What are adult diapers?
Adult diapers, known in some other English-speaking countries as adult nappies, are special undergarments designed to be worn by adult men and women experiencing urine or fecal leaks (incontinence). They are lined with a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) called Sodium Polyacrylate. This polymer is capable of absorbing as much as 1000 times its own weight in water.
The development of similar SAPs was originally undertaken by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the 1960s. These first SAPs were intended for the improvement of water retention in soils. The USDA provided the research data to several companies to continue the development.
The first commercial use of SAPs was in the 1970s. Surprisingly this was not an agricultural application; it was, in fact used in disposable personal hygiene products such as sanitary napkins and diapers.
The invention of SAPs was a game-changer for the personal hygiene market. Diapers could now absorb far more liquid using far less material. These polymers also do not release the absorbed liquid. This quality made it possible to design diapers that absorbed all the voids but still allowed the skin to stay dry.
Modern diapers are generally disposable and designed for only a single use. They are available in a wide range of options for every possible situation. We will discuss these options in more detail later in this guide.
Whether you wear adult diapers during the day or overnight while you sleep, they are a very convenient solution for millions of people affected by incontinence. Thanks to the invention of adult diapers and their superabsorbent capacity, people are now able to continue a normal lifestyle despite this very personal and previously almost debilitating affliction.
Who Needs Adult Diapers?
The most common application of adult diapers is in the treatment or management of incontinence. They are also sometimes recommended as a temporary measure after surgery or during periods of illness such as with diarrhea.
Incontinence Causes and Risk Factors
Incontinence means loss of bladder or bowel control. The problem most commonly affects older people, although it does sometimes occur among younger people too. Women are more prone to incontinence than men. This is due to events such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Incontinence may be temporary or chronic.
There are several different types of incontinence. It’s important to note though, that incontinence is not a medical condition. It is, rather, the symptom of an underlying condition. Let’s take a look at the various types of incontinence.
- Stress incontinence. This is caused by improper closure of the bladder sphincter. Events that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing or sneezing, can then trigger a leak.
- Urge incontinence. The primary cause is an overactive bladder. The bladder contracts spontaneously, causing accidental leakages.
- Overflow incontinence. This happens when the bladder does not empty properly due to weak bladder muscles or an obstruction like an enlarged prostate gland. The bladder may then overfill and leak.
- Functional incontinence. Usually caused by impaired mental or physical capacity. Reduced cognitive function may prevent a person from becoming aware of the need to urinate. Physical incapacity may prevent a person from getting to the toilet in time.
- Mixed incontinence. Some people may suffer from a combination of two or more types of incontinence at the same time.
Although the exact causes of incontinence cannot always be specifically identified, certain medical conditions, medications or lifestyle options are known to worsen incontinence in some people. The most common risk factors are:
- Smoking. Statistically, it appears that incontinence is more common among smokers than non-smokers.
- Being overweight. Excess weight creates pressure that may cause the bladder to leak.
- Medication. Some medications have been proven to promote incontinence.
- Medical conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s Disease are known to cause or aggravate incontinence.
- Damaged or weak muscles. The muscles in the pelvic floor or around the bladder may become weak due to surgery, childbirth, or lack of exercise.
While all the types of incontinence and risk factors may have slightly different treatment options, one aspect of the management of incontinence is common to all of them. That is the fact that adult diapers can improve the quality of life of every person affected by the condition.
Coming To Terms With Wearing Adult Diapers
Logically, you know that adult incontinence happens. You know that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Emotionally, however, you may have to deal with a few struggles. That’s okay. You don’t have to lose your confidence if you have to start wearing adult diapers. Below you’ll find a few tips to strengthen your own confidence. If you’re reading on behalf of someone you love, you can encourage your loved one to use some of these tips.
Embarrassment has a way of building fear, and fear often impedes a person’s likeliness to seek professional help, or at least investigate and try treatment options. The condition may cause you to avoid social activities and gradually reduce your quality of life.
In recent years, infertility and mental illness have made their marks on the “health” map, garnering more attention in the news, less stigma from the public, and thus greater action at the hands of those suffering. Let us treat adult incontinence the same way.
The first line of defense for this very real condition, which affects far more individuals than the general public most likely presumes, is adult diapers. Adult diapers can be easily used without the wearer worrying about further health ramifications; many other medical conditions often carry a host of prescriptions and pills whereas the first line of adult incontinence defense is completely safe and at your fingertips.
Adult disposable underpants allow you to manage the downside of bladder and bowel movement while reducing the risk of embarrassment. If you’ve found yourself questioning “Do I need adult diapers”—or any other incontinence product—for one, you’re not alone. And two, chances are you have recognized that you have a need for something like this.
When it comes to deciding whether or not to embark on a more comfortable life by trying adult diapers, don’t let any fear or embarrassment of seeking intervention stop you. Thanks to LL Medico’s discreet (and free!) delivery, worries can be easily squelched and afflictions can be inconspicuously conquered without leaving your home. There’s nothing to lose except for discomfort and insecurity and everything to gain, such as liberation and confidence!
Remember That It’s Not Just You
Incontinence coupled with adult diapering may not be a dinner party conversation starter, or even share worthy with those we’re most comfortable with. Bear in mind though, that around 25 million adult Americans are affected. That is roughly equivalent to the number of people currently residing in the state of Texas. But because the condition is so deeply personal, embarrassment may override the need and desire to act.
Certain health afflictions and the interventions used to sustain them—such as surgery to repair a torn ACL, insulin to stabilize diabetes, and chemotherapy to rid the body of cancer—are comfortably discussed with a medical professional and probably equally easily with family and friends.
Sure, these conditions present themselves quite tangibly, making secrecy difficult, as compared to let’s say infertility, mental illness, or adult incontinence. However, another, and quite powerful, variable separates the former from the latter: the discomfort and even shame of verbally opening up and thus seeking intervention.
If you struggle with confidence because of a new need for adult diapers, try to remember that you’re not alone. Even better, see if you can talk to someone who deals with the same issues. More than half of senior adults deal with incontinence. Middle-aged women often struggle with incontinence, and women who have given birth are very prone to it at any age.
Some medications cause a temporary loss of bladder control, which means that even some young adults have to wear diapers at times. It’s far more common than most people realize for adults to use diapers and similar products to gain more control over their lives.
Keep a Sense of Humor
A lot of people deal with negative situations by using humor. People joke about everything from inconvenience to grief, so why not joke about your own use of adult diapers? Adding levity to the situation can bolster your confidence because it puts you in control of the conversation. That said, if your loved one is the person wearing adult diapers, jokes can be perceived as cruel, so follow your loved one’s lead when it comes to the subject. If they’d rather not joke about adult diapers, you can always distract them with other sources of humor.
Don’t Call Them Adult Diapers
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing and talking about adult diapers. However, some people aren’t comfortable with the term, and that’s fine. Use whatever word or phrase makes you most comfortable. If you’re fine with talking about adult diapers, then go ahead and talk about adult diapers. If you’d prefer to say “underwear” or some other term, that’s okay too. The choice is yours. Once again, if your loved one is wearing adult diapers, take his or her lead on this one. Don’t avoid the word “diaper” unless your loved one does. Otherwise, he or she might interpret the phrasing as shame on your part, which will only encourage more shame for your loved one.
Find Your Fit
One of the best ways to maintain confidence in adult diapers is to make sure that you’re wearing the right fit and style to prevent embarrassing accidental leaks. You have many different options in brand names, sizes, styles, and even colors. We will deal with how to select the correct size and ensure a good fit in a separate chapter.
Adult Diaper Types
Broadly speaking, there are two types of adult diapers; briefs and pull-ups Both types serve the same essential purpose, and that is to prevent urine or feces leakage. But you may prefer one over the other because of comfort, ease of use, or absorbency level. You may also consider how easy the product makes it for your caregiver to care for your family member.
These are "baby style" diapers designed for moderate to heavy urine or bowel incontinence. Unlike baby diapers, they have two to three tape closures on each side instead of one. The backing is made from a waterproof, fibrous cloth-like material or a plastic (poly) material. And the padding is filled with gel-forming polymer for super absorbency.
One of the biggest advantages compared to other adult incontinence products is the ability to use the bathroom or change the undergarment without entirely removing your pants. Thanks to the tabs on each side, which make it easy to open and close the brief multiple times. But they do not provide as much ease of use as pull-ups.
People might prefer the ones with cloth-like backing since it is a little more discreet without the noise created by a brief with plastic backing. The cloth-like backing also offers more breathability.
Pull up diapers are disposable one-piece, absorbent underwear for men and women with elastic around the waist and legs to prevent leaks. They closely resemble ordinary underwear. Scalled incontinence underwear , they are made with a waterproof cloth backing and carry an inner absorbent pad that contains a polymer (SAP). Pull ups for adults made with SAP can absorb and retain a high volume of liquid while keeping you dry and confident.
Choosing your type
The management of adult incontinence can be a tricky aspect to navigate when you become a caregiver. Because many people find the topic of aging and caring for the elderly or disabled uncomfortable, there is a lack of open dialogue about adult incontinence care products.
The issue is also made much more difficult by the plethora of options available in the market. Knowing the difference between the types of adult diapers offered can make a huge difference in the comfort and self-confidence of your patient. Let’s look at a summary of some of the key benefits of each type:
Adult Briefs:
- Can be changed without completely removing pants
- Tab fasteners offer an adjustable fit for awkward shapes and sizes
- Suitable to use overnight due to higher absorbency
- Appropriate for more severe cases of incontinence
Pull-Ups:
- Wear like conventional underwear
- Generally, less bulky and more discreet than adult briefs
- Cloth-like outer layer is less noisy when worn
- Appropriate for people with mild to moderate incontinence
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