there is the stigma that incontinence is an issue for elderly people only. It is an issue for a number of conditions such as arthritis, and vision and hearing loss that are increasingly affecting younger generations. By normalising these issues, it not only eliminates the social stigma of incontinence but pushes brands to not only modernise the products but also their marketing.

Further, normalising incontinence allows for education, teaching consumers the right products to use as well as offering them a choice of appropriate products. For example, thinner products for active women with light bladder leakage. Manufacturers, as a result, have developed a wide range of products from liners, pads to underwear to cover all needs and situations, as well as protecting against leaks and odours.

Comfort and Discretion in Modern Incontinence Products

With the growth of incontinence products has come a demand from users for better functioning incontinence products. This has led to the development of incontinence products that offer protection, comfort and discretion. As a result, modern incontinence hygiene products have better absorbency and a softer feeling. Further, we can all agree that odour control is a highly important aspect of incontinence products. As such, modern incontinence products work to mask or neutralise odours. By helping to make incontinence products more comfortable and discreet, manufacturers are further aiding efforts to normalise the condition.

e-Commerce and Adult Incontinence Products

With the advent of online shopping, the category of adult incontinence products has seen an upswing. Online selection allows for discretion as well as better and more consistent product options and supply. Further, younger generations often find it easier to shop online than to locate the necessary products in a physical store, while homebound patients appreciate the convenience. Further, many people may research products online first before deciding on what to buy, so having product ranges available online is exceptionally important.

Incontinence and Men

While traditionally incontinence was seen as a feminine issue, and women do still make up around 75-80% of incontinence sufferers, men still make up a large portion of the incontinence market. Products specifically designed to work with male incontinence and male anatomy, rather than a single unisex option, means better support for all.

Young men, and young adults in general, can be particularly vulnerable when it comes to incontinence and other bowel issues. As incontinence rates rise across the generations, it is important to improve the experience for young men with continence issues and help them normalise their condition.

Global Incontinence for Young Adults

It is estimated that over 12.2 million young adults suffer from continence issues. However the continued stigma of the issue cause many to hide their symptoms and not access the help they need. Men are particularly vulnerable as there is less recognition of male continence problems. Surveys have shown that more than 50% of young adults would be uncomfortable discussing incontinence issues with relatives or friends and over two-thirds would be too embarrassed to see a doctor.

This issue is only compounded by a lack of early intervention avenues for young people, gaps in specialist services for children’s bladder and bowel issues, and a lack of specialist support during the transition from children to adult medical services. Further, healthcare staff often have little training in continence issues and have little awareness on the impact it has on young people.

Finally, over a quarter of young people believed that incontinence and bowel incontinence only affected the elderly. This lack of education and gaps in essential healthcare have created a wide-ranging impact on young adults, preventing them from accessing necessary medical intervention and creating a barrier in regard to social interactions. This is especially the case for young men.

Male Incontinence in General

While men are less likely to report continence problems – and the problems tend to be age related when the do – bowel and bladder issues affect men of all ages and at all stages of life. Further, male incontinence is often linked with prostate surgery, with 10-15% of men treated for prostate cancer experiencing persistent urinary incontinence. Studies show that many men used a mixture of devices and pads to meet their needs however there was an extreme lack of information and advice on how to use medical devices.

Incontinence Effects on Young Men

Research on continence issues in young men aged from 11-20 showed that the fear of embarrassment, bullying, stigma and lack of understanding meant that many went to great lengths to hide their bladder and bowel issues, leading to social isolation, distress, and leaving underlying conditions untreated.

The continued social perception that continence issues only affect young children, women and the elderly leads many young men to feel abnormal and misunderstood. Very few men ever tell friends and most admit that they hide it to some level and want few people, if anyone, to know. Many young men are too embarrassed to discuss the issue with their parents, partner or with a healthcare professional – especially with their parents or guardian present.

Further, those who do confide in medical professionals often experience with a lack of continuity of care or poor understanding of the wider impact of continence problems in their lives. They also lack a sensitivity in regards to their issues, especially during hospital admissions, with no say in what products are being used or say in who is informed of their condition.

Normalising Incontinence for Young Men

It is important to normalise incontinence for young men by remembering:

• Young people do have continence problems
• Many young people feel uncomfortable discussing continence issues with parents, carers and health professionals
• Young people may not want their parents or guardians present during the entirety of a consultation
• Many young people are competent enough to make their own decisions regarding managing their health and hygiene needs
• Young men are vulnerable due to a lack of knowledge regarding male continence problems
• Many young men may not access the help available due to the continued social stigma

You might be surprised to learn that drinking water actually has its benefits – yes, even when managing incontinence. Encouraging the consumption of water does sound a little odd, so let’s spend a moment looking at how much water you should drink each day, and the benefits.

 

Benefits of drinking water

We’ve heard for years that we should be drinking around 2L of water each day, which works out to be around 8 glasses. First of all, we need to clarify this rule. Perhaps it should be:

“The average person should consume 2L of water each day.”

The reason is because when you have a balanced diet, you will consume a fair amount of water without trying. Fruit and vegetables contain a lot of water, so an additional 8 glasses is overkill. With that in mind, experts encourage people to drink when they feel thirsty – there’s no need to force 2 litres of water down. After all, excess water won’t help with incontinence.

If you need help to drink more water, leave a water bottle on your desk – you’ll find yourself drinking without realising. Many people also find that flavouring water with lemon juice, for example, makes regular water seem less boring and more enjoyable.

 

Water replaces lost fluid

Every time you urinate or sweat, you lose precious water from your body – lose too much water and you will become dehydrated. You may notice that you are becoming dehydrated through a headache, the loss of energy and even darker, more concentrated urine. The more hydrated you are, the clearer your urine will be.

Dehydration can irritate your bladder, meaning that you will feel the need to use the bathroom more frequently. As mentioned just above, the more dehydrated you are, the more concentrated, and potent, your urine will be. Many sufferers of incontinence prefer to avoid stronger smelling urine to avoid attracting unwanted attention, so it’s beneficial to stay hydrated.

 

Water cleanses your body

Another advantage of drinking a good amount of water is the fact that it helps to flush your body of toxins and bacteria. This will help your kidneys stay healthy and operate the way they should.

 

Replace caffeine and alcohol with water

Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder in a similar way to being dehydrated, so, similar to what you have just read, cutting out or cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, and switching to water will help reduce the amount of trips you make to the toilet.

 

Avoid water before bed

While the production of urine slows down when you’re asleep, reducing water intake in the couple of hours before bed will limit the amount that you can lose during the night.

There are many benefits of drinking water, even when suffering from incontinence. You’ll be able to manage your condition and live a normal life with a number of items from the great Holistic Incontinence range. Take a look at what’s available in our online store.

To find the right product, speak with your GP or a member of the friendly Holistic Incontinence team.

A person can develop incontinence for a number of reasons. Pregnancy and childbirth are common causes, however, they are rather broad terms that don’t actually explain why a woman may become incontinent as a result of giving birth.

In this post, we will discuss the major causes of incontinence in expectant and new mothers.

 

1. A growing baby

As a foetus develops and grows in the womb, it will start to add pressure to various parts of the body. When the baby adds pressure directly to the bladder – no matter how full – urine has nowhere to go but out! Babies can become rather active in the womb, and a surprise kick or dance move to the bladder can cause even the smallest leak.

 

2. Stretched pelvic floor muscles

Your pelvic floor is vital in bladder control. The weaker your pelvic floor, more likely it is that you will lose control of your bladder; the stronger, the more control.

As a baby grows in the womb, it will stretch all parts of the body – including the muscles that make up your pelvic floor. You could expect these muscles to get weaker as the weeks pass.

If you are planning to have a child, you might like to consider exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, likewise during pregnancy, when it is safe to do mild exercise. It’s best to consult your doctor before starting.

 

3. A large baby

Following from the two earlier points, the larger the baby is, the more its size can affect your body. That’s not to say that women who give birth to a small baby will avoid incontinence entirely.

 

4. Giving birth

During a regular vaginal birth, as the baby passes through the birth canal, it can put extra pressure on (and damage) nerves, muscles and ligaments that control continence, such as the pelvic floor or the bladder sphincter.

Tears can increase the chances of both bladder and bowel incontinence, while a cesarean birth may reduce the odds of incontinence, but it doesn’t guarantee that a new mother will avoid the condition.

 

5. Laughing

Laughing, sneezing and coughing at any stage of pregnancy and in the weeks or months after giving birth can result in small leaks due to the reasons outlined above. The condition may be remedied with time and exercise, however, there are many cases where a woman will suffer from some form of incontinence for life.

 

6. UTI

A urinary tract infection is a common cause of incontinence generally. We won’t go into much detail here, but if you feel like you may have a UTI, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor to clear it up as soon as possible.

For more information regarding incontinence during pregnancy, or after giving birth, contact your healthcare professional. And for a range of products that can help you manage incontinence, take a look at the Holistic Incontinence range in the online store.

Don’t forget that we offer free samples, so you can be sure that a product is right for you.