Urinary incontinence affects both men and women worldwide. Whether it’s something you are personally experiencing, or something you are helping a family member or loved one to manage, people may experience it at different times in their life, and in unexpected places. It can feel embarrassing, but with the proper products you can feel confident and prepared for any accidents that may happen.
One particular issue that many people are embarrassed to talk about and seek help with, is when unwanted odors begin to appear. There are some very simple reasons why this could be happening and with a few adjustments, can easily be mitigated. Here are some tips on how to control odors if you are experiencing urinary incontinence.
1. Maintain excellent personal hygiene
Wash and clean yourself daily. Depending on your activity, this can involve a simple refreshing shower, or a full bath. Cleaning daily will prevent any buildup of smells and lingering odors.
Use appropriate products for cleaning yourself. Often gentler soaps and detergents are available for people who have urinary incontinence. This is because regular soaps may be too harsh when used more frequently (such as twice or three times per day). Make sure you use the correct products that will make you feel comfortable, because then you are more likely to use them consistently.
Try to wash as soon as possible after experiencing an expected void of urine. This is critical for cleaning away any bacteria, and for preventing any rash development. Washing up as quickly as possible and using new products will banish any unwanted odors.
Be sure you are managing diaper rash or any other infections promptly. Review your options with your health care provider. Ensure you are using drying powders as necessary to manage diaper rash or taking antibiotics to manage any infections.
2. Wear clean, fresh clothes and underwear daily
Laundering your clothes regularly is critical to avoid any accumulation of smells. Even when we think the incontinence products have absorbed everything, small droplets can still attach themselves to our clothes. These residual drops will contribute to odor buildup.
If you are using disposable pads or panties with pads, this will be especially relevant. Even after refreshing your pad, droplets can still have potentially been soaked into the fabric of your underwear. Be sure to wear fresh underwear every day to prevent any smells.
Clothing that is made with light weight fabric will have facilitate greater air flow. If possible, try to wear underwear made of 100% cotton. This will help aerate your private region and prevent any unwanted stink from developing.
3. Refresh soiled incontinence products as soon as you can
We know that sitting in a soiled product is uncomfortable. The longer a person wears a used product, the more likely odors will develop and affect the surrounding air. This will add to discomfort of the whole experience.
Whenever possible, change your incontinence product as soon as you are able. It is recommended to carry your favorite products with you, so even if you are outside of the home, you are prepared.
Reusable and washable briefs are an excellent choice for people who are prone to light leakage. They are often the best choices for people who also like to wear disposable pads for added protection because the briefs are designed to accommodate pads.
Disposable underwear may also be a good choice if you know you are susceptible to complete voiding of the bladder. The underwear will offer the most protection and can be easily thrown out and replaced with a new pair.
4. Consider changing your diet if you have bad-smelling urine
Increase your water intake, as much as you can tolerate. A bad smelling urine is often a sign of dehydration. Many people who suffer from incontinence reduce their fluid intake because they do not want to have an accident, and these people become high risk for very odorous urine.
Some people may benefit from using Vitamin C tablets to improve the smell of their urine. The acidity of oranges and citrus fruit may not be beneficial to bladder health, so a concentrated tablet is recommended over fresh fruits.
Discuss this option with your health care provider before trying it. If you have pre-existing health complications or take medications, vitamin C tablets may not be a good choice for you.
Certain foods will also affect the smell of your urine, a common food known to increase the smell of urine is asparagus! Considering reducing your intake of this vegetable to reduce the smell of your urine.
5. Consider using an internal deodorizer
There are certain products on the market available that act as a smell neutralizer, or better known as internal deodorizers. These products are believed to neutralize odor producing bacteria in the body before waste is expelled.
These products are typically available at a pharmacy, or by prescription from your health care provider. Discuss these options with your health care provider before trying them, to ensure they are safe for you to use.
Many people are affected by urinary incontinence and the associated side effects, such as unwanted odors. There are many strategies available to prevent urinary odor from tampering with your daily life so don’t let it get you or your loved ones down.
BIO: Bio: Anna Williams is a passionate advocator for senior health and raising awareness for issues like incontinence in the young and old. She’s worked in aged health care for many years but now spends her time volunteering and freelance writing for Zorbies.
No comments:
Post a Comment