If you live with urinary incontinence, skin care should be a major part of your self-care routine. What starts as an annoying rash can quickly turn into an uncomfortable and potentially serious case of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians wrote texts on papyrus about managing urinary incontinence ? We won’t discuss the limited options available back then but trust us—we’re grateful for advances in technology!
We know some amazing people who live with spina bifida – and we bet you do, too! It takes a community of support to make sure people of all ages with spina bifida get the care and advocacy they deserve.
Self-advocacy is essential for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn. As someone with an SCI, it is likely you will encounter situations where others do not fully understand your needs, or abilities. You might even find some healthcare providers are not well-versed about spinal cord injuries. Having a good understanding of your condition and needs, along with the ability to clearly communicate this information, can help ensure you receive appropriate care in healthcare settings. In today’s article, we will discuss some strategies for self-advocacy in healthcare and share resources that can help you hone this skill.
If you have urinary incontinence, you’ve probably got a lot on your mind. Staying ahead of urges, accidents, and when to self-cath can be a lot. You might be tempted to drink less water to help cut down your to-do list, but that approach can cause more problems than it solves.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria, especially e. coli, enter the urinary tract — the kidneys, bladder, and the urethra, which is the tube through which urine leaves the body. Germs can enter and irritate the urinary tract during catheter insertion or prolonged use.
As a caregiver for a child or teen with spina bifida, you’re used to helping with a wide range of tasks, including toileting.
For individuals living with chronic conditions, life can be stressful. The disease and the treatment may cause unpleasant side effects, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, or depression.
Palliative care is a field of specialized medical services that helps individuals and their loved ones live comfortably during treatment for cancer, throughout the management of non-curable chronic conditions, or at the end of life. Metastatic cancer and other conditions such as COPD, end-stage renal disease or advanced heart disease are examples of chronic conditions where palliative care can be helpful.
Patients with conditions that can cause urinary incontinence—such as prostate cancer, spinal cord injuries, or urological trauma—have a lot of choices to make regarding catheter use.
Should I do intermittent cathing? Or get an indwelling catheter? What’s the difference? And what the heck is a French size?
From tried-and-true products to innovative designs for athletic and on-the-go lifestyles, catheter options are seemingly endless. Getting the best fit and style starts with learning the right words to describe the products you need.
If you have health concerns, you know that nurses are the front-line providers who bring an invaluable amount of skill, knowledge, and expertise to patient care. They’re compassionate caregivers who deeply respect patients and listen to their needs.
Amy Landrum, APRN, CWOCN is one of those nurses.
We asked Amy to tell us about how she became a nurse, what her specialty means, and why she cares so much for her patients.
