Tag Archives: Light Bladder Leakage

Links for the Incontinence Community

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 3, 2016 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over half of seniors in the United States are afflicted with incontinence. Of course, it’s not just seniors who experience incontinence. People of all ages can be affected, due to a large number of factors. Whatever the reason you or the person you care for may find for being incontinent, we’d like to help with these great resources for both urinary and fecal incontinence:

Simon Foundation for Continence

The mission of the Simon Foundation is to: “Bring the topic of incontinence out into the open, remove the stigma surrounding incontinence, and provide help and hope to people with incontinence, their families and the health professionals who provide their care.”

National Association for Incontinence

From their About Us: “National Association for Continence is a national, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with incontinence, voiding dysfunction, and related pelvic floor disorders. NAFC’s purpose is to be the leading source for public education and advocacy about the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatments, and management alternatives for incontinence.”

Urology Care Foundation

“The Urology Care Foundation advances urologic research and education. We work with health care providers, researchers, patients and caregivers to improve patients’ lives. The Urology Care Foundation is the official foundation of the American Urological Association.”

Medline Plus – Urinary Incontinence

This government site has a basic explanation of the condition, resources to learn more, videos, research, and patient handouts.

Health in Aging

This site was created by the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation, to “provide consumers and caregivers with up-to-date information on health and aging.”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases – Fecal Incontinence Article

“The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts, supports, and coordinates research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The Institute supports clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields, as well as many basic science disciplines.”

Five Simple Tips to Manage Bladder Leakage in Menopause

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on February 16, 2016 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Original post written by Dr. Anna Garrett for LiveConfidently.com

When you go through menopause, estrogen levels drop. For some women, this can result in weakening of the pelvic floor muscles that support bladder control, causing LBL (light bladder leakage). You’ve probably heard about LBL. It’s that little leak that comes with a big sneeze or a hearty laugh. A range of things, from exercise to caffeinated drinks, can trigger it. It’s also part of that urgent “gotta go right now” feeling you might get on the way to the restroom.

But there’s good news! It’s a myth that LBL is something all women will experience because of menopause, and there are things you can do to manage any unwelcome leaks. Here are five simple tips to help keep you dry and comfortable.

1. Wear the Right Protective Products

Wear an absorbent pad or pantiliner designed just for bladder leaks if you’re going to be out and about. These pads and liners look and feel very similar to menstrual pads and liners, but are designed for very different needs. Because they are specifically designed to absorb bladder leaks, they can often hold two to three times as much urine as a menstrual pad or liner. They also do a better job of controlling odors caused by urine. Our blog post on Incontinence Products vs. Feminine Products further explores the differences between these products.

2. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can cause constipation, and constipation can contribute to bladder leakage for some women. Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day (although not too much), eat plenty of fiber, and exercise regularly to keep things moving.

3. Manage Your Schedule

When scheduling your workday, consider scheduling visits to the bathroom on regular, timed intervals throughout the day. This will give you time to change your protective products and help with training your bladder. It may be helpful to keep an incontinence journal for 5-7 days to pinpoint when you’re most likely to visit the bathroom, and then build your schedule from there.

4. Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks

Avoid caffeine and other drinks or foods that can irritate the lining of the bladder. If you don’t like drinking plain water, find one or two alternative drinks that are caffeine and acid free to substitute. And please note, sodas (even if caffeine-free) are very acidic and should be avoided. Our blog post on Foods and Drinks that can Trigger Incontinence has more information on items that can irritate the bladder.

5. Keep Your Pelvic Floor Muscles Strong

Try pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as Kegel exercises. These exercises are most effective for LBL, not heavier incontinence. To do this exercise, lie on the ground with your legs apart and feet flat on the floor. Gently contract your pelvic floor muscles as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine. Hold this contraction for a few seconds and then release. Continue these exercises, completing three sets of 15 each day. With regular exercise, you should see an improvement within a few months.

If heavier incontinence is a problem, consider having a thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor. It’s possible, especially in menopause, that there is pelvic floor prolapse. In this situation, the nerves that control the bladder may not be connecting well with the pelvic muscles. This requires physical therapy and core strengthening. Kegel exercises could make incontinence worse if you have an undiagnosed pelvic floor muscle spasm, so be sure to check with your physician before getting started.

Remember, one in three women who are experiencing menopause are also experiencing LBL. You’re NOT alone! To connect with other women experiencing light bladder leakage in menopause, visit our incontinence forum. We’d love to hear your experiences, questions, and suggestions.

Closer Look: Pads and Liners

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on May 21, 2015 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Often people jump straight to the assumption that those with incontinence must wear adult diapers or pull-us. But there’s a world of discreet pads and liners that help many people with incontinence, especially if only experiencing light bladder leakage (LBL). Let’s take a look at the different types of pads and liners that we sell here on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Some pads and liners are created specifically for each gender. There are pads for men, sometimes called guards, available that are shaped differently to help cater to a man’s anatomy. Some pads are especially designed for men with light to moderate urinary incontinence or those with post-prostate surgery incontinence.

Pads and liners for women are generally shaped like an hourglass to cater to a woman’s anatomy. Women should keep in mind that pads and liners that are used for menstrual periods are not as effective at containing urine as items that are specifically manufactured for incontinence. Some incontinence pads have stay-dry strip that wicks liquid away quickly, eliminating odor concerns. Some incontinence liners guarantee that will they stay three-times drier than leading period-only liners.

Most pads and liners are held in place by an adhesive strip, some that are full-length for security. If you’re allergic to latex, it’s easy to find pads that are latex free. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that pads an liners come in different lengths, so you can experiment and find which length works best for you. It’s easy to do this when ordering samples, which you can find on our site here.

Please let us know if you have any questions about incontinence pads and liners – we’re here to help!

Accidental Bowel Leakage Products

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on March 31, 2015 under Caregiver Corner, Resources | Be the First to Comment

The word incontinence refers to more than just bladder leakage: it can also refer to what is known in the medical world as fecal incontinence, but is now being termed as accidental bowel leakage (ABL). Some of the products that we sell on TotalHomeCareSupplies.com can be used for ABL – let’s take at products that work well for ABL.

There are products out there that are specific to ABL, but the Washington Post reports that most people have incontinence and bowel leakage, instead of just bowel leakage by itself. For that reason, we suggest trying First Quality’s Adult Briefs. They are excellent for urine incontinence, but they also feature a specifically targeted Fecal Containment Zone that eliminates odor by locking in loose stool.

Both of Prevail’s Bariatric Diapers (in sizes A and B) feature an Advanced Zoning System that has fecal containment zones right where they are most needed. These briefs work well with liquid stool, as they also have OdorGuard technology, meaning all liquid is absorbed and trapped before becoming an odor problem, and they have QUICK WICK™ with MaxSoft that pulls the moisture quickly into the core of the diaper.

For youths with ABL, Prevail offers the Youth Brief. This is also a great product for adult individuals who are petite or slender. Again, this item features the Advanced Zoning System, making sure the areas most affected by urine or fecal matter are extra protected against leaks.

Be sure to seek out medical treatment for your ABL if you have yet to do so.

Controlling Incontinence with Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on January 21, 2015 under BladderMatters | Read the First Comment

Originally posted by the Live Confidently team on LiveConfidently.com

If you experience occasional light bladder leakage, it may be due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and provide control over urination. As our bodies mature, our pelvic floor muscles can lose strength, leaving both men and women more susceptible to leaks during everyday activities. Mothers who have experienced multiple births are also at increased risk, regardless of age.

Fortunately, there’s a simple exercise you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and decrease the risk of leaks. We call them pelvic floor exercises, but some people know them as Kegel exercises. Often touted as beneficial for menopausal women, these exercises are just as useful to men and women of all ages. If you haven’t already started doing these pelvic exercises, you can begin as soon as you finish reading this post! Not only are these exercises known to help you control your bladder leakage from getting worse, but they could even prevent stress incontinence from ever happening in the first place.

Let’s Get Started!

To begin your Kegel exercises, sit down and identify your pelvic floor muscles by flexing as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine. Once you’ve found your muscles, contract and hold them for 5-10 seconds, then release. Relax for a few seconds, then repeat the process four or five times in a row. For best results, try to perform at least 30 pelvic floor muscle contractions every day. You should begin to see results after a few months.

The key to success with these exercises is repetition, repetition, repetition. To truly improve your bladder control and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, you should continue practicing even after you’ve seen an improvement. Kegel exercises should be a part of your daily routine, as strong pelvic floor muscles are beneficial to everyone!

Exercises to Avoid

When choosing an exercise plan that best suits your lifestyle, you should try to avoid high-impact sports that put extreme pressure on your pelvic floor muscles. This includes activities like jogging and aerobics. It’s best to choose low-impact exercises such as yoga or Pilates, as these focus on strengthening the core through slow and controlled movements. On top of your low-impact exercise routine, you should always be practicing your pelvic floor exercises, as this is the best way to strengthen the right muscles to improve your bladder control.

Have some tips to add? Head over to our incontinence forum to discuss this topic with people just like you!

Additionally, you can find varying levels of products for incontinence at TotalHomeCareSupplies.com.

Ways People Become Incontinent

Posted by Jeanne Lowry on December 11, 2014 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

Many people assume that incontinence is a natural part of aging (just as many people think that dementia is a natural part of aging). But both are not an automatic response of the body and mind to getting older, though the two afflictions are related to one another.

Temporary incontinence can occur from a matter of issues. Some people who have been able to drink coffee, tea and alcohol without a problem their whole lives can become more sensitive to it as they age, and the effect of that sensitivity can be incontinence. Some medical conditions can create incontinence issues, such as urinary-tract infections (which can not only create incontinence in the elderly, but a host of confusing behavioral problems). To keep urinary-tract infections at bay, those that are susceptible should be sure to stay well-hydrated (though this sounds counter-intuitive to keeping continent, drinking too little water can irritate the bladder and cause incontinence). Constipation can be another reason for temporary incontinence.

Dementia can cause incontinence for a variety of reasons. Those with dementia who still get the “urge” to go can start on their way to the bathroom and get distracted or lost. Some people with later stage Alzheimer’s have damage to the parts of their brain that tells them that they need to go. Additionally, all the steps that it takes to use the restroom: finding it, removing clothing, staying long enough to urinate, can be overwhelming to someone with dementia.

Other reasons for incontinence can be weakened pelvic floor muscles, often caused by pregnancy and childbirth. Some medications can cause incontinence, which can oftentimes be easy to fix by switching types or changing the dosage. Being overweight or having an injury, such as a spinal cord injury, can cause incontinence.

While some of these reasons for incontinence cannot be cured, the incontinence can be managed. Perhaps it’s as easy as using a pull-up at night or having an underpad ready on a favorite chair. The number one reason that the elderly move into nursing homes is because their carer cannot manage their incontinence. But with communication with the caree’s doctor, supplies, and patience, the incontinent individual may be able to stay in place.

Poise’s answer for LBL – Light Bladder Leakage

Posted by Morgan Mooney on July 18, 2012 under BladderMatters | Be the First to Comment

What is “LBL”, you ask? This acronym is a short and sweet way to say “Light Bladder Leakage”. The term addresses woman who suffer from a form of stress incontinence which is basically an unintentional loss of urine provoked by a basic action. A variety of causes include pregnancy, post child birth, and menopause. LBL is most likely triggered by laughing, exercising, sneezing, and coughing. Woman should not feel ashamed if they have LBL because 1 in 3 women have this condition. This means that one third of your female friends could possibly be struggling with the same, commonly unspoken, problem. Women should embrace their LBL and find the product that best works for them.

Poise Products provide great protection, comfort, and no leakage. By coming in a variety of different sizes, fits, and lengths, Poise Pads will find the right fit for every woman. No longer do you have to stress about stress incontinence because TotalHomeCareSupplies provides all the Poise Products you need to find the right, comfortable solution to your LBL.