Allanda’s commitment towards a sustainable society begins by choosing incontinence products manufacturers that strive to maximise the performance of incontinence care for customers and consumers, simultaneously, minimising the impact on our environment.

Tena the UK’s leading incontinence products manufacturer for men and women is one of these manufacturers which we are proud to work with. Tena is part of SCA, a worldwide leading manufacturer of personal care products, tissue, packaging and Forest Products.

SCA has been consistently nominated for awards in recognition of their environmental responsibility. For SCA sustainability is not just a fancy word.

SCA commitment to a sustainable society starts with the responsible sourcing of raw materials. Since 1997, SCA have continuously audited suppliers to ensure that all had an environmental policy and made no use of hazardous chemicals. In 2004 SCA introduced a Code of Conduct to be followed by all of its suppliers.

With a Wood Sourcing Policy, they apply sustainable forest management principles to promote the preservation of forest health and diversity. In addition, the SCA only use timber from known resources. Finally, the SCA encourages their suppliers to reduce their carbon footprint by becoming more energy efficient.

Fewer materials and fewer products lead to less waste!

Minimising product weight and the consequences of incontinence also minimises waste and landfill. Tena range of incontinence products suit all waste treatment systems and are ideal for energy recovery.

Tena also believes that reducing consequences of incontinence leads to less waste. At Tena there is an important distinction between incontinence protection products and incontinence care as whole, reason why they have a whole section of their website dedicated to assist people with incontinence and for those helping incontinent people. By taking on this broader perspective, we can do more towards a sustainable society.

A study exploring the effects of age and menopause on urinary incontinence (UI) in midlife has identified a relationship between menopausal transition and stress UI.

The study included 1211 women followed up since their birth in 1946 and looked at their menopausal transition status and symptoms of stress, urge, and severe UI over 7 years from ages 48-54.

Women who were peri-menopausal were more likely to have symptoms of stress UI than post-menopausal women. Menopausal transition status was not associated with urge or severe UI. These relationships were not explained by age, childhood enuresis, reproductive factors, previous health status, body mass index and educational qualifications.

Source: Nursing Times

Back in the 60’s Jaki Nett was known as Bunny Jaki, she used to work on the extinct L.A Playboy Club. Nowadays Jack Nett, who is in her sixties and has just published an insightful book for managing incontinence.

The book is entitled A Crack in the Mask: The Felt Sense Method® A Humanistic Approach for Managing Incontinence, Highlighted by the Memories of a Woman Who Has Been There, an exceptionally well presented book, from its beautifully illustrated, deep blue cover to the photos of anatomy and yoga asanas.

Wrote in a very personal tone, the book gives voice to incontinence, a human voice that adds a warm feeling to it. All the knowledge and techniques described came for Jaki’s own journey of regaining control over her bladder.

In her years fighting to regaining control of her bladder she developed a technique that she named The Felt Sense Method®, an approach that teaches how to consciously contact and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor for overcoming urinary incontinence  and for improving conditions of vaginal laxity.

The book is presented in a manner that is interesting and understandable to the lay person. The chapters are interlaced and supported with personal stories, which I found quite novel and very refreshing. Overall, a must read for anyone dealing with incontinence, be it on personal level or helping loved ones overcome this ever so common condition.

Learning about bladder weakness can help you manage it better. You’ll also learn that there’s a lot of misunderstandings and myths about bladder weakness. For example, you probably didn’t realise just how common it is. We listed 6 of the most common facts and myths so you have a better understanding of bladder weakness and how common it is and how it can easily be managed.

Bladder weakness only affects older people

Myth. Whether you’re young or older, a man or a woman, it makes little difference. Anyone can experience bladder weakness at any age. Often it’s a side effect of pregnancy and many young sportswomen have it too. So it is not necessarily an age thing.

Pelvic floor exercises can help women regain control

Fact. In cases of Stress Incontinence (the leaks experienced when laughing, coughing, etc.) these exercises can have a success rate of up to 70%. The good news is that it’s never too late to start and you don’t need to be athletic to benefit.

No one I know has bladder weakness

Myth. Are you sure they’d tell you? Bladder weakness is very common and you are certainly not alone. In fact, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men experience it at some point in their lives, so it would be surprising if none of your friends had ever had it. Perhaps they have just discovered how to stay fresh and confident.

It’s my fault I’ve got bladder weakness

Myth. It’s no more your fault than, say, the size of your feet! Some people are just more prone to bladder weakness than others. Often it’s to do with weaker pelvic floor muscles. Ultimately, it’s just another bodily function and the good news is that there are steps you can take to minimise its impact on your life.

I guess my days of wearing tight jeans or slinky dresses are over

Myth. Not unless you want them to be. Products for bladder weakness now range from the equivalent of a pantyliner to larger sizes – to meet your needs and physique. In fact, to get a similar level of absorbency from a sanitary towel you’d have to go two sizes bigger, and even then they are not designed to retain the urine or tackle odour. So rather than hang up your party clothes, visit our Female Incontinence Products page to see just how small you can go.

Sanitary pads are more discreet than bladder weakness protection

Myth. Because bladder weakness protection is specifically designed to absorb and retain urine, they are two sizes smaller than the equivalent absorbency level of sanitary towel and more secure. So, they are actually more discreet. And, because they have an Odour Control mechanism – specially designed to eliminate the ammonia released by the bacteria in urine – they have the added benefit of being discreet in terms of odour as well as size.

Got questions about female incontinence and bladder weakness? Leave them on our comments section below or if you prefer to ask in confidence then you can email our Nurse specialist Shona, by clicking on the link below, we will endeavour to answer your questions as quickly as possible but if the answer is complex then we may need to ask you some specific questions before a response is given.

Ask Shona

Please note that all advice can only be considered as an opinion based upon the information you supply and that we are unable to provide any form of diagnosis or advice specific to your condition. We highly recommend that you always consult your GP, Practice Nurse or Continence Advisor.

Learning about bladder weakness can help you manage it better. You’ll also learn that there’s a lot of misunderstandings and myths about bladder weakness. For example, you probably didn’t realise just how common it is. We listed 6 of the most common facts and myths so you have a better understanding of bladder weakness and how common it is and how it can easily be managed.

Bladder weakness basically means you’re unclean

This is a myth. No one should have to feel damp or unclean. The most usual way to avoid this is to use a bladder weakness protection product, which ensures dryness by locking urine and odour away from the body for complete freshness and discretion.

It has nothing to do with virility

Actually, this is true. Bladder weakness in itself does not affect virility, and leakage doesn’t usually happen during sex. So, unless you’ve experienced nerve damage due to surgery or have other underlying problems, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a full and happy sex life.

No one I know has bladder weakness

Bladder weakness is surprisingly common, with 1 in 8 men experiencing it, so you may well know someone who has it. Perhaps they’ve just chosen to keep it to themselves and have discovered products that provide total security and discretion.

If you really try, you can control it

This is a false affirmation. No one is deliberately incontinent. There are numerous causes and types of bladder weakness, and there are incontinence products especially designed so that men can manage the situation and get on with their lives.

Bladder weakness means you can’t drive long distances

With the right protection you can drive wherever and whenever you like. So rip up the map and go explore. There’s no need to worry about unexpected traffic jams or not being near a toilet.

Bladder weakness is a sign of old age

Another myth about male incontinence – just like women, millions of men experience bladder weakness at some time during their life, often when they’re under 50.

Got questions about male incontinence and bladder weakness? Leave them on our comments section below or if you prefer to ask in confidence then you can email our Nurse specialist Shona, by clicking on the link below, we will endeavour to answer your questions as quickly as possible but if the answer is complex then we may need to ask you some specific questions before a response is given.

Ask Shona
Please note that all advice can only be considered as an opinion based upon the information you supply and that we are unable to provide any form of diagnosis or advice specific to your condition. We highly recommend that you always consult your GP, Practice Nurse or Continence Advisor.

A new study confirms that women who have incontinence during pregnancy are more likely than other women to have the problem after giving birth as well. The good news, researchers say, is that there are ways for women to reduce their risk.

In a study of more than 1,100 first-time mothers, Spanish researchers found that 39% reported urinary incontinence, or urine leakage, at some point during pregnancy. Another 10% said they had anal incontinence, which included uncontrolled passage of gas or stool.

These women were more likely than those without incontinence during pregnancy to have symptoms seven weeks after giving birth.

Overall, 16% of women in the study had urinary incontinence seven weeks after giving birth, while 7% had anal incontinence.

The risks for women who have had these problems during pregnancy were three and six times greater, respectively, compared with women who had remained continent during pregnancy.

The study, reported in the journal Obstetrics & Gynaecology, also confirmed that vaginal childbirth carries greater risks compared with caesarean section. Women who had a vaginal delivery were three times more likely than those who had a C-section to have urinary or anal incontinence after childbirth.

Of 692 women who had a vaginal delivery and responded to questionnaires seven weeks after childbirth, 139 reported symptoms of urinary incontinence and 57 reported anal incontinence.

The findings confirm vaginal delivery and incontinence during pregnancy as risk factors for post-childbirth incontinence, lead researcher Maite Solans-Domenech, of the Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research in Barcelona, told Reuters Health in an email.

But they also highlight potential ways to reduce the risk, according to Solans-Domenech.

For example, studies have tied excess weight gain to an increased risk of incontinence during pregnancy (in this study, it was linked to anal incontinence only). So gaining only the recommended number of pregnancy pounds may help prevent incontinence both during and after pregnancy.

In addition, exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, known as Kegel exercises, have been shown to lower the risk of pregnancy-related incontinence, Solans-Domenech noted.

As for the mode of delivery, C-sections cannot be considered solely to prevent incontinence, Solans-Domenech said.

However, she added, in cases where a woman already has risk factors for post-childbirth incontinence – such as being older than 35 or having a family history of incontinence — doctors might want to avoid using forceps or other instruments during vaginal delivery, or doing an episiotomy — an incision made to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery.

Past studies have linked instrument-assisted deliveries, particularly in conjunction with episiotomy, to an increased risk of incontinence, Solans-Domenech and her colleagues point out.

Because the current study followed-up with women only seven weeks after they gave birth, it is unclear how many women had long-term symptoms. Past research has suggested that for most women, incontinence goes away within a few months of giving birth, though for some it may become a persistent problem.

Treatments for persistent incontinence include Kegel exercises, behavioural changes (like scheduled bathroom trips), medications and, in more severe cases, surgery.

Source: Obstetrics & Gynaecology, March 2010

The Government has published the White Paper Building the National Care Service. This is a huge step towards creating a care and support system for all adults in England. The National Care Service will be fair for all and offer services free when people need them.

On the same day Imelda Redmond CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK commented on the Government’s White Paper:

“We warmly welcome these bold plans for a National Care Service of the kind that older and disabled people, their families and carers have been calling for. These proposals promise to end the social care postcode lottery and protect families from the crippling costs of care which they currently see draining their savings and putting at risk family homes.

Family carers desperately need these reforms as many are pushed to breaking point due to lack of support from the current system. This White Paper places carers at the centre of social care – recognising that a new National Care Service will not take care away from families, but would support them.

The government has recognised that the demographic challenge of an ageing population makes a National Care Service an economic imperative. Our current care system cannot meet families’ needs and has forced over 1 million people to give up work to care. Government has set out a positive vision in which the social care system supports individuals to juggle work with caring for ill or disabled relatives.

We also welcome plans for a new commission to decide how individuals pay into the proposed social insurance scheme. Given the political point scoring on these issues in recent weeks, it is vital that these questions are dealt with on a consensual basis. Although the vision is clear and ambitious, the White Paper in itself does not contain enough detail on the question of funding. The promised commission on funding must be brought forward as a matter of urgency, to deliver on the specifics, and give families confidence that the sort of care system they need will become a reality.

This White Paper sets social care at centre stage as the election looms and we look forward to care and support forming a key plank in all political parties’ manifestos.”

For those of you that would like to watch the White Paper’s launch event that happened on the 30th of March 2010 visit this link or if you prefer to read the White Paper and supporting documents please visit this link.

Men that have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are soon to have a cheaper option for treating the condition.

Medtronic has published data from a clinical study which demonstrates the efficacy of its new treatment for faecal incontinence.

The company’s InterStim Therapy was tested among 120 sufferers of the condition who had previously failed to respond to other treatment options, with the Medtronic implant helping to achieve a reduction in incontinence episodes.

This device functions by applying mild electrical stimulation to the sacral nerves controlling the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, with the aim of delivering perfect continence.

Medtronic senior vice-president and neuromodulation president Tom Tefft stated that the studies show the product’s efficacy in meeting a pressing clinical need.

He said: “InterStim Therapy has a significant impact on quality of life when few other treatment options exist.”

Earlier this month, the company was granted a recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration’s circulatory system devices panel for a new pacemaker optimised for safe use with MRI scanners.

Source: http://www.zenopa.com/news/19698987/Medtronic_reports_positive_trial_data_for_incontinence_therapy