Urinary incontinence is considered any involuntary loss of urine that causes discomfort to the person who suffers it; the prevalence of urinary incontinence increases with age, although only one in three older people consult for it (according to the Spanish Association of Urology), although this is not the only cause, it can also occur after childbirth, as a consequence of some disease, surgery, overweight, a stroke, neurological damage, relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, or by taking some medicines.
It is a problem that can greatly compromise the quality of life of people who suffer from it, both physically (urinary infections, skin lesions) and emotionally because of the significant psychological impact it entails (loss of self-esteem, depression, anxiety, social isolation). The degree to which it manifests itself can range from “a small leak” produced by coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping or exercising to a total loss of sphincter control.
What can we do if we are incontinent or if we are caring for a person with incontinence?
As soon as the first symptoms are noticed, it is convenient to start certain routines that help retain urine, such as
– Train the bladder so that the time between trips to the toilet is longer (for example, postponing trips to the toilet by 5 minutes)
– Establish a routine for going to the bathroom every 2 hours, for example, even if you don’t feel like it.
– Avoid being overweight.
– Eat a high-fiber diet to avoid constipation, which can weaken the pelvic floor.
– Avoid diuretic foods and exciting drinks such as coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
– Wear clothes that are comfortable to take off.
– Performing Kegel exercises regularly helps to strengthen this area; it is a very simple and quite effective therapy that can be performed at any time while sitting or lying down. It basically consists of contracting and relaxing the muscles as when you are urinating:
◦ First, make sure your bladder is empty, then sit or lie down.
◦ Squeeze the pelvic floor muscles and hold them tight for 5 seconds.
◦ Relax the muscles and count to 5 seconds.
◦ Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day (morning, afternoon and evening).
◦ Do not perform while urinating.
◦ Be patient as the positive effects may take several months.

In the case of incontinence in people with psychological damage, sick or elderly people who do not control the bladder, we must take extreme care and cleanliness to prevent the moisture from causing ulcers that can become infected. Palliative measures can be used to increase comfort and wellbeing, such as the products in the Ubiotex incontinence line: absorbent pads, soakers, both for the mattress and when seated; nightgowns and pyjamas that prevent the person from handling the nappy, nappy-holding panties, bed crosses… They are very effective products, made of special fabrics to avoid irritation and easy to clean and maintain.
In addition, we must take extreme care of the skin, making periodic changes and correct cleaning with each change and applying a barrier cream to prevent irritations, such as Qderm Barrier Cream from our Ubiopharma laboratory, with zinc oxide, enriched with paraffin and sweet almond oil that protects, moisturizes, calms and restores the skin’s hydrolipidic layer.
Do not hesitate to consult us about our products and how they can help you in the day-to-day care of dependent people.