Urinary Incontinence: Understanding Options That Don’t Require Surgery

Urinary Incontinence may be something that you don’t want to talk about with your friends and family, but it is a concern that should be brought up to your doctor. Being unable to hold urine can drastically affect your life, including your mental state, career, and social life. Some women experience Urinary Incontinence while pregnant or following delivery, and other men and women have trouble holding urine when laughing, sneezing or doing other daily activities. You may not want to exercise as much, or you try to hold all of your coughs in. Urinary Incontinence affects millions of people, and there are various treatment options available without resorting to surgery.

One treatment for Urinary Incontinence is doing strengthening Kegel exercises. The best part of Kegel exercises is that they can be performed from anywhere and are discrete, so it may be easier to add them to your routine. Kegels “involve squeezing and releasing the muscles that you use to stop urinating.” A professional that specializes in pelvic floor strengthening can work closely with you to strengthen areas that contribute to Urinary Incontinence. Besides Kegel exercises, you may also want to try teaching your bladder to gradually hold urine for longer amounts of time by sticking to a schedule.

Certain medical devices may also help with Urinary Incontinence. Electrical stimulation could strengthen associated body parts, as well as magnetic stimulation. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) involves a small needle sending electrical waves to the tibial nerve, which is involved with the ability of the bladder to hold urine. While electrical stimulation can be done at home with a device, magnetic stimulation and PTNS must be performed at a doctor’s office.

woman in pink exercise outfit doing pelvic exercises on mat in a studio

Medications can also help reduce Urinary Incontinence. For women, adding estrogen to the body may reduce leakage.  Based on scientific evidence, Pelvic Floor Muscle Training was the most successful option for treating Urinary Incontinence. It is very important to maintain the recommended amount of Kegel exercises each day and to keep up with it. This may be the most appealing option, too, because they can be done at any time, have no known side effects, and the exercises themselves do not affect the wallet. Being committed to alternative options for treating Urinary Incontinence may help to avoid surgical procedures.

If you have any questions about any of the incontinence products we carry that can also be beneficial, please contact us or give us a call today, and one of our Product Experts can help you narrow down what your specific needs require.

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Autism, Incontinence, and Traveling

Caring for a child with autism comes with its own set of challenges and those can vary greatly due to the severity of their condition. Many children with autism have no problems with incontinence, while others may experience involuntary control of bowel movements and urination. This may happen because an autistic child is unable to communicate effectively or they are distracted by other stimulating activities. When you introduce the concept of traveling with an autistic child that suffers from incontinence, it may sound overwhelming, however, there are effective ways to manage it.

Characteristics of Autism

First, let’s explain autism in its most basic form.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) usually appears when a child is very young, typically between the ages of 2 and 3. They begin to show signs of repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication are delayed, and they lack in the development of social skills.

Some of the characteristics of autism, but are not limited to are:

  • Repetitive behaviors such as body movements or actions
  • Difficulty playing with other children or holding a normal conversation
  • Taking an unusual interest in certain objects
  • Overreacting to one or more of the 5 senses (touch, sight, smell, taste, or hearing)
  • Underreacting to one or more of the 5 senses

Incontinence in Children with Autism

father carrying his upset child with autism on his shoulderSince children with a disability such as autism may be distracted easily and for longer periods of time, they may “forget” to use the bathroom. Because of their delayed speech and language development, they often are unable to effectively communicate their need to voluntarily void. With the many challenges that children face with autism, it is easy to understand that incontinence can be one of them.

Research has also shown that children with autism experience more stomach problems and are more likely to have diarrhea and constipation. The pain associated with gastrointestinal (GI) issues can lead to disruptive behavior. Children on the autism spectrum often have restricted diets that can make constipation more likely. They may also not remember to drink plenty of fluids or feel anxiety in restrooms.

You may already be exhausted from making sure there aren’t any sensory triggers present for your child, accident preparation, and being as patient and supportive as possible. If you have travel coming up, you might be starting to feel the stress of it all and wonder if it is even possible.

Traveling with Incontinence and Autism

Traveling can be manageable when you have a child with ASD and incontinence. It might seem overwhelming at first, but there are several things that you can do to prepare and make everyone’s experience more enjoyable.

Start Planning Early

A child with autism may be able to sense the stress in others and this may set off their emotions. The earlier you start planning the trip, the less stress you’ll exude as you are walking out the door. Getting your child involved with the planning and packing could aid in them not feeling that something is happening that is far out of their routine when you are ready to leave. It would be wise to prepare to expect the unexpected and this may help avoid anxiety or a sudden outburst.

If you are traveling in a vehicle, make sure you are aware of acceptable restrooms along the way to your destination. Download an app on your phone such as Sit or Squat or Flush to make the process less cumbersome.

Try Role Playing

You might even try to role play some of the experience with your child before traveling. If you are flying, setup a mock security checkpoint for them to walk through. You might take a longer ride in the car while staying in your local area for them to get used to being in the care for a length of time with their seatbelt secured. Take them to the store with you frequently to get them used to standing and waiting in lines.

Pack the Essentials

assortment of incontinence products for childrenIncontinence doesn’t have to be difficult to manage while traveling if you pack the right supplies. If you are keeping your child with autism distracted in the car, they may not realize they have to use the bathroom until it’s too late. There are many incontinence products that are effective for all levels from leaking to full voids.

Boy’s and girl’s potty training pull-ups are a great option for leaks and heavy absorbency diapers work well for locking away liquids and provide maximum protection. It’s also a good idea to line the car seat or seat material with an underpad for added protection. This will help to prevent anything from getting soiled or wet. There are a variety of other products to choose from that might help in times of need.

A few other items to pack are disposable bags, hand sanitizer, wipes, and a change of clothing that is separate from your already packed luggage. For a quick list that might be helpful, we’ve put one together for your convenience.

Packing list for traveling with an autistic child

Schedule Frequent Breaks

A child with autism and incontinence can often get emotional and agitated when they are tired and/or bored. Scheduling plenty of stops along the way to use the restroom and take a break might help with your child’s mood and can also be a short pause for fun. Make sure to follow the verbal and non-verbal cues from your child and try to be as flexible as possible with your travels to accommodate their need to take more rest stops than you might have originally planned.

boy in a cape and sunglasses raising his fist to the clouds as he pretends to be a superheroTraveling with an autistic child that has incontinence doesn’t have to be a difficult process if you plan well in advance for the unexpected. Make sure you take plenty of pictures to capture the entire experience so your child can reflect back and observe how well they managed on your travels together. Remember to be flexible and stay positive so everyone can have a great trip.

For any questions on the incontinence products we offer, our Product Experts are just a phone call away and ready to help.

And, for even more resources for traveling with an autistic child, visit the sites below:

TSA Disability Travel Card

Top-Selling Incontinence Products

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Healthy Living: Staying Active Over the Holidays

woman's calves with pink gym shoes walking on a pathMaintaining healthy living over the holidays may be challenging for some people. The holidays are about celebrating with our families and that usually involves a lot of food, sugary beverages, desserts, and often sitting around inside our homes. The weather is colder and the thought of outdoor activities might not be the first thing on our minds. For some, that may be difficult due to age or the need to use an assistive device such as a wheelchair or cane.

A lot of us give up our regular routines around the holidays and end up feeling guilty about not maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. We may tell ourselves that we are allowed this cheat time and will get back to that schedule once the celebrations are over. Sometimes this leads to ultimately not picking that routine back up and ending up in an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle.

Healthy Living: Holiday Excercise Tips

Plan Short Workouts

Roasting a turkey? Baking a pie? Use this time to create a quick workout that you could do right in your home. If you have stairs you could take a few trips up and down to get your heart rate up. Those that have a home gym or treadmill might incorporate a simple workout when you have an opportune time while food prepping. There are also short fitness videos or apps on your phone that you might try while you wait for your company to arrive.

HEALTHY LIVING BONUS: Think outside the box. If you have canned goods and water bottles, do a few reps lifting those overhead or doing some lateral raises.

Get the Family Engaged

group of disabled men and a woman drinking beer and playing outdoor gamesAfter everyone has eaten and their stomachs are full, instead of heading to the couch to either pass out or watch football, round everyone up and head outside. Everyone could go to the backyard, a park, or even sledding if weather permits. There are plenty of outdoor games such as cornhole, badminton, tag, or even hide and seek. If there is a basketball court nearby, that is another option. When everyone is involved, it can be an afternoon of family bonding and healthy living while burning some of those calories from the feast!

Take a Walk

Put on some comfortable shoes and go for a walk. Walking is a low-impact exercise that has many benefits that contribute to healthy living. Not only does it get the heart pumping, but is a less strainful physical activity. Go for a stroll around the neighborhood and take in the fresh air. Walking can also be one of those short workouts while you wait for a casserole to bake.

HEALTHY LIVING BONUS: If you have a family dog, this would be a great time to have them accompany you.

Park the Car Further Out

When you are out shopping for food or gifts this time of year, consider parking in a spot that is farther away from the store entrance. This will ensure that you will have a decent distance to walk and you can rack up those steps on your fitness tracker.

Healthy Living: Don't Let Incontinence Stop You

If you suffer from incontinence, you may be worried about being active and are also concerned about involuntary episodes while you’re around family and friends this time of year. There are plenty of things that you can do during the holidays to allow you to stay involved and enjoy every moment.

Watch Your Fluids

Although drinking water before a meal may help you to avoid overeating during the season, if you have urinary incontinence, you might want to slightly hold back from consuming too much and too often. Try to stay properly hydrated, but limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you’re consuming, especially when you are going to work out. You are more likely to have an accident if your bladder is irritated by the caffeine.

Empty Your Bladder Often

Prior to heading out for a walk, beginning an activity with family, or doing a short exercise while your turkey is in the oven, be mindful of emptying your bladder instead of trying to hold it. This will help to avoid any strain on the bladder and may help to lessen any leakage while trying to enjoy your day on your journey of healthy living during the holidays.

Use Protective Products

assortment of incontinence productsAs with any type of incontinence, using the right protective hygiene products is key. For light to moderate urine loss, pantie liners, pads, and male guards should be used. Moderate to heavy urine loss calls for either a belted undergarment, pull-on, or tab brief. You’ll feel more confident and secure when you are being active if you are properly protected.

HEALTHY LIVING BONUS: Wear loose-fitting black pants! In the event that you have a leak, black can help hide the evidence and the loose-fit of the clothing can also help hide the extra protection you are wearing.

The most important thing that you can do around the holidays is focus on enjoying all the moments with the ones you love. Take it easy on yourself and know that you are not able to control everything that happens. With a few of these healthy living tips, we hope that you can try not to veer too far away from your normal routine and remain active all through the holidays.

For more information on any of the products we offer if you suffer from incontinence, please give us a call or contact us now and one of our Product Experts would be happy to help.

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Bedwetting and Nocturia as an Adult

Bedwetting and nocturia as an adult may be embarrassing and confusing when you either wet the bed (nocturnal enuresis) or need to get up throughout the night to frequently void (nocturia). We often think these types of incidents no longer happen once we are out of our adolescent years. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies change.

There are several reasons that an adult may suffer from bedwetting and getting up to urinate throughout the night. Hormonal changes, illness, kidney problems, an enlarged prostate, and even medication can cause a person to produce more urine than normal. Regardless of age and gender, bedwetting and nocturia can happen to anyone at any stage in life. So what are some of the adult bedwetting or reasons you might need to get up to use the restroom several times a night?

We’ll discuss adult bedwetting and nocturia and the products that can be used to help manage these conditions. Incontinence briefs and diapers, underpads, and a few lifestyle changes can positively impact the quality of life.

So What Causes Adult Bedwetting?

Nocturnal enuresis and nocturia may stem from an underlying health condition and should be taken seriously. The following are some potential adult bedwetting causes.

Hormonal Changes

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) is a hormone that we make less of when we are sleeping. This hormone is produced in the hypothalamus part of the brain and then released from the pituitary gland, which is at the base of the brain. ADH communicates with our kidneys and tells them to produce less urine. If a person does not make sufficient ADH, they are likely to have a bedwetting incident.

The Size of  Your Bladder

A small bladder can affect how much urine a person can hold, therefore leading to leaking on the bedsheets. The bladder itself is not actually small, it is the fact that the bladder muscles become overactive, causing a continuous need to void.

Having an Overactive Bladder

When a person has an overactive bladder, the urinary muscles spasm and cause a sudden urge to frequently use the restroom. This may happen when a person has a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or an enlarged prostate. Other risk factors that might increase the chance of an overactive bladder are pregnancy, age, gender, weight, and having diabetes.

Suffering from Diabetes

If a person has diabetes, they do not process sugar (glucose) properly, leading to their bladder filling up quickly with large amounts of urine. The nerves may be affected that control bladder function and the increase in urine production.

Men That Have an Enlarged Prostate

In men, the prostate may become enlarged. Urine passes directly through the center of this gland as it travels from the bladder. With an enlarged prostate, urine may not flow normally as it is pressing on the urethral passage. This can cause the need to urinate more frequently, especially at night.

What You Might do to Prevent Adult Bedwetting and Nocturia

Since our bladder changes as we age, we sometimes are not prepared for some of the incidents that may happen when we are adults. Rather than accepting bedwetting and nocturnal enuresis as a fact of life, we should deal with it as a real issue that needs to be properly addressed. There are some things that you might be able to do to lessen or even halt the problem altogether.

collage of pills and alcoholic beverages that may contribute to nocturnal enuresis and adult bedwettingTake Inventory of the Medicines You’re Taking

Sometimes, certain prescription medications may have side effects and may be one of many adult bedwetting causes. Wetting the bed and an increase in bathroom visits may be two of them. It may help to take the medication at an alternate time of day, but always consult with your doctor before making this decision on your own.

Observe Your Fluid Intake

A high intake of caffeine and alcohol can also raise the chances of suffering from nocturnal enuresis. Limiting the amount of these types of beverages you consume may help reduce the possibility of getting up to urinate throughout the night.

Could Constipation be the Issue?

When a person is constipated, their stool puts pressure on the bladder, which is directly in front of the rectum. This pressure makes it difficult to hold urine and can lead to bedwetting or making frequent bathroom runs throughout the night. It might be wise to monitor how frequently you are having regular bowel movements to avoid unnecessary suffering.

Empty Your Bladder Before Going to Bed

Emptying your bladder before you go to bed may have a great impact on avoiding incidents throughout the night. It is worth a try, however, if you are in need of further protection, there are incontinence products that you can use.

Consider Wearing or Adding Protection for Adult Bedwetting and Nocturia

Tranquility essential Protective Underwear to help manage nocturnal enuresis and adult bedwettingOur Personally Delivered exclusive brand of Overnight Protective Underwear uses the most advanced technology to provide maximum absorbency and leakage protection that will keep you drier, comfortable, and protected all night long.

Depending on the severity of the bedwetting, there are a variety of incontinence products available for moderate to heavy bladder leakage. We carry everything from incontinence briefs, bladder pads, pantie liners, extra-large bed pads, and more for both men and women in a wide range of sizes.

It is essential to note that incontinence briefs are designed to provide full protection and are a popular choice for those that are bedridden, bound to a wheelchair, or lack dexterity. Incontinence briefs do not require the complete removal of clothing when changing and are an excellent choice for caregivers. Many top-performing incontinence briefs such as the Tranquility SmartCore Disposable Briefs offer superior absorbency and a fast-drying core that is effective for up to eight hours. That’s a full night’s sleep! These incontinence briefs are also a great option for those with fecal incontinence.

It may be helpful to keep a bladder journal for a few days to track how often you are urinating or leaking and when this is happening. You can share this with your health care provider so they can better understand what you are experiencing.

We have provided a Bladder Journal for your convenience that you can download and print to record your daily activity related to this condition here: Bladder Journal

Bladder Journal

Bladder Journal page 1

As with any health concern, you should always speak to your doctor about adult bedwetting and nocturia. There may be something you can do or small changes you can make that you aren’t aware of to fully stop this issue. If you have any questions about the incontinence briefs or any other incontinence products we offer that may help you with your condition, we are just a phone call away and ready to help.

Best-Selling Incontinence Products

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Maintaining a Healthy Bladder

Similar to a balloon, the bladder is a hollow organ made of tissue that stretches and holds our urine until we are ready to release. It is part of our urinary system that includes the kidneys and urethra. We all use our bladder several times each and every day, but do we know how to keep this organ healthy?

There are several things that can affect the health of our bladder. We will discuss what those are, the signs that you should look for, and how you might be able to prevent them here.

What Can Affect the Bladder's Health

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that can affect many parts of the body and can lead to other health problems such as nerve damage. The bladder is made up of many nerves that could be damaged by diabetes. This damage could affect a person’s bladder control.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

When bacteria grows in the urethra and bladder, a UTI has occurred. A bladder infection is the most common type of UTI and can cause urinary urge incontinence. This is when there is a frequent and sudden need to urinate and may also cause you to leak urine before making it to the restroom. One common activity that might cause a UTI is the use of a catheter to urinate. Indwelling catheters introduce bacteria into the lining of the bladder, causing irritation and infection. Closed catheter systems may be helpful in preventing UTIs.

Constipation

Constipation can happen when a person doesn’t have enough fiber in their diet, are taking certain medications, have a medical condition, or are inactive for long periods of time. This puts pressure on the bladder because of the stool that is built up in the colon. The bladder is unable to stretch like it should, therefore affecting the bladder’s health.

Being Overweight

When a person carries a lot of extra weight, it increases pressure on the abdomen and bladder. This can also contribute to the weakening of the pelvic muscles and result in leakage from the bladder.

Smoking

You may not think smoking has any relation to the health of one’s bladder, but the opposite is the case. Smoking causes harmful chemicals to collect in the urine and affect the bladder’s lining. This can ultimately lead to bladder cancer. Because the chemicals from smoking make their way directly into the bloodstream, they are filtered into the kidneys potentially forming ‘stones’. Kidney stones pass through the urethral tract, which can be a painful process. Also, ‘Smoker’s Cough’ can cause spasms in the bladder and lead to leakage.

man on a scale and woman lighting a cigarette

Signs You May Have a Bladder Problem

Every person is different, therefore each person’s bladder behaves differently and some signs you may be experiencing could mean you have a problem with your bladder.

Come of the most common signs of a bladder probem are:

  • Strong and frequent urges to urinate (urinary urge incontinence)
  • Blood in the urine
  • Cloudy urine
  • Waking up multiple times throughout the night to go to the bathroom
  • Leaking urine or the unability to hold it until you get to a restroom (urinary incontinence)
  • Experiencing a burning sensation before, during, or after urinating
  • Problems fully emptying your bladder

Just like any other health concern, always consult your doctor for their professional opinion if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. They may be able to do some testing to see if your bladder is actually in an unhealthy state and offer the right treatment options available to you if necessary.

Some Tips to Keep a Healthy Bladder

Even though we cannot control everything that happens to our overall health, including our bladder, we can take some measures to improve the health of our bladder. Here are a few suggestions that may contribute to keeping your bladder healthy:

Stay Active and Maintain a Healthy Weight

As we mentioned earlier, keeping your weight down will lessen any pressure on the bladder and allow you to release urine when it’s actually full. Exercising will also help to maintain a healthy weight and prevent possible constipation that can irritate the bladder.

Drink Enough Water

Try to drink the equivalent to your body weight in ounces of water each day. For most, this is 6-8 glasses of water per day. The bladder loves water and it is one of the best fluids that can help maintain its health. When you are getting enough fluids, your urine can flow freely and should be pale in color and odor-free.

woman drinking water and a group of women doing yoga in a park

Limit Intake of Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol are known to increase bladder activity and can lead to a higher frequency and urgency to urinate. Reducing the intake of these types of beverages may help decrease these symptoms.

Do Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Known as Kegel exercises, doing pelvic floor exercises help to strengthen the pelvic muscles and prevent leaking. The stronger the muscles, the better the bladder is at holding in the urine until you can use a restroom.

Void Often and When You Need To

Try to never hold the need to use the restroom. Holding urine in the bladder for extended periods of time can not only lead to a bladder infection, but it can also weaken the muscles.

Make Sure to Wipe Correctly

For females, be sure to wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This process will help keep bacteria away from the urethra that could cause a UTI as we previously mentioned.

Maintaining a healthy bladder is good for your general health and an important organ to take care of. Should you have a medical condition that causes you to have urinary incontinence or urge incontinence, we offer products that might help you confidently get through your days and nights. As always, consult with your doctor first if you have any concerns that your bladder is not functioning properly.

drawing of a bladder

Popular Products for Managing Incontinence

Attends Premier Underwear

Attends Premier Protective Underwear

Tranquility SmartCore Disposable Briefs

Tranquility SmartCore Disposable Brief

Tranquility Select Personal Care Pad

Tranquility Select Personal Care Pad

Cardinal Simplicity Basic Underpad

Simplicity Disposable Fluff Underpad
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How Nutrition Relates to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

woman holding her stomach in discomfortWhen a person suffers from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, they suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disease affects the digestive system and impacts a person’s nutrition in many different ways. Making choices about which foods to eat might become challenging because some of them may worsen symptoms related to this disease.

There are some common misconceptions about one’s diet and IBD. We will go into further detail about the disease, its relationship to nutrition, and some possible treatment options.

What Exactly is IBD?

When one’s digestive tract is persistently inflamed, they are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are two types of IBD, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.

The lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed with Crohn’s disease and spreads deep into the tissues. With Ulcerative colitis, a person develops ulcers in the innermost lining of their colon and rectum. Both of these medical conditions cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

When there is inflammation in the GI tract, digestion and absorption of nutrients is disrupted. Normally, when bodily tissues are damaged, inflammation takes place to try to protect the body from further harm from bacteria. A person’s immune system with IBD is compromised and unable to react appropriately, therefore causing continuous inflammation which leads to improper functioning of the GI organs. Diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, stomach cramps, and weight loss are just some of the symptoms IBD brings on.

How Nutrition Plays a Part in IBD

healthy colorful bowl of vegetablesThere is some misconception of how a person’s diet is related to IBD. It is true that some foods may aggravate the symptoms when a flare-up is present, but the foods themselves are not the root cause of IBD. The disease itself is what causes the inflammation.

IBD is not caused by an allergy, a poor diet, being overweight, or be cured by a specific nutritional plan. Each person’s symptoms with IBD vary due to the fact that different parts of their digestive system are affected.

Severe Diarrhea Can Cause Dehydration

One’s body becomes dehydrated when they are having multiple bowel movements throughout the day. This causes the body to not absorb and maintain enough liquids, electrolytes, and nutrition.

Weight Loss due to Lack of Appetite

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease often come with a decreased appetite due to pain and nausea, resulting in malnutrition as they try to manage symptoms of diarrhea and/or vomiting. The body consumes more stored energy because of the inflammation associated with IBD and this leads to tissue breakdown in the body.

Bleeding from the Rectum

Ulcers can form on the inner lining of the intestinal tract as a result of chronic inflammation and can happen anywhere on the tract including the anus and perineum. Tissue can also tear in and around the anus because of continuous or painful bowel movements. Both of these symptoms lead to blood loss.

There is a possible risk of malabsorption of nutrients in a person with IBD and require them to elevate their intake of calories, nutrients, and energy. Lacking enough essential vitamins and minerals is often associated with IBD but there are some options that may be helpful to treat those deficiencies.

Some Options to Help Treat IBD

array of nutritional supplements that can help with inflammatory bowel diseaseOf course, the end goal of IBD is to decrease the amount of inflammation that causes the onset of the symptoms. You should always consult with your doctor first, but certain products can offer nutritional support that may reduce inflammation.

Getting the essential nutrients is key for those that suffer from IBD whether young or old. Children require the right vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and development. The elderly often need an oral supplement for added protein, fiber, and omega-3 fats to support bone and heart health. When extra calories are needed, there are many formulas such as Boost, Ensure, and Pedialyte to deliver protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fat.

Nutrition can also be improved by a special diet that involves taking in nutrients through a feeding tube. This also allows the bowels to rest to aid in lessening the possibility of pain and trauma in the rectal region. More severe IBD symptoms might be treated by a doctor that delivers nutrients directly to the blood stream through a catheter.

There are many more treatment options available to help reduce the symptoms associated with IBD, but always speak to your doctor about what might be right for your specific needs.

For more information about the nutritional products we offer, give us a call to speak to one of our Product Experts. We would be happy to discuss what your doctor recommends or how we may help you find the products you are looking for.

 

To learn more about Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis, visit these sites:

Living with Crohn’s Disease: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com/living-with-crohns-uc/crohns

Living with Ulcerative Colitis: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com/living-with-crohns-uc/ulcerative-colitis

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The Real Costs of Incontinence

The real costs of incontinence can be stressful. Let’s face it, when we are managing incontinence, we all know that diapers, briefs, protective underwear, and pads cost money. But when we dig a little deeper, the price tag attached to other health conditions stemming from incontinence is often forgotten. Incontinence can lead to physical and emotional effects and those can have a great economic impact on our lives.

Educating consumers about options they have and where they might purchase their incontinence products and supplies could help lessen some of the burdens that come along with incontinence management. We will talk about the real costs of incontinence and provide some insight into how you might be able to lessen the stress on your pocketbook.

Quality Products Make a Difference

When you choose incontinence products that are low-cost and offer little to no absorbency, you are choosing a product that you will need to replace more frequently, causing you to spend more money. Although you already know that you will be replenishing your incontinence supplies over time, you might not have to as often if you invest in absorbent products that can be worn for extended periods of time. This could lead to spending a bit more upfront on good high-quality products, but you’ll get more life out of each wear.

It is also important to note that purchasing the correctly fitting incontinence products is essential in reducing the number of changes you require. We provide the necessary steps to properly measure yourself or someone you care for in our blog post, Measuring Your Hips & Waist for Adult Diapers.

Laundry and Waste

Another reason to choose high-quality absorbent disposable products is to lessen the amount of laundry and waste you build up over time. If you’re leaking through your incontinence products, you will soil your clothing and linens more frequently, resulting in the need to do more loads of laundry.

Changing low-cost briefs, diapers, and pads more often will also create a lot more trash that you’ll have on your hands. Reducing the number of changes by using quality and proper fitting products will also help lessen the amount of waste you acquire and allow you or the person you are caring for worry less about incontinence episodes.

Consider using quality disposable bed pads to help protect your bedding and clothing. Disposable bed pads are a versatile incontinence product that can be used in a variety of ways. Protect your bedding, furniture, and car seats with underpads.  And if you have a pet, disposable bed pads can be used for potty training. Learn more uses for disposable bed pads in our blog, Underpads for Dogs and All Their Uses.

Simplicity Disposable Fluff Underpad

The Costs of Incontinence Products

Aloe Vesta range of productsMany other product needs may arise when you suffer from incontinence. Body washes, personal cleansing wipes, lotions, creams, and ointments are all products that might be used in conjunction with the other absorbent disposable supplies. Keeping your skin dry and clean is an important process in managing incontinence. These supplies can aid in reducing bacteria build-up and the treatment of potential rashes, however, they also cost money.

Emotional & Financial Stresses

One’s emotional health is vital to their overall health. The financial stress of the many costs of incontinence products can really take a toll on a person’s health and quality of life. Living a life with incontinence can bring about interrupted sleep at night, the risk of urinary tract infections, or even worse, taking a fall and land a person in the hospital. This burden can be very expensive not to mention a contributor to possible physical decline due to reduced activity.

For seniors that do not qualify for Medicaid, no level of reimbursement is available for absorbent incontinence products. This may cause elderly folks to be forced to choose between the necessities of living and their disposable medical supplies. No one should have to make that decision, especially at this age.

Becoming a Smarter Consumer

Instead of making a trip to your local grocery or drug store to purchase the incontinence supplies you need, consider choosing us as your online retailer. We offer a wide range of incontinence products that range from light to very heavy absorbency, as well as all of those items we mentioned previously that aid in healing the other incontinence-related health conditions.

woman smiling and pointing to computer screen showing personally delivered incontinence productsOur money-savings program takes the stress out of having to take trips to the store for restocking and you save on every future order that you remain on the plan. All you have to do is choose the frequency of your home delivery schedule and leave the rest to us.

We also have special discounts and promotions to help lower some of the costs. The best part about us is our compassionate Product Experts that can take the stress out of trying to determine the right products for your specific needs. We provide free consultations and walk you through the decision-making process.

In the end, all of the costs of incontinence products add up and can result in even worse complications with your health that can really take a toll on the quality of life.

Our goal at Personally Delivered is to provide innovative services to treat illness and disease and promote the improvement of personal health and independence. Give us a call and we would be happy to discuss your concerns about expenses related to managing incontinence. (800)777-1111

Popular High-Quality Incontinence Products

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Urinary Incontinence

In short, urinary incontinence can be summed up as involuntary loss of urine.

This is usually due to the body’s inability to adequately retain urine, whether due to a nerve condition, weakened bladder or pelvic floor muscles, injury, or another medical condition. It can be temporary or in more severe cases, urinary incontinence may be permanent.

Urinary Incontinence Risk Factors

risk factors of urinary incontinence include age, weight, lifestyle, ethnicity, diet, family history

So what causes urinary incontinence?


Several risk factors exist that may factor into the onset of urinary incontinence, which include but are not limited to:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Hormonal changes such as menopause
  • Obesity
  • Constipation
  • Medications such as diuretics, sedatives, and others
  • Nerve damage from injury or another coexisting medical condition

Who is Affected by Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can affect anyone of any age or gender. It’s not a condition that only affects the elderly. In fact, even children can have involuntary incontinence.

However, studies show it seems to occur more frequently among senior citizens and among women. In particular, women who are pregnant or women who have had several children seem to be more affected by urinary incontinence.

Incontinence can certainly impact one’s quality of life. For the person living with incontinence, they must not only deal with hygiene and management of their condition, but they may also be affected by social and emotional factors, such as anxiety and depression related to their incontinence.

smiling family of various ages and sexes having a picnic at a park

Incontinence Product Options

Personally Delivered Daytime and Overnight Protective Underwear packages next to each other

Urine leakage from incontinence can range from light (small losses of urine) to severe (which is typically the total inability to retain urine in the bladder). No matter the severity of your incontinence, you need to seek out a treatment option from your doctor. In addition, you’ll likely need a way to collect your urine to avoid leakage and “accidents.”

Many different types of incontinence products exist in varying absorbencies, sizes, and types to fit each person and their unique body and condition.

At present, a wide variety of home delivery incontinence supplies exist, including:


The choice of one incontinence product or a combination all depends on your specific needs and challenges, as well as your condition and your environment.

Personally Delivered has a support team of incontinence supply experts who can help you determine which products may work best for you.

Sources


  1. Fink, H.
    A., Taylor, B. C., Tacklind, J. W., Rutks, I. R., & Wilt, T. J. (2008).
    Treatment interventions in nursing home residents with urinary incontinence: A
    systematic review of randomized trials. Mayo Clinic
    Proceedings, 83(12), 1332-1343.
  2. McCormick,
    A. K., Burgio, D. L., Engel, T. B., Scheve, A. & Leahy, E. (1992). Urinary
    incontinence: An augmented prompted void approach. Journal of Gerontological
    Nursing, 18(3), 3-9.
  3. Northwood,
    M. (2004). Nurses experiences’ caring for persons with incontinence. Unpublished masters’ thesis, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario,
    Canada.
  4. Rodriguez, N. A., Sackley, C.
    M., & Badger, F. J. (2007). Exploring
    the facets of continence care: A continence survey of care homes for older
    people in Birmingham. Journal of Clinical Nursing,
    16(5), 954-962.
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Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2019

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia and it is ranked as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When someone loses their ability to think, reason, and remember things to a degree that it begins to interfere with their daily activities, dementia has begun to set in.

Changes in the brain cause dementia and can be difficult to pinpoint at first because they may develop well before the cognitive problems appear. Once Alzheimer’s has set in, neurons die off and the brain begins to shrink in size. Because this is a progressive illness, Alzheimer’s slowly begins to interfere with the basic daily self-care functions and in the later stages, other medical conditions are common.

Walking to Show Support & Raise Awareness

On October 5th, our Personally Delivered Team will be participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Orlando, Florida. We are excited to show our support and raise awareness for such a debilitating disease.

We believe that supporting the continuous research, clinical trials, therapies and treatments that doctors and scientists are involved in every day, will help find a breakthrough and all will be able to have memories that last a lifetime.

By walking on this day, our team will be part of one of the world’s largest events to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. We will walk in memory of those that have lost their battle to Alzheimer’s as well as those that are currently fighting this disease.

Walk to End Alzheimer's home

What You Can Do

There are many ways to get involved if you know someone that has Alzheimer’s, are related to someone with the disease, are a caregiver, or just want to show some support. Here are a few we suggest:

1. Put Together a Team

Hundreds of communities across the country hold a Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Just like our team, the walk encourages teams and their participants to fundraise in a variety of ways. Once you sign up your team, you’ll receive a packet with a ton if useful information, ideas, and ways to set and achieve goals. It really can be a lot of fun for a cause that is so great!

2. Take the Purple Pledge

During the month of September, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages you to take the Purple Pledge and spread the word about this disease helping to inspire action and continue to raise awareness.

Take the Purple Pledge here: alz.org/pledge

3. Wear Purple to Show Your Support

You can simply wear purple on this day to show your support if you are unable to participate in or organize an event. This small effort is a way to contribute to the cause. Our Personally Delivered Team are Difference Makers every day!

Personally Delivered team

4. Donate Financially

Consider making a financial contribution to a research organization. Many of these organizations are consistently looking for ways to raise money for studies and would largely benefit with the extra funding. Some organizations we suggest are the following:

alzheimer's association home

 

Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation home

Alzheimer's Foundation of America home

 

Cure Alzheimer's Fund home

5. Take Time for Yourself

Practicing self-care is one of the most important ways that you can potentially prevent Alzheimer’s from happening to you and those that are important to you. By eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest, you can reduce your stress levels and are acting proactively to possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

No matter what you choose to do to show your support this September, just know that every effort you make counts. The common goal is shared- joining together to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s in hopes that we can help end the disease.

For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease and other ways to get involved, visit National Institute on Aging or Alzheimer’s Association. As always, talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about symptoms that you or someone you know may be experiencing. Taking the proper precautionary steps early on may lead to making more memories later on.

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September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

Spinal Cord Injury Awareness

Man in a wheelchair pushing himself down the road.Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month takes place in September each year. The U.S. Senate designated this month to educate those around us about how widespread this injury is and how we may be able to prevent it from happening. Those with spinal cord injuries are very familiar with this particular injury’s outcomes, unlike those who do not understand how difficult it is to deal with daily.

This is also a time to come together, give our time and/or money to spread awareness, and support spinal injury foundations, organizations, and charities to make a difference in the lives of those with spinal cord injuries. Various organizations are dedicating a significant amount of effort and time to continued research to find better treatments and therapies that might offer an optimistic outlook for those living with paralysis.

A Few Facts About The Human Spine

Doctor inspecting a spine x-ray.

  1. The human spine is a complex structure that is comprised of 33 bones, over 120 muscles, more than 200 ligaments, discs, and many nerves.
  2. Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. It takes a huge amount of force to sever a spinal cord. According to an article, it would take the force equal to a 500 lb. vehicle smashing into a wall at 30 mph. That’s quite a force!
  3. The neurons in the spine carry pain signals to the brain after an injury. Because of this, the body becomes more sensitive to pain, which explains why we feel that the aching and soreness seem to linger on after our spine-related injury.

Spinal cord injuries can happen at any point in life for various reasons, from birth to further into adulthood. Injury to the spinal cord can cause conditions such as loss of bladder and/or bowel control, pain, or tingling sensations due to nerve fiber damage, circulation issues, and respiratory symptoms.

There are many organizations, foundations, and charities that you can get involved with or donate to show support and possibly change the life of someone who suffers from a spinal cord injury.

Organizations that Make a Difference

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation - home

This is a wonderful foundation dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. It provides several opportunities to get involved in supporting its mission, whether directly or indirectly, with a donation. Its mission, “Today’s Care. Tomorrow’s Cure,” represents the endless optimism for those who suffer from paralysis worldwide.

The foundation offers free support for caregivers and patients alike. It provides access to trained specialists for personalized support, offers a Military and Veterans Program, and encourages other types of involvement throughout communities to promote living a quality life. The continuous research this foundation performs has led to many potential successful treatments and therapies.

 

United Spinal Association

United Spinal Association - home

This association’s aim is to help make the lives of those living with a spinal cord injury and disorder more comfortable and fulfilling. They believe that you can overcome the challenges that are faced when some of your independence may be taken from you. Click here for more information on how you can help change lives in so many ways with this association.

 

Facing Disability

Facing Disability - home

This is a unique platform for those who have unexpectedly faced the challenges of a spinal cord injury to connect with others who have been down this path. Members can share experiences and successes with others and discuss everything related to living a life with paralysis. You can make a difference by clicking here.

 

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Paralyzed Veterans of America - home

Wow! Amazing stories of accomplishment and defeat can be read on this organization’s site. The leadership and volunteer teams are completely comprised of paralyzed veterans. For over 70 years, this organization has been a leading advocate for research, education, benefits, and civil rights for veterans and those living with disabilities across the nation.

Many opportunities to get involved and other ways to give are listed here. Numerous helplines are available as well, ranging from caregiver and legal support to job assistance.

How We Can Help Those With a Spinal Cord Injury

As mentioned earlier in this post, a spinal cord injury can lead to many different complications. When the nervous system isn’t communicating properly, normal bodily functions may become difficult or out of routine. The loss of bowel and bladder control, increased nerve sensitivity, and circulatory problems can begin to happen, to mention a few.

We at Personally Delivered offer a wide range of products and supplies that may help alleviate and manage some symptoms that a spinal cord injury may propel into motion. Our large selection of closed-system catheters will help empty your bladder throughout the day, and you may find our vascular compression products beneficial in increasing the blood flow to the lower limbs. Sometimes, the trauma may result in the need for incontinence products such as diapers, briefs, or underpads. Whatever symptoms you are experiencing from a spinal cord injury, we likely have a solution to helping you live a comfortable and dignified life.

For more information about understanding spinal cord injury, the recovery process, and informative videos, click here.

Our dedicated team at Personally Delivered is available to discuss any home delivery medical supplies you require. We will ensure that you get exactly what you need in a discreet and timely manner. We are just a phone call away.

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