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Stress incontinence is the involuntarily leakage of urine when extra pressure or force is put on the bladder. It’s the most common type of incontinence and occurs more in women than in men.

Generally speaking, stress incontinence occurs when the sphincter or pelvic floor muscles weaken, making it harder for them to contain urine. When force is put on these weakened muscles, it causes them to momentarily relax, resulting in a tiny leak of urine. There are many everyday activities that can cause this kind of force, like sneezing, laughing, or coughing.

There are many causes and risk factors that can lead to stress incontinence. Here are a few of the ones most commonly experienced:

Pregnancy and childbirth can increase the chance of stress incontinence. During pregnancy and childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles and bladder often experience great strain, which can lead to a weakening of these muscle groups. If the weakened muscles do not recover, it could become more difficult for them to hold in urine.

Any damage to the pelvic floor muscles or to the sphincter can lead to stress incontinence. Damage to these muscles could make them weaker, resulting in more difficulty containing urine. Even though the muscles may heal from their injury, there’s no guarantee that they will fully regain the strength needed to resist extra force against the bladder.

The pelvic floor and sphincter muscles don’t need to be damaged for stress incontinence to occur. For some people, these muscles are naturally weaker. If this is the case, then stress incontinence could occur without the body experiencing any kind of injury.

Stress incontinence causes light leakage, and the most common incontinence product used to manage light leakage is the bladder control pad. Bladder control pads are designed for lighter output, so they’re perfect for absorbing leakage from stress incontinence. They come in a range of designs and sizes and are made to accommodate both male and females.

It may be possible to get bladder control pads as a covered benefit through your insurance plan. Complete the incontinence product finder below to learn more about what coverage options are available to you.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

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Adult diaper rash is a skin condition that can turn incontinence management into a very painful and uncomfortable experience. It’s one of the most common challenges for people with incontinence

Luckily, adult diaper rash is easy to treat and prevent. Understanding why it happens and following some basic prevention techniques can help reduce the risk and provide a healthier, happier experience.

Adult diaper rash is a skin condition in which the surface of the skin becomes irritated or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. It consists of a red or pink spot on the skin that is painful when touched or rubbed. Generally speaking, adult diaper rash is fairly minor and will heal within 24 hours if treated properly.

NOTE: While adult diaper rash is most common among people using incontinence products, it’s very possible for other people to experience it as well.

Here are some of the common symptoms affiliated with adult diaper rash:

• Pink or red area on the skin
• Inflamed or slightly raised skin
• Area on the skin that’s painful when touched or rubbed.
• Mild skin breakdown or deterioration.

Adult diaper rash can be caused by numerous things. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

One of the most common causes of adult diaper rash is excessive rubbing or friction against the skin. If the adult diaper (or other fabric) rubs against the skin when worn, then this can cause the skin to inflame and become irritated. This irritation will form into adult diaper rash.

Another common cause of adult diaper rash is wetness on the skin. When the skin is exposed to too much moisture, it becomes over-hydrated. Too much hydration weakens skin cells and makes them far more sensitive to friction and skin breakdown. Moisture that consists of substances other than water (such as sweat or urine), can also increase the sensitivity of the skin.

Adult diaper rash can also be caused by an allergic reaction to a material in the diaper. A good sign of an allergy is if the rash encompasses a larger area, and is not isolated to a small spot. Allergic reactions can also develop much faster than rashes caused by friction.

Bacterial and fungal infections are another common cause of diaper rash. Bacteria and fungus spores love to grow in warm, moist environments, which makes adult diapers a risk area. Specifically, the bacteria that causes yeast infections (known as candida), is a frequent culprit of causing diaper rash among adults.

Treating adult diaper rash is pretty simple and can be done at home. Most cases will clear up within 24 hours.

There are some medical creams designed specifically to aid in the treatment of adult diaper rash. Specifically, Zinc Oxide barrier creams and skin protectants can help reduce irritation and assist in keeping the rash area dry. Use as directed by the product instructions.

Keeping the diaper rash area dry is a great way to encourage the healing of diaper rash. Gently pat the rash area with a soft, absorbent tissue or towel, and try to keep the affected area exposed to air as much as possible. This will keep moisture from weakening the cells and allow them to heal more quickly.

One of the easiest ways to treat adult diaper rash is to avoid contact with the affected area. Contact with clothing or the diaper material could cause further irritation, so try to keep the area free from contact with these kinds of materials. This will prevent further irritation and give the rash time to heal.

Here are some things you can to do help prevent adult diaper rash from developing:

One of the leading reasons that adult diaper rash is not using the right incontinence product. The wrong incontinence product, especially the wrong product size, can lead to increased friction and more wetness, both of which are leading causes of adult diaper rash. Making sure you are in the right product will drastically reduce your risk.

For a quick and easy way to see if you’re in the right product, try our incontinence product finder. You can also use it to find out if your insurance can help cover the cost of your products.

NOTE: Using the wrong incontinence product for your needs can increase risk for other skin conditions. Read about other incontience-related skin conditions and how to prevent them.

Regular airflow to the skin can help prevent adult diaper rash from forming, so try to give your skin some time to “air out.” When possible, remove your product and let the skin breathe. You can also use this as an opportunity to wipe away any moisture that may have accumulated.

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Be sure to thoroughly wash any skin covered by the incontinence product. Washing will help remove urine and stool that can lead to adult diaper rash. Use of a mild, pH balanced skin cleanser or plain water is usually recommended. Be sure to pat the area dry before securing a new product.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

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Urge incontinence, sometimes referred to as “overactive bladder,” is a condition in which a person experiences a quick, sudden need to urinate followed by leakage. Both men and women can experience it, and for those who do, it’s usually a symptom of another medical issue.

Urge Incontinence occurs when the nervous system sends too many signals to the bladder, causing it to contract at inappropriate times. These uncontrolled contractions lead to moderate leakage. The severity depends on the frequency and strength of the signals sent to the bladder.

Here are some of the most common causes and risk factors for urge incontinence:

Damage to the nervous system can cause or increase how often urge incontinence occurs. If the nerves experience trauma, they may not function normally, resulting in abnormal signals that cause the bladder to contract and release urine.

People with Alzheimer’s may experience urge incontinence as one of their symptoms. Alzheimer’s interferes with the body’s nervous system, which can sometimes lead to more overactivity in the bladder.

A possible symptom of Parkinson’s Disease is urge incontinence. As the body loses more nerve cells, normal control over the urinary system can be lost, resulting in uncontrolled contractions of the bladder. Not everyone with Parkinson’s will develop urge incontinence, and the severity will vary from person to person.

It’s very possible to have an overactive bladder without also having a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s. Sometimes the nerves simply don’t function as intended. For these people, an overactive bladder is part of how their body works.

Diabetes can increase the risk of experiencing urge incontinence. Without the proper supply of glucose to nerve cells (which diabetes can interfere with), the cells may become damaged or function abnormally.

The most common result of urge incontinence is moderate leakage, and the product made to handle that kind of output is protective underwear, or “pull-ons.” Protective underwear uses special polymers to absorb larger quantities of liquid and protect against dampness. For the best protection, it’s very important to make sure that the product is fitted properly. Product experts like us can help determine the correct size for you.

Some insurance plans cover pull-ons, which means it could be possible to get them at little to no cost for you. To find out if your insurance can cover your supplies, complete the incontinence product finder below or contact us today.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

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There are many medical services available to help veterans, but unfortunately, they often do not cover incontinence supplies.

Incontinence supplies are often not covered as a medical need, even though they are crucial to the health and happiness of many veterans. Getting these supplies can be a challenge, especially considering the cost. The price of incontinence supplies can range from $900-$4,000 per year.

Luckily, there are some options available that can help reduce these costs.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a government program that could help veterans get incontinence supplies. The program provides a wide range of healthcare services, including some medical supplies

To be eligible to get incontinence supplies through the VHA, veterans first need to become a member of the program and then visit a doctor to confirm a medical need. Every situation will be different, and there may be additional requirements that need to be met in order for the VHA program to cover the supplies.

Learn more about the Veteran’s Health Administration.

There’s great news for veterans with Medicaid: Most Medicaid plans cover incontinence supplies. Currently, 45 out of 50 state Medicaid plans provide some form of coverage for incontinence supplies. This means that veterans with Medicaid could get their supplies at little or no cost, depending on the details of their plan.

In order to use Medicaid benefits to get supplies, you will have to first visit a doctor and get a diagnosis. The diagnosis will allow an insurance company to receive official paperwork that shows a medical need for the supplies.

Once the diagnosis is documented, it’s time to call us! We provide monthly deliveries of incontinence supplies and bill your Medicaid plan for the cost. The process is very simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. To learn more about how to save money with Medicaid, call us at 866-343-4689.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.

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If you’re one of the many women in America experiencing urinary incontinence, you don’t need to feel embarrassed. You’re not alone.

Research shows that urinary incontinence in women is fairly common; in fact, up to 63% of women over 20 will experience it in some form. Currently, 78 million women are affected by urinary incontinence.

Many factors play a role in why incontinence occurs more frequently in women than in men. Here are a few that you should know about, and some options for managing it effectively.

Basic anatomy can play a role in the reason women experience incontinence. This is largely due to the differences between male and female urinary systems and how they function.

The first big difference is the length of the urethra. In men, the urethra averages 20-22 cm long. For a woman, the average urethra measures only 4 cm. The shorter female urethra makes women more prone to urinary tract infections, which can result in incontinence (see below).

Another difference is the location of the sphincter muscles. In women, the primary urinary sphincter muscles are part of the pelvic floor, which means that any weakening of the pelvic floor can also affect the sphincter. In men, the primary sphincter is located just below the bladder, away from the pelvic floor muscles. Additionally, the prostate gland surrounds the male urethra, providing soft pressure as well. Below the prostate are the pelvic floor muscles, which work together with the sphincter and prostate to help contain urine.

Both pregnancy and childbirth can sometimes be the causes of urinary incontinence in women. During pregnancy, the womb may put extra pressure on bladder.

This additional pressure can make it more difficult to contain urine, resulting in leakage during a cough, sneeze, or laughter. Childbirth puts major stress on the pelvic muscles, which can cause them to be severely weakened or stretched.

Incontinence can also be a result of going through menopause. After menopause, the body produces less estrogen, a key hormone that plays a role in the health of the urinary system. Without the presence of estrogen, the bladder lining may weaken, sometimes leading to incontinence.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) may also cause a temporary form of incontinence. During UTI, bacteria travels up the urethra and settles in the bladder. When this happens, it can cause inflammation in the bladder, leading to incontinence. It’s not uncommon for incontinence to be major symptom of a urinary tract infection. Incontinence caused by a UTI is usually temporary and should go away once the infection is gone.

There are many options available for women to choose from for managing incontinence. Depending on the type of incontinence and the symptoms, some may be more effective than others. In order to know what’s right for you, you should visit your doctor to learn more about your unique situation.

Incontinence products are the most common items used to manage incontinence. They absorb leakage and lock it away, keeping the skin dry. There are many different types of incontinence products, each one designed to manage a different level of output.

Some insurance plans will cover the cost of incontinence supplies. This means you could use your health insurance to cover the cost of bladder control pads, adult briefs, or pull-ons. Nearly all Medicaid plans cover incontinence supplies, along with some private plans.

Some medical devices may help to reduce the effects of incontinence. A Pessary, for example, is a stiff disc that’s inserted near the bladder to provide it more support, reducing leakage. There are many devices that could be used to help incontinence, but their use is largely dependent on your unique situation. Talking with a doctor is the best way to determine if a medical device is an appropriate solution for you.

Because incontinence is often the result of weakened pelvic muscles, it’s possible that strengthening them can help reduce leakage. Exercises such as Kegels and yoga for incontinence can help provide more support to the bladder, by learning to strengthen or relax the pelvic floor muscles.

Some medications can help reduce incontinence, particularly if incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder. These medications generally work by relaxing the bladder muscles, which keeps it from contracting sporadically and releasing urine. Medications that treat infections that cause incontinence (such as a UTI) can also help reduce leakage.

You or a loved one dealing with incontinence?

Let us help you get the supplies you need to feel supported, comfortable, and confident.
If you’re managing bladder or bowel incontinence — from light to heavy needs — our team at HCD will work with you, your doctor, and your insurance plan to deliver a personalized product solution that fits your specific situation.

Call 866-938-3906 or share your information through our online enrollment form to get started.