Bladder or bowel leaks, commonly called incontinence, affect over 25 million Americans yearly. Incontinence is not a disease but a sign or symptom of an underlying condition, medication side effect, or lifestyle change. There are different types of bladder leaks, and understanding them can help narrow down the cause of your incontinence. Among many solutions, incontinence pads play a great role in managing incontinence.
Types of Bladder Leaks
There are several types of bladder leaks:
- Stress incontinence: the most common type, causes light bladder leakage due to pressure placed on the bladder through sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising.
- Urge incontinence: associated with overactive bladder (OAB), causes frequent and sudden urges to urinate.
- Mixed incontinence occurs when symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence are present.
- Reflex incontinence: characterized by heavy bladder leakage due to difficulty determining when to use the bathroom.
- Overflow incontinence: caused by a constantly full bladder.
- Functional incontinence occurs when a person cannot reach the bathroom in time due to immobility or cognitive impairment.
Bowel incontinence involves heavy bowel leakage and can be caused by various factors, including muscle damage, chronic constipation, or scarred rectum.
Managing Bladder and Bowel Leaks
There are various ways to manage bladder and bowel leaks, including protective hygiene products. Discussing your incontinence with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment options for your needs is important.
Improving Sleep with Incontinence Pads
Introduction
Getting a good night's sleep can be challenging if you suffer from incontinence. Incontinence bed pads are a helpful solution that can keep you dry and comfortable while sleeping.
The Best Incontinence Pads
The PREVAIL AIR- Total care Underpads are an excellent choice for the best incontinence bed pads. Designed to protect beds, chairs, and other surfaces, these pads use Dri-Bed technology to provide maximum absorption. With Integra Mat Bonded construction, these pads prevent layer separation and bunching. Their embossed poly backing is attached to the soft cloth-like top sheet with a flat seal, preventing liquids from seeping through. Each case contains ten bags, with 15 over-the-bed pads in each bag, making 150 underpads.
Who Can Benefit from Incontinence Bed Pads?
Incontinence bed pads are ideal for individuals who suffer from urinary or stool incontinence or bleeding or for children who frequently wet the bed. They can also be helpful for women recovering from childbirth, individuals who have undergone a prostatectomy, and those who have become incontinent due to dementia or a stroke.
Choosing the Right Pads
When selecting bed pads, consider cost, earth-friendliness, and convenience. Washable pads are the most cost-effective option, while disposable pads offer greater comfort. For an environmentally-friendly option, consider washable pads, while disposable pads may be more convenient for caregivers and people with mobility issues.
Other Options for Staying Dry at Night
Besides bed pads, there are other options to stay dry at night, such as wearable pads, incontinence underwear, waterproof mattress covers, and disposable fitted sheets.
Using Incontinence Pads
When using incontinence bed pads, open the packaging carefully and place the pad with the white side on the intended surface. If you need more than one pad, place them one by one, with the smooth non-glossy surface facing up on both sides. Using incontinence bed pads can help you stay dry and comfortable at night, ensuring you sleep better.