Buying Incontinence Pants: Understanding Levels of Incontinence

The right incontinence pants and products can provide freedom, security, and comfort, enabling people with all degrees of incontinence to make the most of their lives. But in order to make the right choices, it’s important to understand the various levels of incontinence.

Incontinence is rarely mentioned or discussed, but it is one of the most common and widespread of health-related conditions. It effects literally millions of both men and women, and can be a problem at any age.

Unfortunately, for many people even mild occasional incontinence becomes a veritable prison. Fear of embarrassment can keep people isolated and inactive, preventing them from living a normal life and enjoying everyday activities. But  the right incontinence pants and products can change that.

Choose the product that best suits your needs
There is a wide variety of incontinence products available, and selecting the right ones can be confusing. Since most are specifically designed to serve people with a certain level of incontinence, the best way to start is by understanding the various degrees of incontinence.

• Light Incontinence (sometimes referred to as stress incontinence)
  This is a very common problem, effecting literally tens of millions of people of all ages. Symptoms include the inadvertent loss of small amounts of urine, often related to activities such as lifting, bending, coughing or sneezing. Light incontinence may be a temporary condition and is particularly common in women, many of whom experience mild stress incontinence during pregnancy, after childbirth or surgery, or in association with menopause.

  Many people who suffer from light incontinence will initially try using products like sanitary napkins or mini-pads, but since they are designed for other uses they are rarely a satisfactory substitute for incontinence-specific products such as incontinence pants and pads.Modern incontinence pants and briefs can provide efficient, discreet protection without discomfort or bulk.

• Moderate Incontinence (sometimes referred to as urge incontinence)
  Moderate or urge incontinence is less common than light incontinence, but still effects millions of men and women. This type of incontinence is characterized by a larger loss of urine, often associated with not getting to a bathroom in time. For men, this type of incontinence may also be associated with an “overflow” after urinating.

  For this type of incontinence, special incontinence products can be the key to living a normal, active life without fear of embarrassment.

• Heavy Incontinence
  This type of incontinence is less common than either stress or urge incontinence, and is characterized by unintentional significant loss of urine. This is usually associated with the inability to stop the flow of urine once it has started, and may also be associated with urine loss during sleep.

  For people with heavy incontinence, specifically designed incontinence pants, pads, and other products are essential.

• Severe Incontinence (including fecal incontinence)
  This is the least common form of incontinence and if often associated with certain diseases, disorders, and physical conditions. Severe incontinence includes the inability to control the bladder and/or bowels, resulting in the inadvertent loss of large amounts of urine or fecal matter.

  Only specially designed, incontinence-specific products can provide the kind of protection needed by people who suffer from severe incontinence. Many products intended for this condition are also designed to accommodate those with limited mobility.