By The Caregiver's Marketplace

Many people are surprised when they learn that incontinence impacts many people, not only the aging. Incontinence is a symptom of an underlying condition such as a urinary tract infection, weak or overactive bladder muscles, an enlarged prostate, arthritis, and other conditions.

A diagnosis of incontinence generally involves a very thorough physical examination. The examination might include X-rays, blood tests, urinalysis and other special procedures performed by a healthcare professional. Once a diagnosis is received, however, the patient and the caregiver still need to educate themselves about the condition and determine a workable plan to manage the day-to-day challenges of incontinence.

The Main Types and Causes of Incontinence

Healthcare professionals have identified four main types of incontinence. Depending upon the source, you may also read about other types that resemble those listed below or are a combination of these types. According to the National Institute on Aging and the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, the four types of incontinence are:

• Stress Incontinence - This form iof incontience is the most common and can affect adults of any age. It may be caused by weakened sphincter and pelvic floor muscles that allow urine to escape the bladder when any physical stress is experienced. Even minor stresses such as laughing, sneezing, or coughing can cause this type of incontinence. Stress incontinence is most common in women who have given birth or who have experienced hormonal changes after menopause.
• Urge Incontinence - Sudden or overwhelming urges to urinate are caused by muscle spasms, an overactive bladder or even a urinary tract infection in the condition known as urge incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence - Most often it is men who struggle with overflow incontinence, which can signal an enlarged prostate requiring immediate medical attention. In this condition, small amounts of urine leak from the bladder at any time, and it is difficult for the patient to sense when the bladder is empty.
• Fecal Incontinence - Fecal incontinence is more common in older women and can be caused by constipation, damage to the anal sphincter muscles, damage to the nerves of the anal sphincter muscles or rectum, loss of storage capacity in the rectum, diarrhea or pelvic floor dysfunction.

Managing Incontinence with Over-the-Counter Products

No matter what type of incontinence you and your loved one are dealing with, you can buy products to make your lives easier. Incontinence products are much more than adult-sized diapers. They are designed primarily to protect the skin from the effects of incontinence. They are also designed to minimize the negative emotional consequences of incontinence.

Choosing the right incontinence product involves more than picking a brand and a size. The following list will alert you to the main problems that can result from using the wrong product. It also provides advice about how to address the problem through proper product choice.

• Problem: Wetness against skin can cause the skin to break down.
• Answer: Absorbent incontinence products are designed to capture voids and lock them in the product core to protect the health of the skin.
• Problem: The bodily chemicals in urine can increase pH levels and cause odor.
• Answer: Many incontinence pads and briefs are designed to help maintain a
• low pH, which helps protect the skin and control odor.
• Problem: Selecting the wrong product or using it improperly can lead to leakage and embarrassment.
• Answer: Plenty of help is available to choose the right product. Manufacturers' Websites and organizations such as the National Association for Continence can help recommend the right product for your caregiving situation.

Finding Financial Relief

Family caregivers and others managing incontinence are often surprised by how expensive it can be.

In most cases, the cost of incontinence products is not reimburseable by private insurance or Medicare. As a result, either the patient or the caregiver has to shoulder the entire financial burden.

The Caregivers Marketplace helps defray the cost of caregiving. It is the nation's only cash back benefit for purchases of healthcare products - including incontinence care - every time these products are purchased, no matter where they are purchased. When you buy eligible incontinence products and submit a cash back form to Caregiver's Marketplace, you can reduce your costs every time you shop.

Cash back forms, a current list of eligible products, and much more information is available at The Caregiver's Marketplace.