Using Depends for Bowel Incontinence and Diarrhea

Understanding Bowel Incontinence and Diarrhea

Bowel incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, leading to accidental leakage of stool or diarrhea. This can greatly impact quality of life and lead to embarrassment, isolation, and depression. Bowel incontinence has numerous causes including digestive disorders, nerve damage, muscle dysfunction, and medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cancer treatment, childbirth trauma, and spinal cord injuries.

Diarrhea is a common cause of bowel incontinence. It refers to loose, watery stools passed more than 3 times per day. Diarrhea occurs when the intestines do not properly absorb water and nutrients from food. Causes include infections, food poisoning, medications, digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease. Both occasional diarrhea and chronic diarrhea can result in bowel incontinence.

Loss of bowel control not only causes physical discomfort but also takes a psychological toll. People may feel ashamed and isolate themselves from social activities. But there are ways to manage bowel incontinence and diarrhea to improve comfort, hygiene, and confidence.

How Absorbent Products Can Help

Using absorbent, leakage-blocking products is one strategy for managing bowel incontinence. While not addressing the underlying cause, they can contain accidents and limit soiling of clothing and home furnishings.

Some options include:

• Adult diapers - These garment-like undergarments absorb significant volumes of stool and urine. They can be worn discretely under clothing.
• Protective underwear - Reusable pull-up style absorbent underwear provides protection while maintaining a normal look.
• Pads - Rectangular absorbent pads adhere to the inside of underwear to protect clothing.
• Bed pads - Large absorbent pads protect mattresses from leaks during sleep.

When shopping for incontinence products, look for high absorbency and leak barriers. For diarrhea, choose products designed to absorb high volumes of liquid stool quickly. Change pads frequently to avoid saturation.

How Depends Can Help Manage Bowel Incontinence

The Depend brand by Kimberly-Clark offers a variety of absorbent incontinence products. Their disposable underwear, pads, and guards can give confidence and peace of mind. Key features include:

Maximum Absorbency

Depends products contain super absorbent materials like sodium polyacrylate that can lock in multiple times their weight in liquid. This is optimal for containing loose or watery stools. Models like the Depend Maximum Absorbency pad can hold over 10 times its weight.

Rapid Liquid Absorption

The multilayer design and absorbent polymers pull moisture rapidly into the core. This prevents pooling and leakage as diarrhea is quickly absorbed into the pad. The wetness indicator strip also changes color when it's time to change the product.

Odor Control

Odor-controlling technologies are infused into Depends products to trap smell. Activated charcoal and other ingredients help neutralize odors and prevent embarrassment.

Antileak Barriers

Features like standing leakage barriers provide extra protection against leaks. Adhesives, wetness pockets, and snug fits block sideways leakage of loose stool.

Discreet Styling

Depends underwear looks similar to regular clothing with a straight-cut design. Neutral colors help them show less under outfits. The pads are low profile and the guards have contoured fits.

Range of Absorbency Levels

Depends offers different products for light leakage all the way up to heavy stool incontinence. This includes the Depends Maximum Underwear, Maximum Pads, and Overnight Underwear designed for severe bowel incontinence.

Tips for Managing Bowel Incontinence with Depends

Here are some tips for effectively using Depends for bowel incontinence and diarrhea:

• Choose high absorbency models to handle loose stool
• Change pads frequently to avoid leakage and odor
• Consider overnight diapers to protect beds
• Carry extra pads when going out in case you need to change
• Choose underwear or pads with wetness indicators
• Use protective garment covers over top for extra security
• Dispose of used products discreetly by wrapping in plastic bags
• Talk to your doctor if products are not containing leakage well

Are Depend Products Right for You?

Depend incontinence products can allow people with bowel leakage to go about daily routines more comfortably. However, they may not be the right solution for everyone. Consider if Depend products make sense based on:

• Budget – They are more expensive than makeshift solutions like paper towels. But they also avoid costs of cleaning items soiled by accidents.
• Mobility – People who are independently mobile can change pads and underwear themselves.
• Dexterity – You need enough finger dexterity and strength to open and apply pads.
• Absorbency needs – Depends offers a range of absorbency options to match leakage amounts.
• Skin sensitivity – The materials may irritate delicate skin if you are prone to rashes.
• Incontinence frequency – Consider adult briefs instead of pads if you have constant leakage.
• Bowel condition – Your doctor can advise if Depend products are suitable with your specific health condition.

Speak with your healthcare provider to decide if Depend products are a wise solution for your particular bowel incontinence situation.

Other Ways to Manage Bowel Incontinence

While absorbent products like Depends can make bowel leakage more manageable, also consider these other treatment options:

Medications

Antidiarrheal medications can slow intestinal motility. Drugs like loperamide (Imodium A-D) and diphenoxylate help solidify stools. Talk to your doctor about prescription medications to reduce bowel incontinence.

Diet Changes

Avoid foods that stimulate the intestines like caffeine, greasy or spicy foods, sugar alcohols, fruits, and gas-producing vegetables. Follow a low-fiber diet to decrease loose stools.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Physical therapists can provide pelvic floor muscle exercises to improve control. Biofeedback training also helps you strengthen sphincter muscles.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrodes that stimulate the anal sphincter or sacral nerves may reduce incontinence episodes. A wire connects an external stimulator to a plug placed near pelvic muscles.

Bowel Retraining

Establishing a regular bathroom routine can improve bowel control. Try deferring the urge to pass stool and stick to a consistent bathroom schedule.

Surgery

Surgical options like sphincteroplasty, sacral nerve stimulation, ACE procedures, or stoma formation may be considered for severe cases unresponsive to other treatments.

Coping with the Emotional Impact

In addition to physical management, also consider ways to cope with the emotions of living with bowel incontinence. This may include:

• Joining a support group to share experiences with others
• Practicing self-compassion and patience with your body
• Focusing attention on your abilities instead of limitations
• Confiding in trusted friends and family about your condition
• Speaking with a mental health counselor if you are feeling depressed or anxious
• Communicating your needs to your partner to maintain intimacy

Bowel incontinence can impact self-esteem and quality of life. But utilizing pads along with other behavioral, dietary, and medical strategies can help you regain confidence and control.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.