Choosing products for bladder and bowel control(view report contents)
Incontinence: what does it mean?
Incontinence is any leakage from your bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel (faecal incontinence). It can vary from a few drops of urine when you sneeze, laugh, cough or jump to the emptying of your bowel without any warning.
Incontinence always has a cause. It is important that you get medical help to find the cause so you can be given the right treatment.
Incontinence can happen to anyone at any time - men, women or children of any age. It's estimated that more than three million people in this country have continence problems. It becomes more likely as we grow older. But for most people incontinence is preventable, and at any age mostly curable and always manageable.People most at risk are children born with a bladder or bowel defect, women who have had children, men who have an enlarged prostate and people with certain conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Children and adults with learning disabilities who have continence problems often need no more than good toilet training.
‘I’ve never looked back’
Nancy coped with urinary incontinence for years, without any help, until things got worse seven years ago, making her life a misery. Her husband Eric and daughter Margaret encouraged Nancy to overcome her embarrassment and get help from their GP and a continence advisor. Investigations revealed an atonic bladder, which can hold seven pints (four litres) but then without warning flood everywhere. Now Nancy catheterises herself several times a day and wears special pants for extra confidence. She and Eric have set up a support group. ‘I’ve never looked back’ says Nancy.
Getting on with his life
Barry is paralysed following a motor cycle accident.He tried out leg bags for one company, and was invited to join the staff. He is now its UK director. Through his work there he met Dorita, his wife, and now there’s Sam too to keep them busy. Barry says ‘The products have given me the confidence and independence to get on with my life’.
Working out with confidence
Jacquie is a fitness instructor with two children. Following the birth of her son, she found she was leaking during workouts. She talked it over with her husband, and went to her GP and on to a urotherapist. Treatment with electrical stimulation helped and she was told about suitable products. Jacquie says ‘Now I can work out confident I’m dry - and I’ve introduced continence awareness into my teaching’.
Report contents
About
this report
Incontinence:
what does it mean?
Symptoms,
causes and treatments
Getting
help
Tips
for dealing with smells and stains
Products
and tips on choosing them
Alternatives
to the lavatory
Protecting
beds and chairs
Protecting
yourself
Specialist
products
How
your bladder and bowels work
Helpful
organisations
