Incontinence & Bed Wetting
Incontinence describes any accidental loss of control over the bladder or bowel. While it is a common problem, it is still something that people can feel quite embarrassed about when it happens. The severity of urinary incontinence can vary from occasionally releasing a small amount of urine when sneezing or coughing, to having a very strong and sudden urge to urinate before being able to get to a toilet in time. When someone loses control of their bowel this will result in the release of flatus or faeces. These events can strike people at any time of the day, whether they’re out of the house or asleep in their bed at night.
Who is affected?
There are a variety of risk factors that can lead to the development of urinary incontinence. Physical trauma from childbirth and pregnancy, age, carrying a lot of extra weight, and various neurological problems can all be reasons why someone struggles with incontinence.
Incontinence in adults
Contrary to popular belief, urinary incontinence is not a sign of aging. It is not unexpected for adults to experience incontinence as it is often a sign of an underlying health problem. More cases of incontinence are seen in women as opposed to men due to the added stress their bladder may experience through the transition of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Male incontinence can be the result of a damaged or narrowing urethra.
Another common reason for incontinence is being overweight. When someone is overweight their body carries a lot of extra body fat that can put a lot of pressure on the bladder and causes damage.
Incontinence in elderly
Our body goes through a lot of changes as we age. Muscles become weaker or overactive, our joints can hurt or swell, and glands can enlarge. With age, muscles in the bladder and urethra lose strength and can then lead to incontinence but the act of weak bladder control itself is not a sign of aging. Incontinence in the elderly is often the result of another disease or medical condition. For example; weak bladder muscles, a disease that makes it harder for the person to get to the toilet in time, or an enlarged prostate.
Special needs
Special needs consist of a wide variety of medical conditions and disabilities. Those who are special needs tend not to grow out of bedwetting and may have incontinence issues that carry on from childhood through to adulthood. Depending on the condition, a special needs person may be at a greater risk of both bowel and urinary incontinence issues.
Incontinence products for beds
If you’re looking for incontinence products for beds it can be hard to know what products will do an effective job of protecting your mattress and bedding.
Mattress protectors are quite commonly used to protect the mattress from an incontinence episode, but unfortunately many protectors do not offer full protection and can result in liquids seeping through the protector and into the mattress. Some incontinence bedding products are made of plastic that can cover the mattress and sheets to add an extra layer of protection. While these can do an ok job of preventing the mattress from absorbing the mass, they can be extremely uncomfortable to sleep on.
If you’re looking for the ultimate incontinence protector then you should consider a waterproof mattress. Regular mattresses offer little protection against spills and will soak up any mass that is leaked onto the bed. Waterproof mattresses are designed to keep any liquids or solids at surface level for easy cleaning and to eliminate stains and bad smells.
BedGuard mattresses are specifically designed so liquids and solids do not absorb into the fibres. If someone with incontinence has an accident on the bed then the mattress will be easy to clean simply by using a paper towel. BedGuard mattresses have a special treatment applied during manufacturing that eliminates the need for a mattress protector or any other uncomfortable plastic sheets.