INCONTINENCE in Stoke on Trent, Staffs.

Incontinence Products in Stoke on Trent

Also Pads - Bed Pans - A Potty or Urinals (male  or female)  Portable Urinal - Chamber Pot - Commode  -  Receptacle -  Catheter - Bed Bottle or Bedpans can all be required at times.


And many enquiries for these items  (as seen here, often described in rather quaint and amusing ways)  are received at Castle Comfort Mobility Products, which covers Cheshire and Staffordshire. Such mobility aids requests, are of course related to an issue far from amusing - INCONTINENCE.

The number of people who are incontinent as detailed in this report is somewhere between a staggering THREE AND SIX MILLION!    As the population of Staffordshire is about 850,000 (approx 15% of the  63 million UK total) - a rough calculation, means that in this one county alone - perhaps exist almost a million folk with an incontinence related condition.


Being incontinent for obvious reasons, is a delicate subject, but we hope your discovery of this article will be of help. A phone call, or an email, or if convenient, a visit to a friendly and helpful team of advisers at a mobility aids firm close to you -  will make the world of difference.

The leading Mobility Products company in the county of Staffordshire, is to be found at Wolstanton, just outside Newcastle under Lyme.  Castle Comfort, since 1998 have earned an excellent reputation, and this family business has expanded to be one of the UK's best known suppliers of their flagship products - Stair lifts,  Riser Recliner Chairs and Electric Adjustable beds.

Whilst the company is always working to capacity supplying and installing their main essential items to many older and disabled people, there is always time to advise on other issues. Castle Comfort Centre is often the first port of call to many folk in the Staffs and surrounding counties, ie Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire,  when a mobility gadget or home aid is needed.

It is impossible for one mobility shop to stock all of the thousands of things that may be necessary, so a free advisory service has been set up to let you know just where these products can be found at the best and cheapest wholesale prices - often direct from the manufacturer. There are too many things to list here - so maybe have a glance at the sister mobility blog here - for a list. Also, you will be referred to other organisations that may help - such as the NHS incontinence advisory  service.

But now, as promised we are looking at the issue of incontinence. What is it exactly?

Our old friend Wikipedia, gives us  technical definitions of three types of incontinence -

Fecal incontinence, the involuntary excretion of bowel contents

Urinary incontinence, the involuntary excretion of urine...

 ..and less obvious -  Incontinence (philosophy)

We'll simply let the curious academics study the philosophy version but in simple terms, let's address the other more common two types of this problem.

1/    Fecal incontinence is sometimes known as  bowel incontinence. Bowel incontinence is being unable to control bowel movements, so it means that stools may leak without control from the rectum (or the bottom.) Of course this will be upsetting and not easy to cope with, so make sure you see your doctor urgently as there are many treatments available. The condition will no doubt affect a person's quality of life, confidence and psychological well being.  Embarrassment and reluctance to talk about it is an issue in itself, and because of this the problem is much more common than most of us realise. Many are willing to discuss their ailments from a hangover to a hernia, but bodily leakage is somewhat more difficult to announce.


Bowel Incontinence is not as such a condition in itself, but more of a symptom relating to a medical condition such as muscle and nerve damage or even  undiagnosed dementia. It can occur at any age - though more likely in older people.However, it is also possible from complications in pregnancy.

TREATMENT IS VITAL.   In many cases, even if the condition is not cured, normal bowel function can be maintained throughout life. Total cures however, may be the result of dietary changes, lifestyle adaption, prescribed exercise plans, medication - or in cases surgery. See  Bowel incontinence - treatment.   And a website from a familiar High Street name, Boots, is always reassuring to study - but we suggest that before you are tempted to try any of the recommended remedies, that may be available without prescription - GO TO YOUR GP.  And if an appointment is offered days away - ask for an emergency appointment - or even just turn up during surgery and ask to wait. No NHS doctor is likely to turn down a registered patient, behaving sensibly and politely, who believes they need immediate advice.


2/   Urinary incontinence

This is the unintended passing of urine. It's is an extremely problem and affects millions of people in  every country irrespective of them being third world or advanced.  Somewhere between three and six million people in Great Britain have a degree of urinary incontinence. 
At Castle Comfort Centre in Newcastle under Lyme we have an ever present stock of highly absorbent seat covers - as some buyers of Riser Recliner Chairs, who may occasionally have a slight incontinence issue, are supplied with these pads. Each will absorb up to 1.5 litres of liquid and can be laundered over and over again.  They are produced in an attractive variety of plain and patterned finishes.  One is pictured below on one of our oatmeal riser recliner chairs.

In cases where there is a  severe incontinence problem then riser chairs can be manufactured in totally waterproof material. Remarkably, this space age material look and feels like ordinary quality Belgian swatch fabric - but is totally impermeable.
Advice can also be given for waterproof bedding items when an electric adjustable bed is being supplied.

Urinary incontinence affects roughly double the amount of women as men and is more prevalent with age.  

What are its symptoms?   Well,they can depend on the exact type of condition suffered.
There are several types of urinary incontinence, but the most common are - 

• stress related incontinence – when the pelvic floor muscles are weak and urination occurs, causing urine to leak when the bladder is under pressure.  Caused perhaps during a coughing bout or even  laughter!  No laughing matter of course.
• 'urge incontinence' – when urine leaks as you feel an intense urge to pass urine, or soon afterwards.

These two types of urinary incontinence are thought to be responsible for over 90% of cases. It's  possible as well to have a mixture of stress and urge urinary incontinence combined.

Read here about the symptoms - symptoms of urinary incontinence.

What are the underlying causes of urinary incontinence?

As mention there are different types and the causes vary.
Stress  related incontinence is usually the result of the weakening and damaging of muscles that are used to prevent urination, like the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.
Urge incontinence is usually the result of over activity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.   Specific things can  vastly increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence starting,  such as -

• pregnancy and vaginal birth
• obesity
• family history of the condition
• age

Read about the causes of urinary incontinence.

Is diagnosis difficult?

It can usually be diagnosed after a consultations with your doctor, who will ask about your symptoms and will almost certainly carry out a pelvic examination.
Your GP may ask you to list a daily record noting how much fluid is drunk and how often you have to have a pee.  If your doctor thinks that  a urinary infection might be the underlying  problem, they will arrange for a test of your urine. Read more here about diagnosing urinary incontinence.

Treatment for urinary incontinence?

Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, or pelvic floor muscle training. ie squeezing your pelvic floor muscles can all help.  Bladder training, so you increase periods between needing to go to the loo is also recommended by some doctors.
If this doesn't work, medicine may be used to treat any obvious stress and urge incontinence.
Read here about non-surgical treatments for urinary incontinence.

If such treatments are not successful, a number of different  techniques involving surgery can be employed. Treatments for stress incontinence, like a 'tape or sling procedures' are used to reduce pressure on the bladder, at the same time as strengthening muscles that control urination.
An alternative to cure or treat urge incontinence may involve the enlarging of the bladder or the implanting of a device stimulating the nerves that control the detrusor muscles system.
Read here, about surgical treatments for urinary incontinence.

Prevention

There are a few possible ways you can take to hopefully prevent the chance of this condition developing, for example, watching and controlling your weight, reducing or stopping alcohol consumption. Keeping up a good exercise programme ie keeping fit.

Read here about preventing urinary incontinence.



As ever,  the team at Castle Comfort will take your calls on -

01782 611411

or Freephone 08000 832 797
and will help in any way possible regarding health and well being issues especially relating to
health care products and mobility aids.