Overactive bladder, bladder leakage and bowel leakage can be distressing conditions that significantly impact quality of life. Still, many people continue to rely on adult diapers rather than seeking potentially life-changing, and increasingly simple, medical interventions. Why is that? Let’s compare adult diapers versus a 20-minute procedure to resolve incontinence.
Understanding Incontinence
Incontinence, whether urinary or fecal, is surprisingly common, especially among older adults. According to the National Association for Continence, over 25 million Americans experience some form of incontinence. The condition can stem from various causes, including weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, and medical conditions such as diabetes or prostate disease in men.
The Burden of Adult Diapers
While adult diapers can provide a temporary and partial solution, they come with several drawbacks:
- Cost: The ongoing cost of purchasing adult diapers is high. Users spend hundreds to thousands of dollars annually on incontinence products.
- Convenience: Constantly needing to change diapers is incredibly inconvenient, especially for those with active lifestyles. It can also lead to embarrassment and social withdrawal.
- Health concerns: Prolonged use of diapers can cause skin irritation or infections, thanks to prolonged exposure to moisture and bacteria.
The Promise of Medical Procedures
Instead of focusing on symptoms of incontinence, as adult diapers do, medical interventions seek to address the actual causes of the condition. Popular treatments include:
- Pelvic floor therapy and medications: This combination can help restore strength and coordination of bladder muscles, reducing episodes of overactive bladder and incontinence.
- Sacral nerve stimulation: The modern “cat’s meow” of treating incontinence, this 20-minute, insurance-approved procedure implants a small pacemaker device that sends computerized impulses to the nerves controlling the bladder, improving bladder control.
- Urethral bulking agents: These injections help thicken the urethral wall, making it easier to control the flow of urine and helping to reduce leakage when a person coughs or sneezes.
Opting for a medical procedure over diapers has benefits:
- Long-term solution: Unlike diapers, medical procedures address the root cause of incontinence, and today provide a long-term solution.
- Improved quality of life: Successfully treating incontinence leads to a significant improvement in quality of life, allowing individuals to engage in social activities and enjoy a more active lifestyle without the constant worry of leakage.
- Cost-effective: Although there is an initial cost associated with medical procedures, they are more cost-effective in the long run compared to the continuous expense of adult diapers.
- Health benefits: Reducing reliance on diapers can prevent skin issues and infections, promoting better overall health.
Why Do People Hesitate?
Despite the clear benefits, many people hesitate to undergo medical procedures for incontinence due to:
- Fear of surgery: Some people have concerns about the risks and potential complications of surgery. But this is misguided, since sacral neuromodulation isn’t actually considered surgery. Instead, it’s classified as a “minor procedure” because of the safety and simplicity. One gets up and walks out of the center with a Band-Aid, not a long recovery time.
- Lack of awareness: Many people are simply not aware of the modern available medical treatments for incontinence.
- Cultural and personal beliefs: Some may feel embarrassed to even discuss incontinence with healthcare providers or believe that incontinence is an inevitable part of aging, so it’s not something they’re willing to bring up in search of a solution. Instead, they simply manage the symptoms in silence.
The Takeaway
While adult diapers offer a temporary solution for incontinence, they come with significant drawbacks. Today, a quick, minimally invasive procedure can provide a long-term solution, improving quality of life, and reducing ongoing costs and health risks. Increasing awareness about these medical options and addressing fears related to surgery can help more people make informed decisions about their health. Would you really rather keep buying adult diapers than undergo a 20-minute procedure to resolve incontinence? The answer nowadays should lean towards seeking a permanent and more dignified solution.
To learn more about sacral neuromodulation and other effective treatments for incontinence, contact the team here at Nevada Surgical today. We’re happy to help.
