If you are incontinent, or you are caring for someone with incontinence, you know that it can be difficult to maintain a “daily routine”.  While Medical West does provide an extensive selection of adult diapers, booster pads, underwear, and skin care products to help manage incontinence, we also like to provide insights that will help you make important daily decisions about your health.

Today we want to list on some of the common bladder irritants that are lurking in our world.  While there is no specific diet that is a magic cure for incontinence, there are foods that can affect bladder control.  If you have questions, please contact your physician; as not all of these foods and drinks may affect you and there may be some foods that do affect you that did not make this non-comprehensive list.  The list is derived from the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Prevail, and the Medical West nurses.  If you have any questions about the products that can help manage incontinence, please feel free to give Medical West a call at 1.800.489.1888 and ask for the incontinence department.

Tomatoes and tomato products
Citrus fruits & juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon, and cranberries)
Coffee – decaf & regular
Tea – black, green, and herbal
Carbonated beverages
Alcohol
Chocolate
Artificial Sweeteners
Spicy foods
Honey
Sugar

There are six types of incontinence and it is important to be able to identify which type is affecting you or a loved one.  It also helps to be able to identify the types because it can help determine the right product(s) to use.  Let’s say you call one of our healthcare professionals and you are trying to buy an adult diaper or brief.  Knowing your incontinence type or being able to describe your symptoms helps us figure out what products would be best.  Remember, if you have questions, feel free to give us a call at 1.800.489.1888.  We would be happy to help you talk things out and figure out what products would best help you.  If you already know your type, and are ready to order your products, click here to head to our homepage to find your products!

1. Stress Incontinence
1. Involuntary loss of a few drops of urine
2. Occurs during laughing, sneezing, coughing, or other exertions
3. Common Causes: pregnancy, childbirth, pelvic surgery/trauma, weak pelvic muscles
2. Urge Incontinence
1. You know that you need to get to a restroom
2. Feeling occurs frequently and it is strong
3. Can’t hold it long enough to make it to the toilet
4. Common Causes: bladder infection/irritation, tumors, stones
3. Reflex Incontinence
1. You can’t even tell that you need to go until it’s too late
2. Common Causes: strokes, brain injury or trauma, spinal cord injuries
4.  Overflow Incontinence
1. Leaking occurs when your bladder is full
2. You may feel have that dribbling feeling
3. The frequency and you urgency to go will increase
4. Common Causes: medications (check with your physician & pharmacist), obstructions in the urethra, neurological conditions (check with your physician), Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
5. Functional Incontinence
1. Immobility or cognitive impairment hinders ability to get to a toilet
2. You or your loved one’s fall risk in the bathroom is high
3. Bathroom is inaccessible
4. Common Causes: cognitive impairment, functional disability, psychological issues, environmental issues
6. Mixed Incontinence
1. The symptoms can include a combination of any of the other 5 types of incontinence

Over the past year, you may have noticed a new direction in the development of adult diapers and liners.  It seems as though there is an increasing number of products that are now marketed as “gender specific”.  With a different cut for men and women, and different areas for absorption, it would seem that the companies have finally figured out that there actually is a difference in the way men and women need to protect themselves and their clothing!

It’s a pretty safe bet that men do not want to wear an adult diaper or underwear liner/guard designed for a woman, and why would a woman want to wear a diaper that does not make her comfortable and does not fit correctly?  By having the items marketed as “designed for women” or “designed for men” it allows the manufacturer to demand more shelf space and it makes the products more appealing.

If you would like to purchase a gender specific item for a loved one; we recommend that you first give us a call at 1.800.489.1888 and request a FREE sample to try before you buy.  We will work with you or your loved one to determine if the coverage is correct, the comfort level is acceptable.  Also, below are a few links to some of the gender specific products that are available on our website.

For more information, and to talk with one of the Medical West healthcare professionals (including our nurses), give us a call at 1.800.489.1888 or click here to send us an email!  Remember, to save even more money, make sure you sign up for our Personal Options Program (click here for more info).  You will save 5% on your order and can setup a convenient reorder schedule.  As always, our products are shipped direct-to-your door in discreet packaging.

For Men – Call & ask for Mark
Acticuf
Attends Guards For Men
Depend Underwear Variety Pack – For Men
Prevail Guards For Men
TENA For Men
TENA – Men’s Underwear (Super Plus Absorbency)

For Women – Call & ask for Helen
Depend Underwear For Women
Depend Underwear Variety Pack – For Women
TENA – Women’s Underwear (Super Plus Absorbency)

Reminder Before Reading…Use coupon code “mwir” to save $8.00

With the holiday season starting tomorrow, families will soon gather to celebrate.  We all know that for relatives traveling by plane, the holidays can mean long security lines, and frustration.  For those with incontinence, a certain level of intimidation can also accompany the trip to see the grand kids.  Getting a “pat down” by a burly security guard is one thing, but the threat of having to undergo a search while wearing adult diapers, or even having a pack of adult diapers exposed in a carry on bag can be embarrassing.

This year, help out a family member and have their diapers, underpads, or pantiliners delivered (discreetly) to your home; ready and waiting for them.  Skip the hassle of trying to figure out the right product, or correct absorbency level while roaming the aisle of your grocery or drug store.  Many times, the selection is very limited and do you really want to run out Christmas eve to get another bag if you run out?  Instead of throwing your money at the problem and hoping for the best, ask your loved the questions below, then go to www.medicalwest.com, and find the product that will best suit their needs.  If you need help, feel free to give us a call at 1.800.489.1888.  We will be more than happy to help you determine the right product…and we’ll ship it to your house for FREE!

Questions to ask your loved one… Make it easy for everyone!

1. What brand are you using?
2. What is your waist measurement?
3. What information is listed on the front of the bag?
4. What absorbency level do you need?
5. Can you locate the product code?

We will do our best to get you what you need for their visit and these may also prove to be a good gift for your relative too – We offer FREE shipping, discreet packaging, and NO TAX outside of Missouri.

Here are a few links to help with sizing.  If you need additional help, you can call us at 1.800.489.1888.

http://www.medicalwest.com/size-charts-tena
http://www.medicalwest.com/size-charts-tranquility
http://www.medicalwest.com/size-charts-prevail
http://www.medicalwest.com/size-charts-attends

The healthcare professionals at Medical West wish you and your family
a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa.

Below are seven tips from our nurses regarding the proper way to wear adult diapers.  If you need assistance, please feel free to call us at 1.800.489.1888
or send us an email by clicking here.

1. Level of Absorbency: Some adult diapers are made to be worn during the day, while others are designed for overnight use.  Making sure that the adult diaper that is worn can absorb the correct amount.  This will help to stop leaks and embarrassing accidents.

2. Size: An adult diaper that is too large is a disaster waiting to happen!  The adult diaper can gap at the waist and legs causing leaks.  Adult diapers that are too small can be very uncomfortable, harder to change when soiled, and can prevent the skin from being able to breath properly (which can cause skin irritation).

3. Odor Control: When not being able to change an adult diaper if a bathroom is not available, some choose to wear adult diapers that have odor control.  Having the added protection of odor control gives peace of mind to many that wear adult diapers.

4. Female Adult Diapers: Women that have bladder control issues need different protection then men.  Many companies now make adult diapers that have added protection in between the leg portion of the adult diaper, to absorb excess urine right wear most women need the extra protection.

5. Male Adult Diapers: Adult diapers that are made especially for men have more absorbency protection in the front part of the diaper.  The added absorbency at the front of the adult diaper helps reduce the chance of a leak.

6. Adhesive Tabs: Even though some adult diapers are made with snap fasteners on the sides, adhesive tabs are a much better choice.  Adhesive tabs can be adjusted for a one of a kind fit, while snaps are stationary and leave no room for adjustment.

7. Material: Adult diapers can be made out of synthetic materials and all natural products.  Personal preferences is a determining factor in selection process.

Welcome! Thanks for checking out the new Medical West blog. Here at Medical West we have a wide array of healthcare professionals, that, are more than happy to provide great insights about the products we offer on our website and the services we provide in our retail locations. Check back often, as great content will be going up!