Getting diagnosed with urinary incontinence (UI) can feel like your whole world has come crashing down on you. And the feeling is perfectly understandable.
Unless properly managed, incontinence can severely restrict your freedom and independence. Not to mention the feelings of uneasiness associated with the condition, which can lead to a life of social isolation.
However, a positive incontinence diagnosis isn’t the end of the world. You can still pursue an active lifestyle without uneasiness caused by unintentional voiding.
All you need is the right incontinence product.
While adult diapers are a lifesaver for daytime incontinence management, you’ll require an incontinence bed pad for overnight protection. Read below as we explore the reasons why incontinence bed pads are revolutionizing home care for people with UI.
1. Overnight Incontinence Protection
Adult diapers and booster pads provide the most reliable way to manage incontinence. These wearables come in different sizes, styles, and gendered options.
For instance, diaper pads for women typically have their core absorbency layer placed towards the pad’s underside rather than the front side (common for males).
But while adult diapers and booster pads are super effective at managing incontinence, wearing them 24/7 can present serious skin issues. That’s where bed pads come in.
Incontinence bed pads are designed strictly for overnight incontinence protection. The products feature moisture-wicking materials that soak up urinary discharge, keeping you dry throughout the night.
2. Mattress and Bedding Protection
Incontinence bed pads serve as a barrier against fluid intrusion. Their cores are made from superabsorbent polymers (SAP), which can hold up to 1000 times their weight in water.
Most incontinence bed pads also feature waterproof backing at the bottom.
As SAP wicks urine away from your skin, the waterproof layer traps the fluid and prevents it from seeping through to the bedding underneath.
Using the right incontinence bed pad can protect your mattress from staining as well as damage caused by urine and other bodily fluids.
3. Enhance Overnight Comfort
Incontinence bed pads are meant for sleeping on. So, it’s understandable why they typically feature soft fabrics.
Organic cotton is the preferred choice for premium-quality incontinence bed pads.
Cotton’s fine fibers and incredible breathability allow it to feel super comfortable against your skin. Besides, the fabric is remarkably durable and can withstand multiple washes without fraying.
Some bed pad brands experiment with even softer fabrics like bamboo. Although bamboo pads are relatively expensive, you wouldn’t mind paying a premium in exchange for restful sleep every night.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
4. Improve Personal Hygiene
We’ve all slept on a drenched mattress at some point. And I can bet the feeling was far from pleasant.
In addition to the sheer uneasiness it causes, bedwetting presents serious hygiene issues.
No roommate will gladly extend their hands for a morning greeting after seeing your soiled mattress.
Fortunately, incontinence bed pads can address hygiene issues caused by overnight voiding. The pads contain urinary fluids, keeping your mattress clean and the room fresh.
5. Neutralize Odors
Pee naturally smells awful. The odor can get unbearably uncomfortable overnight, especially if you’re sleeping in a poorly ventilated room.
If you also suffer from bowel incontinence…well, you get the picture.
Modern incontinence bed pads contain odor-neutralizing technologies, which trap and lock in foul smells from bodily discharges.
Materials like activated carbon work by absorbing tiny odor molecules, ensuring your bedroom smells fresh the morning after. Other technologies stabilize the skin’s pH to prevent the odor-causing bacteria from replicating.
6. Prevent Diseases
By improving personal hygiene, incontinence bed pads play a critical role in preventing infections.
Bed pads keep your skin dry for hours. They’re particularly effective against bacterial and fungal diseases, which thrive in moist environments.
Have you suddenly become susceptible to skin infections following an incontinence diagnosis?
If yes, investing in an incontinence pad might help keep such diseases at bay.
7. Uphold Dignity and Confidence
Incontinence is undeniably a dignity-stripping condition.
Waking up in soiled pajamas each morning can deflate your self-esteem, especially if you live in a large household.
By absorbing urinary discharge, incontinence bed pads help uphold your dignity.
The pads let you wake up jovial every morning, assured that your roommates won’t figure out you inadvertently voided overnight.
8. Safe for Every User
Many incontinence manufacturers design their bed pads with safety in mind.
The pads feature dermatologically certified materials, making them suitable even for users with sensitive skin.
Incontinence pads are notably safe for seniors who are prone to pressure sores, a skin condition linked to diminished mobility.
Besides, the fact that incontinence bed pads draw moisture away from your skin minimizes the risks of chafing.
9. Boost Sleep Quality
Incontinence and stress are correlated.
Indeed, many surveys have established a pattern of anxiety among people with urinary incontinence. The stressful feelings tend to get more intense at bedtime, due to the lingering fears of bedwetting.
Incontinence bed pads may not treat underlying sleep disorders. However, they can quell nervousness associated with overnight bladder accidents.
Bed pads help you get a good night’s sleep by shortening sleep onset time. They’re particularly useful for deep sleepers who constantly worry about soiling their bedding at night.
10. Managing Bowel Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is associated with even greater risks of dermatological and self-esteem issues. Besides, the odor exuded by bowel discharge is simply unbearable.
Now, it may appear as if incontinence bed pads are exclusively designed for seniors with urinary incontinence. But if properly used, these products may help to manage bowel incontinence as well.
For effective management of fecal incontinence, choose an incontinence bed pad with a thicker absorbency core.
The product should also contain powerful odor-masking technologies to keep your bedroom smelling fresh all night long.
11. Discreet Incontinence Protection
While discretion is associated with incontinence wearables (such as adult briefs and booster pads), it applies to bed pads too.
Many incontinence bed pads resemble standard mattress protectors. That flexibility enables them to blend into the rest of your bedding.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re on an all-family camping trip or treating your fellow pensioners to a slumber party. You can use an incontinence bed pad without drawing undue attention to yourself.
For better uniformity, choose an incontinence bed whose color and design complement your bedding.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Wrap Up
Incontinence bed pads are a sound investment for anyone with urinary (and even bowel) incontinence.
Bed pads wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry all night long. They also protect your bedding from getting soiled, minimizing the need for frequent laundering.
Not only do incontinence bed pads provide a reliable way to manage overnight bladder leaks. They also eliminate the feelings caused by unintentional voiding, while extending your mattress’s lifespan.
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
