Why it is important to get enough fluids if you have urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and embarrassing for both the patient and family and friends. Often times people will reduce the amount of fluid intake to help control incontinence leakage. It might seem logival to prevent accidents, but it doesn't.

When a person does not get enough fluids it can actually cause urine odor to increase and get stronger. I was recently speaking with my friend about her mothers "unspoken about issue" and she was commenting on the strong smell like ammonia that was always present. She was worried that it was fecal or bowel incontinence and didn't realize that that was a strong and offensive urine related odor. We discussed two factors: 

1. Choosing the right incontinence protection item is important. My friend was fairly certain her mother was using a feminine hygiene pad rather than an incontinence garment.
2. She didn't think that her mother was drinking much other than her morning cups of coffee and as little as possible the rest of the day. 

Both of these factors were probably contributing to the odor and probably not helping. Also, the reduction in fluid intake was not helping control the incontinence leakage.

Generally speaking, drinking plenty of water in small amounts during the day can actually help leakage and improve bladder control as well as help reduce odors. 8 ounces with meals, sipping water between meals, and limiting liquids a couple of hours before bedtime can help. Avoiding or reducing caffeinated beverages, citric juices and carbonated beverages can also help. 

All of this is general information to help ensure a person is getting enough fluids and not avoiding it to reduce urinary incontinence. My mothers friend, as well as anybody reading this that is experiencing urinary incontinence, should talk to their doctor or healthcare provider. Information like this is very generally and should never be construed as medical advice. Click here to go to a previous article regarding how to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about incontinence.

There are many actions and steps individuals dealing with urinary incontinence can improve their situation.

Incontinence pads or feminine hygiene pads?

Many people may be incorrectly using feminine hygiene menstrual pads for urinary incontinence protection. While these pads may look very similar and provide area coverage that is similar, they do in fact provide very different types of protection and serve a different purpose. The question is which is best or simply put - incontinence pads vs menstrual pads?

Incontinence pads are also commonly known by many different names including bladder control pads, liners, urinary pads, and incontinence shields. These pads are designed with varying degrees of fluid absorption capabilities. The protection level is provided by the materials and fabrics used in the manufacturing of the pads as well as the size of the pad. Technology has improved in many of these areas that allow the use of materials such as superabsobent microbeads that provide superior absorbency while minimizing pad thickness and size.

Feminine menstrual pads, or sanitary napkins, are designed specifically to absorb blood that is slow or in a trickle. Incontinence pads are designed specifically to absorb and provide protection and peace of mind with involuntary loss of urine. They are simply not designed to handle the chemical make up and composition of urine.

Incontinence pads also are designed absorb and disperse urine quickly. They also help provide odor control associated with urine as well as the fluid absorbency. The structure of the pads helps keep skin dry and healthy by pulling the urine away from the skin into the pad core.

There are pads available specifically for men, women or either. Some pads have adhesive strips or patches to held the pads in place where protection is needed most and some do not have adhesive and are held in place simply by special undergarments or underwear. There are even pads known as booster pads that are designed to be used with other incontinence products to increase their absorbency and reduce changing of protective underwear or adult diapers.

In conclusion, feminine pads are designed specifically for use in the absorption of a slow trickle of blood for the female menstrual cycle. Incontinence pads are designed to accommodate the faster flow and absorption, as well as the chemical composition, of urine. Both are designed for unique purposes and specific kinds of protection. Your best option for urinary incontinence protection is an incontinence pad is designed specifically for this need. 

What is the name of specific Vitamins?

Vitamins are organic substances made by animals or plants that are an essential part of nutrition for a healthy body. Vitamins are required by the body to grow and develop normally. Normally a person consumes vitamins by consuming a variety of foods. If the body is deficient of these vitamins it may be necessary to supplement foods with vitamins in a pill form.

Please note that you should always check with your doctor before taking any product - including vitamins and minerals.

So what is Vitamin B, C Retinol, Riboflavin, etc. There are many names bouncing around out there and here is a chart to help simplify and identify what Vitamin matches its other name. We have broken this down into two sections: Water-Soluble Vitamins and Fat-Soluble Vitamins.

Water Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin B1

• Thamine
• Thiamin
• Aneruine

Vitamin B2

• Riboflavin

Vitamin B3

• Niacin
• Niacinamide
• Nicotinamide
• Nicotinic Acid

Vitamin B5

• Pantothenic Acid

Vitamin B6

• Pyridoxine
• Pyridoxal
• Pyridoxamine

Vitamin B7

• Biotin

Vitamin B9

• Folic Acid

Vitamin B12

• Cobalamin
• Cyanocobalamin
• Cobamide

Vitamin C

• Absorb Acid

Fat Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamin A

• Beta Carotene

Vitamin D

• Cholecalciferol

Vitamin E

• Tocopherols
• Tocotrienols

Vitamin K

• Phylloquinone
• Menaquinones

Many people get enough of their daily vitamins from their regular food intake. For people that don't or can't, Vitamin supplements are readily available in many forms to ensure you get your daily allowances.

Kimberly Clark Healthcare is now Halyard Health

Kimberly Clark Health Care products are now Halyard Health products. The name has changed, but they are the same great products with the same dependable quality.

The transition on these products will occur over the next 24 months. These changes include new packaging and product branding, but the products will remain the same.

Products formerly Kimberly Clark Health Care that are transition to Halyard Health include:

• Medical exam gloves
• Patient care products
• Facial & Respiratory products
• Hand hygiene products
• Protective Apparel
• PPE dispensers
• Surgical gowns
• Sterilization solutions
• Surgical drapes, packs and equipment covers
• Surgical accessories
• Advanced Wound Care Dressings
• Plus many other products

Over the course of the transition products will begin to ship in the new packaging as existing inventories of Kimberly Clark Health Care products decline. But rest assured that products have not changed and will continue to be the high quality excellent products that were available in the past.

How to Change an Adult Diaper Step by Step

Changing an adult diaper for the first time may be a bit uncomfortable for all involved. The key is to remain calm and respectful and ensure that the patient is provided with dignity, comfort, and the best possible care.

There are several situations to consider when changing an adult diaper. The first thing to do is to determine how the patient will be positioned during the diaper change. Will they be lying down, sitting, or standing up. We will provide a basic outline for each position below. It will probably seem naturally uncomfortable to perform this task at first - for both caregiver and patient, but over time it should become easier for all involved.

An adult diaper is also known as a brief. For simple clarification we will use the term diaper to describe the garment in this how-to change an adult diaper guide. This is a general guide to assist those confronted with adult diaper change for the first time. Slight product variations and types may require slight modifications to the process.

Steps to change an adult diaper for patient that is lying down:

1. Roll person gently onto their side. Place diaper with the flap folded under nearest to the body.
2. Roll the person gently back and unfold flap.
3. Go to final steps for all positions listed below.

Steps to change an adult diaper for patient that is sitting down:

1. Open diaper and place backing/ plastic cover against the back of the chair
2. Position person onto the diaper.
3. Go to final steps for all positions listed below.

Steps to change an adult diaper for patient that is standing up:

1. While person is standing have them hold onto something for support to ensure they don’t fall.
2. Place a clean diaper between the persons legs from front to back.
3. Go to final steps for all positions listed below.

Final Steps for all Positions

1. Pull diaper firmly, pulling it out and then up. The diaper should fit snugly in the groin. Gently smooth the front.
2. Fasten bottom tabs first, angled up. (if using a single tab diaper then pull across and up)
3. Fasten top tabs pointing down for best fit.
4. If diaper has hook and loop tabs you will want to give a slight tug to the anchor hooks in the back cover fibers.
5. Adjust the diaper by pulling the folds of the inner thigh down and fitting the brief into the groin.
6. Adjust the outer garments.

It may take a few tries to get your diaper changing system down for the individual patient. The key is to make sure the diaper is snug without any bunching or gaps that will allow leakage.

Introducing the All New Tena Dry Comfort Briefs and Protective Underwear

SCA Tena is a leading manufacturer of adult incontinence products known for their absorbency, comfort and most of all quality. They have just introduced a new line of economically priced Adult Diapers (briefs) and Protective Underwear called Tena Dry Comfort.

We are very excited to launch these new high quality low price point incontinence products. It is a great product line for people that are looking for value, quality and comfort.

Here is more information on each of these great new incontinence products from SCA Tena

Tena Dry Comfort Briefs Adult Diapers

• Provides moderate incontinence protection
• For use with urinary/ bladder and/or bowel/ fecal incontinence
• Comfortable and flexible fit
• Readjustable hook fasteners for perfect fit
• Controls odors
• Curved leg elastics for close and leak proof fit
• Wetness indicator on outside of diaper
• Available to fit waist/hip sizes from 34” up-to 64”
• Tena product codes 67620, 67640, and 67650

Tena Dry Comfort Protective Underwear

• Provides moderate incontinence protection
• For use with urinary/ bladder and/or bowel/ fecal incontinence
• Pull on and off like regular underwear
• Thin, yet highly absorbent
• Tear away sides for easy removal
• Available for waist/hip sizes from 34” up-to 66”
• Tena product codes 72422, 72423, and 72424

Be sure to check out the new Tena Dry Comfort line of incontinence products If you are in the market for high quality adult diaper or protective underwear.

Best Spray Deodorizers for Urine Smell

We are frequently asked what is the best room deodorizer to help with the smell of urine or feces. There are many great products available to help create a clean smelling environment. The best deodorizers for this purpose will actually be the type used by hospitals and care environments that neutralize odors rather than simply putting a strong pleasant fragrances over offensive odors.

Keeping a room or home pleasant and fresh smelling is vital to both caregivers and patients. Using a high quality deodorizer in one step in the process to maintain a pleasant environment. In addition to deodorizers, it is important to keep surfaces clean, patients clean and keep soiled linens put away in sealed containers.

But, back to the original question of what room deodorizers work best for urine or feces odors. Incontinence Products Plus offers a wide selection of products in this category. These are not simply fragrances to cover, but odor neutralizers. Here are some of the most popular with our customers that simply require a couple of squirts from the spray mist bottles to help control offensive odors:

Medi-Air Biological Odor Eliminator Room Deodorizer Spray - This is a concentrated spray formula the chemically eliminates odors. It comes available in several scents including unscented, fresh air and lemon. This product eliminates odors extremely well is a popular mainstay of health care facilities and home users alike. The lemon and fresh air scents leave a light pleasant smell.

M9 Odor Eliminator - This deodorizer is available in unscented or apple scent. This product is popular for odor control for incontinence and/or osmotic associated odors.

ByeBye Odor Room Deodorizer - This deodorizers neutralizes odors completely and leave a very light pleasant scent. Perfect for use in homes, hospitals and public restrooms. The low cost makes it a popular options for office restrooms as well as healthcare facilities.

AprilFresh Biological Odor Eliminator - This is another popular room deodorizer that is relatively inexpensive and does a great job. It also leave behind a fresh scent that lingers after use.

Ease Odor Eliminator - This also eliminates odors and leaves behind a gentle rose scent. This is a popular deodorizer that is popular for use in homes with urine or fecal odor. It is also used for other airborne odors such as smoke.

We have many deodorizers for use in rooms to help make the house more pleasant for everyone. The key is to use a deodorizer that neutralizes and eliminates odors rather than simply covering them up with other smells.