As times have changed, the use of adult diapers has become more widely accepted. It is, however, still viewed as a taboo by certain groups and cultures across the globe.
Some of the main conditions that results in the need for an adult diaper include urinary incontinence, mobility issues, bowel incontinence, nocturnal enuresis or dementia.
The main reason for needing to use an adult diaper, however, is urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is defined by the WHO as the involuntary loss of urine. It affects people of all ages but its incidence increases with age. Some of the common causes of urinary incontinence include; pregnancy, certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer and bladder cancer, surgery and damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
Urinary incontinence can cause great embarrassment and discomfort and may even discourage people who suffer from it from attending social functions. Adult diapers can help you feel secure and comfortable as you leave the house. There are two types of adult diapers;
- Pull up diapers- these are a good choice for those who want more underwear-like fit
- Diapers with tabs- these are mostly used on individuals who are immobile and therefore need to be assisted by a caregiver.
There are various brands of adult diapers available in our market and it is important to normalize the use of adult diapers to encourage the comfort of those in need of them. Here are some tips to help make the use of adult diapers more comfortable and acceptable;
- Encourage their use
When suffering from some of the health conditions mentioned above, there comes a time when the use of adult diapers is inevitable. It is important to encourage our friends or family members who require the use of adult diapers to use them. Due to the taboo and shame surrounding their use, some of our close relations may suffer in silence because they are afraid to come out and admit that they need them. Supporting them in this period can go a long way in convincing one to take that bold step and begin using them. We can even go as far as helping them do some research into the kind of diaper that would suit them best and allow for maximum comfort and no irritation.
- Choosing the right type of diaper
If wearing a diaper is uncomfortable and causes a diaper rash, one may feel uncomfortable and this could lead to feeling self-conscious about their use of a diaper. Choosing the right type of adult diaper for you will make you more comfortable and confident. Some of the tips one can use to help them choose the right diaper are; picking the right size, opting for diapers that leave you dry (because constant exposure to urine or fecal matter can cause diaper rash and infections) and being open-minded (the first brand you pick may not be the perfect one but one should not give up). There are even reusable adult diapers on the market which enable more flexibility and comfort for light leakages.
- Product advertisement
While many companies now manufacture adult diapers, we do not, however, see many advertisements shedding light on the topic or advertising the merchandise. Manufacturing companies should also take up the baton when it comes to making the use of adult diapers less of a taboo by advertising about them adequately. When the masses get educated about the use of adult diapers and the need for them in certain health conditions, it will be easier for them to accept the product. Only by publicly speaking on it can the taboo begin to be broken.
- Ensure proper fit
As mentioned above, picking the right size of the diaper is important as picking one that is a size too small or large can ruin one’s day. A diaper that’s too small can cause overflow, can cut off blood supply to the legs, making them uncomfortable and can also cause diaper rash. On the other hand, wearing a large adult diaper can cause a diaper leak. Therefore, one should pick one that fits right around the legs but is also comfortable to walk in. If one’s legs are too large or too thin, it is advisable to pick a diaper with tabs as opposed to a pull up one.
- Choosing the quality and material
Different diapers are made of different types of material and it is important to do your research and look at different adult diaper samples before making a purchase. One of the qualities to look for is the moisture handling of the diaper. Due to the fact that diapers are worn all day if wearing diapers that do not absorb moisture, one can develop diaper rash or infections at the end of the day. This can be very irritating to the wearer and could even discourage them from wearing them again.
Another quality that one should look out for is a diaper that does not make noise when walking. Many wearers feel discomfort and shame when this happens and could result in embarrassment. To avoid this and maximize comfort, it is important to invest in high- quality comfortable diapers.
- Absorbency
The level of absorbency of an adult diaper determines comfort to a large extent. The bigger the diaper, the more absorbent it is. Therefore, when looking for a diaper, it is important to consider the amount of incontinence one deals with. In the case of small leakages, one would benefit better from a small diaper that’s more comfortable for them while for people suffering from severe incontinence, a bigger diaper would serve them better.
One can also employ the use of booster pads that are a thin lining placed inside the diaper to prevent frequent changes.
The use of diapers can change a person’s life and give them back some of the freedom they enjoyed before they developed incontinence. We should strive to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.
REFERENCES
- Adult diapers, not so taboo anymore https://www.samarth.community/health/adult-diapers-%E2%80%93-not-so-taboo-anymore
- Tips to prevent leakage of adult diapers https://www.healthstatus.com/health_blog/wellness/tips-to-prevent-leakage-of-adult-diapers/
- Adult diapers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_diaper
- Adult diaper rash: What you need to know https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321857