12 Things You Should Know About Incontinence ~ Something You Want To Talk About. Right?

This is a sponsored post.

I think the answer to wanting to talk about incontinence would be no! It can be an embarrassing subject, but it is a subject you need to think about and know where you can get help when needed either for yourself or a loved one.

Here are some things you should know about incontinence to help yourself or a loved one!**

1. It only happens to older people ~ False
Although incontinence risk goes up as you age, anyone can experience symptoms at any time. NAFC* surveys suggest 1 in 4 women over 18 leak urine involuntarily, and one-third of men and women ages 30 to 70 have lost bladder control at some point as adults.

2. Sounds or thoughts can trigger trouble ~ True
It's not only coughing, laughing, or jumping up and down that can cause people to leak urine; about 3 out of 10 people with incontinence have urge incontinence, which is different from stress incontinence. "The simplest way to think of urge incontinence is as a miscommunication or a failure between the brain and the spinal cord," says Dr. Margolis. A sudden and uncontrollable need to urinate can be brought on, for example, by the sound of running water, drinking a small amount of liquid, or being confronted with a locked door.

3. You're the only one who has it ~ False
Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people worldwide, and experts estimate that 25 million adult Americans experience occasional or chronic symptoms. Of those people, 9 to 13 million have bothersome, severe symptoms, estimates the NAFC.

4. Bladder trouble is inevitable with aging or childbirth ~ False
One-third of men and women ages 30 to 70 believe that incontinence is a normal part of aging, according to the NAFC, and a third of women believe that it's due to childbirth. That's far from the truth, says Muller. Aging and childbirth do increase the risk, but they aren't always related. "I've known plenty of women who have had 9-pound babies delivered vaginally and do not end up incontinent, and plenty of people who are 90 years old and have control over their bladder."

5. It's normal to leak a little urine ~ False
If incontinence comes on gradually, people often don't think of the leakage as a medical problem. Women tend to associate symptoms with their menstrual period and use feminine hygiene products to control them, says Muller. "They don't see a doctor until overactive bladder kicks in as well, and they're rushing to the toilet and sometimes can't make it in time."

6. You should drink as little as possible ~ False
Avoiding liquids completely might seem like the logical way to prevent accidents, but it won't. In fact, drinking plenty of water—in small doses throughout the day—can actually help stop leakage, improve bladder control, and reduce odor.

7. It's embarrassing but not serious ~ False
"Urinary incontinence, in and of itself, is not going to kill you," says Dr. Margolis. "And it's not going to shorten your life. It will, however, make your life miserable." Fear of an accident (and self-consciousness about odors) can inhibit the desire to have sex, socialize, or leave the house—which can contribute to loneliness and depression. Complications are also possible: People with severe cases can get skin rashes and irritation. And for the elderly, frequent bathroom trips can up the risk for falls.

8. It's rarely a problem in men ~ False
About 20% to 25% of Americans with incontinence are men, according to NAFC estimates. Men are less likely to talk about it with friends and family, less likely to be diagnosed by a doctor, and more likely to be uninformed about causes and treatments, the NAFC says.

9. Men can do Kegels too ~ True
Women are often told to do Kegel exercises, the act of squeezing the muscles you'd use to stop urinating, but they work for men too. When practiced regularly, they help bladder control. Regular Kegel exercises can prevent and, in some cases, even reverse incontinence. Do your exercises three times a day, and you could see improvements within a few weeks.

10. It's fine to drink only when thirsty ~ True
The old advice to drink 64 ounces of water a day is not necessary, some experts say. About 80% of our intake should come from liquids (including non-water sources), but the other 20% is from food—and it's the total amount that counts. "Here's my advice: If you're thirsty, or if your lips are dry, drink. If you're not thirsty, don't drink," says Dr. Margolis. "Unless you're somebody who easily gets kidney stones or you're working on a road crew out in the desert, you don't need to drink more than what your body tells you."

11. Natural therapies don't work ~ False
Medication and surgery aren't your only options. Studies suggest vitamin D and magnesium (either from food or dietary supplements) may both play a role in preventing and improving incontinence. Kegel exercises and biofeedback can train and strengthen the muscles around the bladder, and there's even been a bit of positive research on acupuncture and hypnotherapy. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking, caffeine, and alcohol are also well-documented things that help.

12. Surgery should be your last resort ~ True
Surgery may help, but it also poses more risks, such as difficulty urinating or worsened incontinence, than other options. Invasive procedures like retropubic suspension and sling surgery may be especially risky. Try lifestyle changes, medical devices like a pessary, and medication first.

So now that you know some things that will help you, where do you get help when you need it?

Wearever is a company that is there for you when you need the help. They have so many wonderful products that can help make life more comfortable for people who need some extra help. They recently sent me a sample of a Bed Pad. Now I am not in need of one of these, but I have to say that I am impressed with the product!

Here is a little about them:
Wearever Bed Pads: Made with absorbent materials and a waterproof liner our bed pads keep furniture and fabrics dry while protecting against wetness. Our selections of incontinence bed pads are perfect for every night mattress use or on household furniture. The Unique-Dri™ inner core and IBEX Cotton Polyester blend incontinence pads are washable and reusable for long lasting lifetime use. Cost-effective and absorbent bed pads by Wearever let you sleep easy knowing you're protected by one the most trusted name in incontinence supplies.

I think that there are more uses for the bed pad than just for adults who need the protection. The Bed Pads would be great for use with your babies, kids who have a bedwetting problem and for trips back and forth to the beach to protect your car seats.

The top is soft and comfortable against your skin and it absorbs a lot! I know one things we will be using it for is trips to the beach. Towels are great but they don't keep the cloth car seats dry! Plus the Bed Pads are very nice looking! I can highly recommend these to you!

You can purchase your own Wearever Quilted Plaid incontinence Pad HERE!

You can connect with Wearever at the following links:
www.Facebook.com/WeareverUS
www.Twitter.com/WeareverOnline
www.Pinterest.com/WeareverUS
www.WeareverIncontinence.com

Wearever has been kind enough to offer one of my readers one of their own Plaid Bed Pad. Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to Continental US Residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Limit one entry per household/address. All entries will be verified. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to winning notification if if no response then another winner will be chosen. Contest ends at 12:01 AM 3/25/15. The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for the delivery of the prize. The company sponsoring this giveaway is solely responsible for the delivery of the prize to the winner(s). The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves is not responsible for lost or misdirected emails or physical mail. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, Instagram, or any other social media. Void where prohibited by law.

We received samples of the products for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are those of the author.

*National Association for Continence
**Information taken from Health