INCONTINENCE
suitable for day and night purposes. Key features of the products include:
• A specially designed air system, to make the products breathable and minimise the risk of skin irritation.
• An odour neutraliser to ensure freshness.
• Elasticated leg cuffs to prevent sideways leaks.
• A super-absorbent core to quickly trap fl uids and prevent leakages.
• Hypoallergenic – latex and chlorine- free.
• A variety of sizes from small to super.
• A coping strategy, pending defi nitive treatment.
• An adjunct to ongoing therapy.5
Establishing whether the patient’s incontinence is light, medium or heavy, is important before recommending suitable products to manage their condition.
A particularly popular range of UI products are manufactured by Alvita, who offer a number of different products, tailored to specifi c patient needs. The Alvita range includes an extensive number of high quality products for moderate to heavy UI, and as of this month, also includes products for patients suffering from light incontinence.
For heavy incontinence, the Alvita range includes bed pads and pull-up pants, as well as all-in-ones that are
In addition to the features offered by these high-quality products, their competitive pricing allows patients to use these high quality products for a relatively small cost, facilitating the effective management of their condition.
For lighter incontinence, the new Alvita range includes ultra-discreet absorbent pads for men and women, which feature:
• An ultra-absorbent core that rapidly traps fl uid to keep skin dry all day.
• A soft embossed top sheet to keep moisture away from the skin for comfort and dryness.
• An odour neutraliser to ensure freshness.
• Individually wrapped pads for improved hygiene and discretion.
The men’s pad also has a contoured shape for added comfort and leakage protection. More information on the correct choice of products from the Alvita range can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer directly, or via your wholesale supplier.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Practical advice on lifestyle changes can also help patients suffering from UI, reducing the severity of their condition and improving their quality of life. Advice you can pass on to your customers includes6
:
• Drinking normally. Unless advised otherwise, the normal limits of water intake should be adhered to (i.e. 6-8 cups a day).
• Avoiding large amounts of tea, coffee or carbonated drinks, as these can exacerbate the problem.
20 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
• Avoiding constipation by eating recommended amounts of fi bre and drinking plenty of water, to reduce pressure on the bladder.
• Keeping active.
• Maintaining a healthy diet, and weight.
• Taking practical steps when out and about –locate the nearest toilet, and if appropriate, bring some spare absorbent pads or pants for emergency situations.
Other steps patients affected by UI may want to consider include Kegel exercises and bladder training, but not before consulting a GP or urologist fi rst.
Pharmacists, and pharmacy staff, should make sure that their knowledge on how to diagnose, treat and manage UI is up to date, evidence-based, and as broad as possible, so that they can assist in the effective care of their patients. By keeping abreast of the latest advancements in products,like Alvita’s extensive range of light to heavy incontinence products, pharmacies will be uniquely placed to provide the best advice to their customers on the right products to help them tackle their UI problem quickly and effectively, to improve their quality of life. •
REFERENCES 1
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/ urinary-incontinence-pro 2
www.patient.co.uk. Urinary Inconti- nence. 2015; Available at: http://www.
patient.co.uk/health/urinary-inconti- nence-leafl et. Accessed 03/09, 2015. 3 NHS Choices. Urinary Incontinence. 2013; Available at:
http://www.nhs.uk/ conditions/Incontinence-urinary/Pages/
Introduction.aspx. Accessed 03/09, 2015.
4 Age UK. Incontinence - Seeking Professional Help. 2015; Available at:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-well- being/conditions-illnesses/incontinence/ seeking-professional-help/. Accessed 03/090, 2015.
5 NICE. Urinary incontinence: The management of urinary incontinence in women. 2013; Available at: https://
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg171/chap- ter/key-priorities-for-implementation. Accessed 03/09, 2015.
6 Age UK. Incontinence - What Can I Do to Help Myself? 2015; Available at:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/health-well- being/conditions-illnesses/incontinence/ what-can-i-do-to-help-myself/. Accessed 03/09, 2015.
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