July 2020
Welcome
We are glad that you are interested in our ActivStyle Insights newsletter. At ActivStyle, it’s our desire to keep you up to date on current industry news, product information, FAQs, and much more. We know your job and life keeps you busy, so thanks for your attention and for your continued support of ActivStyle. If you like what you see in our newsletter, please feel free to share it with your colleagues.
Health News
Coping with Urinary Incontinence
If you have clients who struggle with urinary incontinence, then you know it is a common and sometimes embarrassing condition. We have put together some strategies to help improve your client’s symptoms and help them cope with the day-to-day challenges of urinary incontinence.
When consulting with a client who deals with urinary incontinence, assure them that they are not alone. Urinary incontinence affects millions of women and men of all ages. Even teenagers experience incontinence. It is estimated that around 2-3 percent of teenagers suffer from urinary incontinence. Additionally, teenagers who experience incontinence are at an increased risk of underachieving at high school. While urinary incontinence primarily affects women, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that 11-34 percent of older men experience urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control that results in urine leakage, is a widespread problem; but some steps can be taken to reduce symptoms:
Perform pelvic floor exercises. The pelvis floor is a sheet of muscles that supports the bladder. If it weakens, one may experience urine leakage when coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Pelvic floor exercises are also known as Kegel exercises, and they aim to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor to better support the bladder.
Retrain the bladder. Individuals with urinary incontinence normally develop a habit of going to the bathroom too often to ensure that they are not caught out. However, this sort of behavior exacerbates the problem by causing the bladder to get used to holding less urine and making it more sensitive and overactive. Bladder training can help to reduce urinary incontinence by helping the bladder to hold more urine and prevent it from being overactive. WebMD has published helpful information on bladder training.
Lose Excess Weight. Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of developing urinary incontinence. In fact, one study of women over the age of 70 revealed that prevalence of urinary incontinence and stress urinary incontinence was no less than twofold higher among those in the highest body mass index (BMI) category than the lowest. Aiming to reduce BMI, if one is overweight or obese, could help them get urinary incontinence under control.
Stop Smoking. If you smoke, you put yourself at risk of incontinence, because coughing puts strain on your pelvic floor muscles.
Avoid Lifting. Lifting puts strain on the pelvic floor muscles, so avoid it whenever possible When you do need to lift something, such as picking up children or shopping bags, tighten your pelvic floor muscles before and during the lift.
Limit Alcohol and Caffeine. Alcohol and caffeinated are diuretics, which make you urinate more often. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the consumption of these beverages if you have urinary incontinence.
Practice Yoga. According to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), participating in the ancient art of yoga may help to reduce symptoms of urinary incontinence. UCSF found that yoga could help people with urinary incontinence gain more control over urination and avoid accidental leakage. The Yoga Journal recommends the Viniyoga sequence to help create pelvic stability.
FAQs
Q: Why does ActivStyle need to confirm a patient’s order each month versus just automatically sending out the supplies?
A: ActivStyle wants to confirm the order each month. We do not want to ship product that does not work for patients and we want to verify that we are sending them the correct quantities. Our monthly check confirms several things: 1) Is the patient are having any issues with the product? 2) Is the product working? 3) Does the patient need anything else? 4) Has the patient run out of product? 5) Is the patient over stocked. It is important to us that we understand and meet the needs of every patient, every month.
Q: What is Durable Medical Equipment (DME)?
A: Durable medical equipment is any medical equipment used in the home to aid in a better quality of life. DME is used to provide additional support and care to patients outside of the hospital environment and is designed to support both temporary and permanent conditions. Although the term ‘durable’ is used, it can also cover disposable, non-durable items that are used in everyday, essential home healthcare. Therefore, DME can be split into two main groups: Durable equipment – this includes long lasting essential items such as wheelchairs, beds, walkers, respiratory apparatus, CPAPs, nebulizers, and more. Non-durable equipment – this includes disposable or non-permanent equipment such as incontinence products, gloves, rubber/plastic hose (used for equipment such as catheters and nebulizers that need regular replacement), syringes, and more.
We want to hear what FAQ topics you are interested in seeing! If you have questions or suggestions for future FAQs, please email us at .
If you have other questions for the ActivStyle Provider Services staff, feel free to give us a call at 855-373-5141, Monday thru Friday, 8AM to 5PM, Central Time. We want to make your life easy, so you can provide the best service and information to those you serve.
Product News
The Many Uses of Booster Pads
Booster pads are a multi-functional incontinence solution with many applications for children and adults with incontinence. Booster pads provide extra absorbency to any disposable absorbent product. They feature a flow-through design that allows the booster pad to fill up to capacity first, and then pass additional fluid to the brief or disposable absorbent underwear (or other absorbent product with a moisture-proof backing). Booster pads can be used in a variety of applications.
- Additional absorbency for any absorbent product. The primary purpose of booster pads is to add absorbency to another absorbent product, extending the wear-time. Boosters pads typically have 5-27 ounces of capacity.
- Booster doubling for even more absorbency. You may also double booster pads for twice the protection and absorbency! Be sure that no part of the booster pad is extended outside the edges of your primary absorbent product. Note: only double booster pads, not bladder control pads, because booster pads have a flow-through design and bladder control pads do not.
- Containment for bowel incontinence. Booster Contour pads have a wide hourglass shape to contain bowel incontinence and fit comfortably in any brief. Plus, they are easy to change and dispose of, without necessarily having to replace the primary product.
- Great for on-the-go easy changes. Boosters are great for travel or other on-the-go applications. Easy to carry in a bag, pocket, or purse. Plus, they are easy to change and dispose of. Booster pads are great for active individuals on the go.
- Alternative placement for target areas. Booster pads can also be placed in target areas where leaks tend to occur. Here are a few options and directions:
– Position the booster pad horizontally across the stomach, adhesive side up. Apply absorbent undergarment as usual and adhere pad.
– Strategically place the booster pad over the hip to prevent leaking for side sleepers.
– For women, position the pad towards the back.
– For men, position the pad towards the front. Do not remove the adhesive backing! Fold booster pad over top of penis with release paper to the outside. Apply absorbent undergarment as usual.
If you have questions about booster pads, call one of our Provider Services representatives today at 855-373-5141 (Monday – Friday, 8AM-5PM Central Time). Let us help you select the right product to address your client’s personal needs.
ActivStyle is Your Partner in Patient Care
Wouldn’t it be great if you spent less time mired in case-related paperwork and details and more time helping those who need you? ActivStyle is a full-service provider of high-quality, high-value home medical supplies serving thousands of practitioners and case managers across the United States. Our product expertise and knowledge of constantly changing state and federal regulations allow us to give you — and the clients who depend on you — the level of service you need and deserve.
Founded in 1997 in Minneapolis, MN, ActivStyle has grown to over 200 employees compassionately serving patients in 47 states with their medical supply needs. Specializing in incontinence, urological, and ostomy supplies, our trained Product Experts are available to discuss product options, insurance benefits, free delivery, or product samples. Feel free to call one of our Provider Services representatives toll-free at 855-373-5141, they’ll be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have about our products, services, or take a referral over the phone. You may also conveniently make client or patient referrals online.
At ActivStyle, we’re dedicated to making your life easier.
