Latest news with #incontinence
CBS News
01-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Michigan man aims to bring adult changing tables to public spaces
Changing tables are often associated with infants or young children, but there is another population in need of the accessible devices: teenagers and adults with disabilities. In most cases, caregivers are forced to change them on the floors of cars or bathrooms. Sometimes, there is no choice but to change them in public, in full view of others with no privacy. Joshua Taylor has made it his life's mission to make adult changing tables mainstream in Michigan. Due to a genetic condition that affects his connective tissues, Taylor has experienced a decline in mobility and began experiencing incontinence. "I realized that this wasn't a convenience," said Taylor. "This was a need. And not just for me but for tens of thousands of people just in our communities and millions of people across the country." He, too, has been faced with the challenge of figuring out a place to change when a changing table wasn't available. "I have had to use the back seat of my sedan to change," he said. "I have had to lay on a dirty bathroom floor and put as much padding or blankets down as possible, or even just not go out. "Even if I am able to go out, it might mean sitting in a soiled garment for hours because of the lack of accessible restrooms available." He said people typically stay home rather than risk going outside and feeling stuck when a restroom isn't an option. "Think about how much more people can get out of life having this available," he said. There are several models of adult changing tables available. One at Dodge Park in Commerce Township has a lift that can bear 1,000 lbs. Taylor is working with various local and state officials to install the changing tables across Michigan. He's also the Michigan chair of the national organization Changing Spaces USA. "Through the advocacy of myself, through the advocacy of countless others, we're hoping to get as many places as possible to have adult changing tables available," he said. A list of Changing Spaces USA's interactive map of adult changing table locations can be found here.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Unique Wellness Brings NASA Technology to Senior Care with Its Advanced Briefs
Wellness Briefs, Pull-Ups, and Underpads deliver industry-defining absorbency, comfort, and dignity through engineered InconTek® technology BROOKLYN, NY, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2025 / / -- When astronauts travel to space, even the most basic bodily functions require innovative solutions. NASA's answer to managing hygiene during long missions was the Maximum Absorbency Garment (MAG)—a high-capacity, multi-layered brief designed to keep astronauts dry and safe during spacewalks. Now, that same engineering excellence is helping transform incontinence care for millions of older adults through Unique Wellness, a U.S.-based healthcare brand committed to bringing space-age innovation to everyday life. At the core of Unique Wellness' award-winning product line—Wellness Briefs, Pull-Ups, and Underpads—is its proprietary InconTek® technology, inspired by the MAGs and used by NASA. This multi-layered core system is designed to absorb up to 87 ounces of liquid, reducing leaks, preventing skin breakdown, and significantly lowering the number of daily changes required. With this innovation, Unique Wellness is redefining what it means to provide effective, dignified incontinence care. As the global elderly population continues to rise and more than 25 million Americans live with incontinence, the demand for premium hygiene products has grown rapidly. For seniors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, Unique Wellness offers a solution that combines performance with compassion. Wellness Briefs: Designed with maximum absorbency in mind, these briefs minimize overnight changes, eliminate common issues such as leakage and foul odor and are suitable for both mobile and bedridden users. Wellness Briefs feature a 3-per-day change system to reduce up to 70 percent in product use over regular brands, which also saves a lot of time, cost, and laundry. Wellness Pull-Ups: These provide the same advanced absorption in a more flexible, underwear-style design. For active seniors seeking discretion, comfort, and mobility, Wellness Pull-Ups are the perfect option. Whether running errands or relaxing at home, users experience the confidence of leak-free protection. Wellness Underpads: Meant to be used on beds, chairs, and wheelchairs, these protective pads provide another level of protection. Their absorbent core and soft, breathable materials help maintain cleanliness and skin health in both clinical and home settings. Wellness Brief® Softistico™ Pack: The latest in the Unique Wellness offering of incontinence care range, the Softistico ™ Pack is a luxury solution, elevating comfort and performance. The Softistico ™ is developed with extra-soft, breathable materials, facilitating all-day wear to deliver maximum comfort for sensitive skin. It is also the first-ever breathable adult diaper with secure tape tabs (not Velcro) and a resealable landing zone, allowing for easy adjustments and a custom fit. Conventional incontinence products often require 6-8 changes daily, resulting in caregiver burnout, higher expenses, and user discomfort. InconTek® changes the equation. Its layered core system draws liquid away from the skin and traps it deep inside the brief, keeping users dry for up to 8 hours. This innovation not only boosts comfort but also supports skin integrity by reducing exposure to moisture and bacteria. Combined with advanced odor control, the technology ensures users remain comfortable, confident, and dignified throughout the day and night. Whether in a hospital, long-term care facility, or private home, Wellness products provide a dependable, high-performance solution that prioritizes both user health and caregiver efficiency. Unique Wellness designs its products with both clinical professionals and family caregivers in mind. Reduced changes mean fewer interruptions, better sleep, and more time for care. 'The only product that lets my dad sleep through the night without interruption.' — Caregiver, Illinois 'I've tried many brands. Nothing compares to the absorbency and comfort of Wellness Briefs.' — Home Healthcare Nurse Key Benefits: Sustainability: Fewer changes = less waste and lower environmental impact. Skin Health: Dermatologically tested and breathable materials reduce rashes and pressure sores. Cost Efficiency: Fewer changes result in reduced monthly product usage and caregiving time. Odor Control: Built-in odor-neutralizing layer ensures long-lasting freshness. Caregiver Relief: Simplifies routines and reduces the physical and emotional toll of caregiving. About Unique Wellness Unique Wellness is a leading name in adult incontinence products, dedicated to enhancing lives through scientifically advanced, medically inspired solutions. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the company has built a reputation for reliability, compassion, and innovation. All Wellness products are developed with user dignity in mind and are trusted by healthcare providers, caregivers, and families nationwide. With its NASA-derived technology, Unique Wellness is proving that space innovation can solve Earth-bound problems—one brief at a time. About Unique Wellness Unique Wellness is a leading name in adult incontinence products, dedicated to enhancing lives through scientifically advanced, medically inspired solutions. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the company has built a reputation for reliability, compassion, and innovation. All Wellness products are developed with user dignity in mind and are trusted by healthcare providers, caregivers, and families nationwide. With its NASA-derived technology, Unique Wellness is proving that space innovation can solve Earth-bound problems—one brief at a time. Anurag Srivastava EBIZON CRAYON INC email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I became a ‘hot girl' after losing three stone on fat jabs, but a mortifying side effect nearly ruined my life
AFTER losing three stone on fat jabs, Emmie Barwise loved nothing more than picking out a stylish outfit to showcase her svelte new figure. However, there was one accessory she wasn't expecting to add to her wardrobe. 6 6 As well as figure-hugging dresses and thigh skimming skirts, Emmie was forced to start wearing panty liners daily. Aside from her astonishing weight-loss, incontinence has been an unwelcome side effect of taking Mounjaro. The 34-year-old explains: 'It would happen when I laughed, coughed or sneezed. "I wet myself during one date, I never imagined that could happen with the jab. 'It was so frustrating, I finally felt confident enough to go on dates but I spent the whole time worrying it would happen. 'It was humiliating - I was a hot girl who couldn't pull.' Events manager and single mum Emmie, who lives in Manchester with her 12-year-old daughter, says the unfortunate side-effect made her self-conscious She admits: 'I constantly worried that I smelt of wee. 'It was really off-putting and something I never imagined I would have to deal with.' Emmie says she began struggling with her weight last year when she started comfort eating during the winter months. Doc gives advice on how to tackle Mounjaro side effect of excess loose skin She says: 'I loved a good takeaway, a bottle of wine and chocolates. 'It was so cold last year, I found myself indulging way too much.' By Christmas, the mum realised she'd gained three stone in just two months. 'As well as my main job, I also do catalogue modelling,' she says. 'I knew I needed to lose weight as I noticed I was losing work since gaining weight.' A mortified Emmie hit the gym but found it hard to shift the pounds. 'I had friends who were using weight loss jabs, I'd heard good things and decided to give them a go,' she says. In January, Emmie bought Mounjarno on a private prescription, paying £150 a month for the jabs. 6 6 6 'As soon as I started taking the jabs my food noise disappeared for the first time in my life,' she says. But while Emmie quickly noticed her weight falling off, she soon became aware of her unfortunate side effect too. She says: 'In the first four weeks, I lost seven pounds and felt amazing. 'But around the same time, I had been chatting to a man at a bar when I realised I had wet myself. 'It was just a few drops, but I fled to the loo with my jacket around my waist.' Emmie's rapid weight loss in the first four weeks meant a rapid loss of tone around her pelvic floor muscles. A study by revealed Ozempic or semaglutide can be linked to stress urinary incontinence. This means the pelvic floor muscles can't hold up under pressure when you cough, sneeze or laugh because the drug's rapid weight and muscle loss, especially in pelvic muscles, lowers pelvic support and increases leakage risk. Emmie says: 'The first time it happened, I convinced myself I had drunk too much. 'When it happened at work, I bought period panty liner pads to help control my pee problem. 'I even considered adult nappies for an extreme emergency. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. 'I had no idea that this was a possible side effect of the jab, it's definitely not one that people talk about.' In a bid to ease her embarrassing symptoms, Emmie immediately began doing her pelvic floor exercises three times a day. She says: 'I use Kegel balls, which come in different weights with strings attached. 'You pop inside your vagina and practice holding them for different periods of time. 'It took four weeks of training, but my symptoms have finally eased up.' While urinary incontinence might have been a negative side effect, Emmie has found an added bonus aside from her weight loss. 'The jab has increased by sex drive and my orgasms are stronger than ever,' she says. 'I consider that an added bonus.' According to research, the GLP-1 drugs can also alter autonomic nervous system responses and increase blood circulation, especially to your pubic area, which could explain Emmie's heightened sensitivity and increased sex drive. After six months of using Mounjarno, Emmie has now lost 3st 1lb and has no regrets. She says: 'I don't regret using the drug to fast-track my weight loss. 'It's not cheating, it's using what works for you. 'The oddball side effects created havoc in my life, but I got through it and I am back to feeling like my best self.' 6
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
What to do if you have an overactive bladder
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertisers on this site. Bladder leaks can be disruptive — and they're very common. Up to 30 percent of older adults experience incontinence. The problem is more prevalent in women, but the percentage of men with an overactive bladder — leakage is a major symptom — has risen over the past decade or so, probably due to an aging population and improved diagnoses. Here's what to know about keeping your bladder working well and when to see a doctor.
CNA
19-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
Only about 1 in 5 women agree to treatment for bladder control: Local study
Older women in Singapore may be suffering in silence with bladder control issues. More than half screened in a local study were found to be incontinent. When offered treatment, only one in five took it up. Dr Ong Ai Li, family physician at Kallang Polyclinic and adviser on women's health at NHG Polyclinics, discusses women incontinence. She talks about the common causes and misconceptions and how it is different from male incontinence.
