Are you or someone you love among the millions of people managing incontinence in the U.S.? 

Wikipedia defines Urinary Incontinence, also known as involuntary urination, as any uncontrolled leakage of urine. Urinary incontinence, according to the Mayo Clinic, can be an embarrassing problem. It can range from occasionally leaking urine when coughing or sneezing to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong reaching the bathroom in time is not possible.

Types of Incontinence

An assessment by a medical professional is necessary to determine the type of incontinence and severity. Such an evaluation is usually conducted by a urologist who specializes in conditions relating to the bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys and adrenal glands. The types of incontinence include:

• Stress - Leakage of a small amount of urine due to sudden pressure on the bladder experienced when laughing, coughing, exercising or lifting heavy objects.

• Urge - A sudden "urge" to urinate that is so strong that the bathroom cannot be reached in time.

• Overflow - When the bladder fills beyond capacity and urine spills. Women may also experience the feeling of never being able to empty their bladder.

• Reflex - Involuntary urination without any sensation of a full bladder. It is possible to be completely unaware of the need to urinate when this happens.

• Functional - This results from surgery, restricted mobility, environmental barriers, medications and other health conditions.
  
  

Helpful Tips

Preventing leaks, eliminating odors and being stuck at home for fear of 'having an accident' are some common concerns experienced by those managing incontinence. The National Association for Continence (NAFC) offers a whole section on its website, Getting Started Guide for Managing Incontinence, that outlines recommendations.

The first step, NAFC suggests, is to find an immediate way to manage incontinence is with absorbent products ... even before making a doctor's appointment. Other helpful tips include:

• Watch Fluid Intake - It is important to keep a healthy balance of fluids and drink enough fluids, especially water, to avoid concentrated urine that can irritate the bladder. Drinking too much liquid is also not advised. Limit fluids to about 8 cups a day, or whatever a medical professional recommends.

• Limit Caffeine and Alcohol - Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol is a good idea when managing urinary incontinence. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics and can irritate the bladder.

• Train the Bladder - The goals of bladder training are to increase the amount of time between emptying the bladder and the amount of fluids the bladder can hold. It can diminish leakage and a sense of urgency. Be prepared to keep a voiding schedule and diary of bladder activity. 

• Consider Kegel Exercises - Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can help control incontinence. Doing these exercises regularly will help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, which may help prevent urine leaking.

• Know the Location of Nearby Restrooms - Always know where restrooms are located whenever away from home. There are a variety of useful bathroom finders available via Android and IOS platforms.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight- Being overweight can increase the incidence of urinary incontinence due to the extra weight in the abdomen. Extra pounds put added pressure on the bladder.

• Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Professional/Physician - Seek the help of a medical professional if you or someone you love is managing incontinence. Physicians and/or specialists can help diagnose, guide and recommend treatment options. 

Absorbent Products 

It may take some time to effectively manage incontinence. NAFC recommends learning about the variety of products that can help manage leaks, nighttime accidents and other symptoms. An absorbent product is key to managing incontinence, sometimes indefinitely. 

While many absorbent products can be found in local stores, consider online retailers. NorthShore Care Supply offers premium, maximum absorbency products along with convenient, discreet home delivery. NorthShore brands offer up to 3x the leak protection of retail brands.

Incontinence products include:

• Adult Diapers with Tabs

• Pull-Up Style Underwear

• Overnight Diapers

• Pads & Liners

• Male Guards

• Wipes

• Diaper Covers
  

• Mattress Protectors

• Underpads

Other Accessories

NorthShore Care Supply is committed to helping those managing incontinence by providing life-changing products and expert recommendations with compassion and understanding. With innovative technology and features to resist leakage and sagging designed for light to heavy incontinence, NorthShore has a product to meet a variety of needs and help individuals live full lives.

Browse NorthShore's full line of incontinence products or call (800) 563-0161.

Thank you so much for reading our blogs!

Did you know NorthShore has helped millions of people manage incontinence with life-changing absorbent products? It's so amazing to hear their stories.

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