Many more people than you may think experience some degree of chronic urinary incontinence. Seniors in assisted living or who need home care are particularly affected. No one needs to feel shame about bladder troubles, though. Instead, delve into how to live a great life while coping with your incontinence. To help you do this, here’s how to choose the right incontinence product.
Determine Leak Frequency and Quantity
First, know that it’s not diaper or bust. Different incontinence products fit varying leakage frequencies and quantities. To narrow down what you need, consider what a typical incontinence episode looks like. Mild leakage requires a lower-profile product than significant, steady urine losses. Also, frequency is important because, even if you do have mild leaks, some incontinence products can’t manage repeated mild leaks in a short span.
Consider Your Typical Day
Another consideration when choosing the right incontinence product is when you need help and what would make you comfortable. For instance, if you particularly struggle at night, there are waterproof sheeting products that absorb urine well and eliminate odors. Nighttime incontinence may also require more absorbent products because of the lack of control you have as you sleep. Meanwhile, you may be able to tackle daytime incontinence with a less absorbent product or take Confitrol24 which can help reduce urinary incontinence.
As you consider your day, forays outside your home likely come to mind. These are intimidating and invoke fear about finding a restroom in time and having an accident. While it’s possible to train your pelvic muscles and mind to afford you more control, having more absorbent options when leaving your home would set your mind at ease.
Learn About Your Options
When you understand your needs, you have an easier time considering the different types of products available.
Liners
Liners are a discreet absorbent product with a comparatively low capacity, perfect for active people with mild leakage. To use liners, you attach them to the inside of an underwear garment. You can also purchase reusable underwear with a built-in liner and helpful seal.
Protective Underwear
The next step up is protective underwear. Though similar to pull-ups, protective underwear garments are also relatively discreet and replace an underwear garment. They provide a moderate amount of absorbency for active individuals with more than mild incontinence.
Fitted Briefs
More absorbent than protective underwear, fitted briefs come with adhesive tabs on the side to easily put on and remove. While these fit the needs of people of varying levels of mobility, briefs are a bit bulkier than lower-profile options.
Booster Pads
Booster pads work a little differently and supply a number of benefits. Rather than a stand-alone garment, booster pads supplement existing incontinence garments with some added capacity. After inserting a booster pad in your underwear garment, it fills before your garment does, lending you added flexibility when you need it.