Internet makes it easy to obtain incontinence products
The internet is playing an increasingly important role in British consumers’ lives as it allows people to search for information on things such as incontinence pads and carry out other tasks.
According to research from Comet, searching for discounts and deals is the most popular internet activity among UK consumers, 84.38 per cent of whom go online to do this.
Indeed, web-savvy carers or people suffering from incontinence can benefit from the internet when it comes to obtaining pads and other products designed to deal with bladder problems.
Sites such as allaboutincontinence.co.uk can not only allow them to easily get quality incontinence products from the likes of Tena, Lil/lille, Ganmill and Kanga, but also purchase them from the comfort of their homes.
As well as having the products discreetly delivered direct to their doorstep, people buying from the site can also get more information about incontinence and how to manage it from the online shop free of charge.
GP Dr Chris Steele comment on prostate cancer
In today’s Daily Mirror, TV GP Dr. Chris Steel talks about symptoms and treatments for Prostrate Cancer. This is a topic rarely covered but of considerably importance to many men, especially as they age.
Chris commented “The older men get, the more at risk they are to getting prostate cancer.
If a man is over 65, needs the loo more than twice a night and they have a slow start when going to the toilet, it is something that should be looked at.
One of the final symptoms is dribbling at the end of urinating. These symptoms all suggest an enlarged prostate.
If a man walked into my surgery and described this, a blood test and rectal examination would show if it is cancer. Most men leave it for far too long to visit their GP and that really needs to change.
There are several treatments for prostate cancer, from chemotherapy and radiotherapy to surgery.
Two major problems can arise from surgery – erectile dysfunction and incontinence, caused when the nerves that supply the penis with blood are cut and damaged.
Furthermore, in my experience, it’s been the fear of becoming incontinent that worries most men, but it is a consequence that is often avoided.”
Although continence is often a problem experienced initially this can be managed simply with the correct products and within a short time period the symptoms will clear out as the treatment takes effect.
Continence nurse advice cuts the risk of dermatitis
Using absorbent products and a structured skin care regimen can reduce the risk of dermatitis in patients with urinary incontinence, say researchers.
Dermatitis risk was cut even further in patients who also recieved advice from continence nurses.
The study looked at 63 people with urinary incontinence with an average age of 84 years who lived in a nursing home.
Continence nurse intervention also improved the mean number of absorbent product used per day and reduced the daily production of waste generated by the home.
The researchers said: “Results of this study suggest that a multi-intervention program, including introduction of new absorbent products, a structured skin hygiene program, and advice from continence nurses, reduce the relative risk of IAD, absorbent product use, and generation of waste materials.”
Incontinence pads offer freedom
Innovative incontinence products are enabling people across the globe to get on with their lives without worrying too much about their condition by keeping their condition in check.
There are different types of products on the markets ranging from incontinence pads designed specifically for men or women to unisex pants and those that can be used on the bed.
While the pads and pants are ideal for those moving about in or outside the house, others such as Tena Bed are specifically designed for use indoors, on the bed or in the lounge to proetect furniture.
The convenient disposable bed incontinence pads can be used either as direct bed pads or furniture protection pads and can also provide additional incontinence protection to the ones worn on the body.
With the condition being a sensitive issue for many people, those keen on purchasing these products will be glad to hear that internet shops belonging to specialist retailers of incontinence products allow them to buy them discreetly should they want to.
Pilates could help manage incontinence
A physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph pilates could be beneficial to pregnant women concerned about issues such as back pain and incontinence, it has been stated.
Even though it can be difficult to achieve, staying in shape during pregnancy is vital and pilates is an ideal way of staying fit as it is a gentler form of exercise that is just as effective as others, reports the Irish Independent.
Apart from helping expectant women keep their body healthy throughout pregnancy, pilates can help deal with other issues, including incontinence and labour, according to one expert.
Chartered physiotherapist and pilates instructor Adeline O’Dowd explained to the newspaper that “two thirds of women experience some form of incontinence ante- and post-natally”.
This is because pregnancy places great strain on the pelvic floor, which controls bladder and bowel continence, and one of the things pilates focuses on is how to strengthen this muscle.
Incontinence pads and pants, which are available in various designs, could help new mothers suffering from leakage manage their condition until they recover.
Incontinence can be tackled with lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes is one of the ways to tackle incontinence using treatments that do not involve medication or surgery, those using incontinence products may want to know.
Urinary incontinence is a common problem affecting more than 50 million people in the developed world alone, according to the NHS, and in continence pads and pants play a vital role in helping people manage it.
Although the treatment given will usually depend on the type of incontinence suffered, conservative treatments including lifestyle changes, pelvic floor muscle training and bladder training are usually tried first.
The NHS states that patients may be asked to reduce their caffeine intake, cutting the amount of -tea, coffee and cola they consume to lower the amount of urine produced by the body.
Doctors may also recommend drinking six to eight glasses of fluid a day as consuming too much or too little can result in changes in the lower urinary tract.
There is a wide range of incontinence products on the market designed to cater for all types of the condition.
Online shopping allows privacy with incontinence products
Technological advancements have made it easier for people to buy incontinence products and other items on the internet, allowing them to enjoy convenience and discreteness.
Despite being a common a problem affecting millions of men and women across the globe, incontinence and bladder weakness is a sensitive issue for many people, who would rather their condition was not made public.
Specialist sellers of incontinence sheets and pads such as Allanda allow people to have their privacy by handling their purchases in “a totally discreet and confidential manner”.
Like many other reputable internet retailers, the company’s online payments are conducted “through a secure payments provider to ensure your security at all times”, states the firm.
Buying items online comes with the same protections that accompany purchasing products on the high street and Allanda is offering the same securities, which include a 30-day “no quibble guarantee”.
Furthermore, those shopping on its website can choose to pay over the telephone or by post.
Council run homes not to be sold following extension
The fate of council run care homes for older people, many of whom relying on the home to assist with incontinence management and other conditions is not to be known for another year after Suffolk County Council delayed a decision concerning their sale.
Some 16 county council run residences will now remain under the public purse following the extension, which came following a three-month consultative process, reports the BBC.
While slightly more than half (53 per cent) of respondents were in favour of selling the homes to independent care home providers, 31 per cent were against the move, the council claimed.
A total of 526 places are provided by the 16 care homes, while a further 2,300 beds are bought by the local authority in private sector homes, added the news provider.
Councillor Colin Noble told the BBC: “The key thing is that we’re spending £3 to 4 million more by providing our own homes rather than [paying for places] in the private sector.”
With many homes closing or under threat of closure it is expected that people will increasingly be cared for within their own home. This has many benefits but can also lead to isolation and incontinence management becomes a larger issue if the individual is reliant on someone to assist with product changing. At this point the selection of the correct incontinence pad, both in terms of absorption but also ease of changing becomes important. Products such as Tena Flex can assist thanks to their ease of application and also because they do not need to be removed for normal toilet use.
Washable incontinence products offer freedom for users
Millions of people around the world suffer from some form of incontinence, which is a condition involving the unintentional passing of urine due to weak bladder muscles and other factors, including medication.
However, thanks to incontinence products many of these men and women can go about their daily activity without a care or stressing about where to find the nearest toilet.
Although many incontinence products are disposable, there are others which are washable, allowing users to reuse them and not only get more value from them, but have something that could be handy in case of a shortage.
There are washable incontinence products for men, women and young children, with options incorporating a built in pad that is designed for light leakage or featuring extra absorbent material for heavy flow.
Specific designs for men or women are available, although those looking for unisex incontinence products could also obtain them at relatively similar prices to the sex specific pads.
Incontinence pads being rationed as cuts bite
The fate of incontinence products users and people with other conditions at six care homes in Northamptonshire hangs in the balance after the firm which owns the residences admitted financial difficulty, it has been revealed.
Some 129 residents of county homes, including Argyll House in Dallington, Northampton, Lucas Court in Moulton and Pytchley Court in Brixworth could be affected by the situation, reports the Northampton Chronicle.
Earlier this week care home operator Southern Cross Healthcare revealed that it was struggling to meet its rent obligations because the NHS and cash-strapped councils are not providing enough referrals.
Residents at Argyll House told the publication that cutbacks are already starting to bite as incontinence pads were being rationed, but Northamptonshire County Council said it would re-home anyone affected by possible closures.
The UK’s biggest care homes operator, Southern Cross Healthcare caters for 31,000 elderly people living in its 750 properties across the country.