Sponsored By NorthShore Care Supply
Managing Bowel Incontinence with Adult Absorbent Products
Managing incontinence of any kind requires patience and tenacity. It takes time, and a bit of trial and error, to find the right strategies and products that will give you or your loved one back the confidence and dignity you deserve. Bowel incontinence can add another layer of complexity. Most drugstores and medical supply shops cater to those dealing with light urinary incontinence. Light pads and thin underwear usually aren’t designed for fecal incontinence. Don’t panic, with the right products people living with bowel incontinence can regain control
and enjoy the freedom to live a fun and fulfilling life.
Understanding Bowel Incontinence
Bowel incontinence, also known as fecal incontinence, is the inability to control bowel movements, leading to unintentional leakage of stool. Approximately 1 in 12 adults worldwide have fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence can vary from an occasional leakage of stool to a complete loss of bowel control. Multiple factors can contribute to bowel incontinence including issues with the muscles in the pelvic floor, rectum or anus, or the nerves that work these muscles.
Diagnosing Fecal Incontinence
The first step in managing bowel incontinence is consulting with a healthcare professional. A thorough evaluation will help determine the root cause of the condition and guide appropriate treatment options. While it can be difficult to discuss, open communication about your symptoms and concerns is essential for developing a personalized and effective treatment plan. Keeping a bowel diary can be a helpful way to discuss the severity and frequency of symptoms without feeling embarrassed.
Using Absorbent Products
Incontinence products such as adult diapers, pull-ons, and liners can offer immediate relief from bowel leaks while you work with your healthcare provider on a diagnosis and treatment plan. Whether adult diapers are part of a long-term management plan or simply a short-term strategy while waiting to see the doctor, it’s important to know the options available and what to look out for when selecting a product for fecal incontinence.
Tabs vs Pull-Ons
There are a variety of adult incontinence products on the market. Pull-on style products are extremely popular for urinary incontinence because they function very similar to traditional cloth underwear. For fecal incontinence, a diaper-style adult brief with tabs may be preferable. The tabs allow for a tighter fit around the leg where most leaks occur. Most pull-on products rely on elastic throughout the waist which may lead to sagging depending on the size and weight of a particular bowel movement.
Absorbency
Absorbency levels can vary across brands and products and will be especially important when managing bladder and bowel incontinence together. Keep in mind, with bowel incontinence it’s important to change an absorbent product immediately after a bowel movement. With urinary incontinence a super absorbent diapercould hold 2-3 wettings while keeping skin dry because the moisture is absorbed into the core of the diaper, but a bowel movement cannot be absorbed, only contained. When choosing the right absorbency level for bowel incontinence use the time between bowel movements to guide the capacity needed.
Plastic vs Breathable
Odors can be a primary concern for those with fecal incontinence. To combat odors look for a plastic-backed adult diaper. Cloth-like products are popular for urinary incontinence because they offer breathability for skin health and can keep wearers more comfortable in warm weather, but remember if air can get out, so can smell. Those with sensitive skin may still prefer a breathable adult diaper with a soft, cloth-like exterior.
Leak Guards
Look for a product that has leak guards around the leg cuffs and at the waist to help contain bowel leaks. The leg area is where most leaks happen, so an extra tall stand-up leak guard is ideal.
What About Pads?
Incontinence pads can be an option for managing bowel incontinence, but pads designed for bowel incontinence can be hard to find. Most drugstores don’t offer large enough pads with the protection or sizes needed. Look for an incontinence liner with extra protection in the rear that is designed for containing bowel leaks. For moderate bowel leakage DynaDry® Supreme by NorthShore has tall leak guard and extra-wide rear coverage.
Lifestyle Changes
Some people have been able to reduce the frequency or severity of their bowel incontinence symptoms by making certain lifestyle changes.
Diet Changes: Eating an adequate amount of fiber like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help regulate bowel movements. It’s important to stay well-hydrated when managing incontinence. Drinking water helps maintain soft and manageable stools. Talk with your doctor or a dietitian about how much fiber and liquids are right for you.
Certain foods can exacerbate fecal incontinence caused by diarrhea. Keeping a food diary can help determine if what you’re eating may be making your incontinence worse.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help improve bowel and bladder control. A physical therapist can teach you how to practice these Kegel exercises.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Adopting a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise can contribute to weight management, reducing the pressure on the rectum and improving bowel control.
Always be sure to check with your healthcare provider before making diet, exercise, or medication changes.
Build a Support System
Living with bowel incontinence can be emotionally challenging. Share your experiences with friends, family, or a support group to reduce feelings of isolation. The NAFC Forum can be a great resource for finding support online. This community includes people with incontinence from all over the world who come together to ask questions and share recommendations and tips.
Managing bowel incontinence can feel overwhelming at times, but it’s important to remember that there is help available. Your healthcare provider can help identify the underlying cause and make personalized recommendations for medical and lifestyle changes that can address your specific concerns. Absorbent products can help contain embarrassing leaks and odors giving you or your loved one the freedom and dignity to embrace the activities you once enjoyed. You can find support in friends, family, and the incontinence community. Bowel incontinence is manageable. Don’t forget to be kind and patient with yourself while you discover what works for you.
Learn more about NorthShore Care Supply and our mission to help individuals manage incontinence with life-changing products and initiatives.
About NorthShore Care Supply
NorthShore was founded in 2002 to empower people to live with the freedom and dignity they deserve and has helped over 2.5 million families keep their loved ones protected from leaks. The company is committed to helping 80 million Americans manage bladder or bowel incontinence, especially those with the heaviest control problems. Our featured NorthShore® brand is the leading premium adult diaper brand in the U.S. and is available at NorthShore.com or by calling (800) 563-0161. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
One Response
We’ve become a “stay at hime” couple due to my husband’s bowel incontinence.
I am having a hard time looking for free samples for him to try so we can get the best out of the product