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| Lynn Wilson |
by Lynn
Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
In
recognition of Bladder Health Week Nov. 11–15, here are some common
misconceptions about bladder incontinence and solutions for managing the
condition.
Bladder
Health Week, created by the National Association For Continence and the
American Foundation for Urologic Disease, is recognized the second full week in
November every year to encourage individuals to talk to their friends, loved
ones and health care professionals about bladder health.
One thing
we’ve learned from years of research is what matters most to caregivers is
being able to speak to someone who is knowledgeable. The women who staff our
call center, who all are current or former caregivers with years of training,
often hear from people who think they simply have to accept incontinence as
part of getting older, which is not true.
Here are five
common myths about bladder incontinence:
Myth: Loss of
bladder control is a normal part of aging. It’s not true people are destined to
experience urine leakage once they reach a certain age. Although pelvic floor
muscles may weaken over time, they can be strengthened, just like other muscles
in the body.
Myth: People
with bladder incontinence just have to live with it. In many cases, urinary
incontinence is temporary, such as after childbirth or prostate surgery, and
treatable with Kegel exercises, bladder retraining, surgery or medications,
like over-the-counter patches for overactive bladder. In all cases, bladder
incontinence is manageable with the right products and lifestyle changes.
Myth: Adult
diapers are the only option for managing incontinence. New products offer
discreet comfortable protection that’s more like regular underwear, such as
Depend Silhouette for Women and Prevail Boxers for Men. Try an Incontinence Product Finder to narrow down hundreds of choices by gender, size, absorbency,
style and price.
Myth: It’s
necessary to spend a lot of money trying products. According to Wilson, the
first-time buyer of incontinence products spends an average of $130 in
trial-and-error purchases, which is why she created the Try Before You Buy sample service. Customers can order a sample pack of more than 100 different
incontinence products available from The CareGiver Partnership.
Myth: Nothing
can be done to improve bladder health. Urinary incontinence is sometimes
reversible and always manageable. Simple lifestyle changes that can help
include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, limiting caffeine and
alcohol, treating urinary tract infections and high blood pressure, and
preventing constipation. Fluid intake can be reduced after working with a
health care provider to determine the proper amount.
For more
information on the types of incontinence, how to change products, skin health and much more, visit our Incontinence page.
About
The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their
loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information
about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of
Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web
site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most
important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to
prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for
incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The
CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit
http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353. Help
support this ad-free blog by answering several questions about caregiving here. It will take just two minutes.
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