What you need to know about incontinence
Courtesy Mika Bradford, Collin County LIVING WELL Magazine
These days, people are living longer and the quality of life they expect to live is also increasing. Sitting at home in a sedentary lifestyle is no longer assumed or expected of adults as they transition into their 50s, 60s and 70s. Staying fit and healthy is easier than ever before with more information available regarding health conditions, nutrition, medications and daily living supports. Some health conditions were once thought as being too taboo to discuss with friends or in public. Issues like depression, erectile dysfunction and bladder control difficulties are now being discussed regularly in advertisements seen on TV, in print and online. Of course, just because we are seeing advertisements and information about these personal health concerns doesn’t necessarily mean we are comfortable with asking questions about medications or products used to address them. While Viagra, Cialis and Lexapro are medications most people have heard of, along with the conditions they treat, many people with bladder control issues are not aware of the selection of under garments and medications that are available to improve their quality of life.
Bladder control issues, also known as incontinence, result in a lack of control over when you need to urinate. This condition affects nearly 25 million Americans. Despite its prevalence, some people still keep bladder control issues a secret because of social perceptions, embarrassment and from not realizing how common it actually is. This can cause both men and women to be uncomfortable asking for information, solutions and the support they need to address bladder incontinence. Bladder control issues are caused by a variety of things, including weak bladder muscles, pregnancy and childbirth in women, complications from surgery, stroke or chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MA) and Parkinson’s disease. Other diseases that affect bladder nerves or the spinal cord, like diabetes, can also cause bladder control issues. In men, serious conditions like prostate cancer can also play a role in the development of bladder control issues.
It’s most common in people over 50 years old, but it can also affect young people. Bladder control issues can affect anyone––not just older people. Other health conditions like prostate cancer also play a role in the development of bladder control issues in men. According to Johns Hopkins Health Alert on incontinence, bladder control issues are a common side effect of prostate cancer treatment, which may irritate the urethra or bladder, or damage the muscles that prevent urine from flowing out of the bladder.
As you can imagine, if you or a friend has struggled with this condition, you know firsthand how it can limit a person’s level of physical activity or participation in social events and sports. Many men and women keep their bladder control issues a secret because it’s a condition that can take away one’s sense of normalcy, cause embarrassment and lower self-confidence. For this reason, many companies like the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, manufacturers of DEPEND®, adult incontinence products, have continued to develop new and innovative undergarments that provide consumers with great protection and help give them the confidence they need to lead normal, active lives. DEPEND® offers a variety of absorbent underwear for men and women in various absorbency levels, and guards for men, all of which provide outstanding protection and worry free odor control. In recognizing that people living with bladder control issues want a discreet solution that gives them the confidence to lead their normal lifestyle, DEPEND® introduced the Silhouette for Women and Real Fit for Men absorbent briefs. The DEPEND®, Real Fit® and Silhouette® Underwear are products that look, fit and feel like real underwear, featuring a cloth-like fabric for a sleek, ultra smooth fit and underwear-like comfort.
Whether you’re at work, enjoying a round of golf or out for an evening on the town, undergarments like these will allow you to focus on enjoying any activity you’re doing without worrying about leaks or excessive bulk under your clothes. Experience these groundbreaking products and help restore the confidence and active lifestyle you can have when living with bladder control issues.
Mika Bradford is a certified nutritionist and pharmacy technician. Mika has spent over a decade working in the manufacturing, retail and the clinical application of nutritional supplements. She has worked closely with clients facing a wide range of health issues, including those with special needs and long-term health conditions. If you have questions for Mika, you may contact her at mbradford@doughertys.com or 817-705-7221.
