Living with Incontinence: Why you need to be More Sensitive

Does the thought of a full-grown adult wetting their pants, gross you out? Perhaps it does. Most of us are fortunate enough to not have a loved one suffering from incontinence. But our lack of awareness makes it extremely difficult for those who are suddenly faced with this condition. Tomorrow, youor family member could be a patient, and you wouldn’t want to be at the receiving end of negativity. So, what is incontinence? And why do you need to be sensitive about it? We at Stay Sure will explain through this article. 

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is a condition where a person loses control of their bladder, bowel movement or both. This results in the involuntary loss of urine orfaeces. In some cases incontinence could occur occasionally such as when you laugh or cough. While in other situations it may lead to a complete inability to control the bladder or bowel.

It is important to note that incontinence is a symptom of an underlying condition and is not necessarily a consequence of aging. Daily habits, physical conditions and medical problems can all cause incontinence.

What Causes Incontinence?

There are various reasons for incontinence to occur, and it is an extremely common condition. Pregnancy is known to weaken the pelvic muscles. Medical conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer’s can cause incontinence. Additionally, certain medications, infections and surgeries may trigger it.Fortunately, in most cases incontinence can be better managed or even cured. However, it can be extremely stressful for the patient and could affect his/her physical & mental well-being. 

Why Incontinence Requires Sensitivity?

Unlike most other medical conditions, incontinence brings with a large social stigma. How often have you heard somebody openly speak about it? What was your reaction to the question at the beginning of this article?

Many people tend to associate incontinence with old age, but the truth is, it could affect anyone at any age. The stigma surrounding it makes it difficult and uncomfortable for patients to seek help. Instead they sometimes choose to suffer in silence, until it is too late.

Incontinence takes both a physical and mental toll on a person. Some patients have difficulty sleeping. They may even dread the thought of going to bed out of fear that they may soil themselves. Even their waking hours may become nightmarish. In extreme cases people have had to change their career paths in order to accommodate their condition. Others purposely avoid public places out of fear and embarrassment. Incontinence can greatly affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence. It is therefore absolutely necessary for those unaffected, to approach it with sensitivity and care.  

The Courage to Talk:

Accepting incontinence and talking about it requires a tremendous amount of courage. But those who are unaware may react negatively to a patient. This just increases the patients’ feelings of shame and hopelessness. As mentioned above, incontinence already takes its toll on a patients’psychological well-being. The last thing they need is judgment especially due to a lack of knowledge.

How can Incontinence be managed?

Before we make a few suggestions, remember that incontinence is best managed under the guidance of a medical practitioner.

A few adjustments one can make to their daily lives could include a change in diet to include more fiber, ensuring that one consumes an adequate amount of water in the day, creating an exercise routine which focuses on strengthening the pelvic muscles, maintaining a bowel/bladder diary and using adult diapers.

Adult Diapers &Incontinence

The use of adult diapers is one of the simplest ways to manage incontinence. However, because diapers are usually associated with babies, most adults might be averse to the idea of using them. What a patient needs to understand is that a diaper has more advantages than disadvantages.

These days’adult diapers come in convenient sizes (such as those we offer at Stay Sure) that allow the patient to wear them without it being obvious to other people. Our diapers also have an in-built wetness indicators that tell the user when it is time to change. Clearly, the modern day diaper is convenient and effective. However, in order to help the patient make the transition to wearing adult diapers, one must show an immense amount of sensitivity.  

As you can see, approaching incontinence with care can go a long way in helping people accept their condition and seek treatment for it. At Stay Sure we believe that this is the first step to managing incontinence well.