July 2021
Welcome
We sincerely thank you for referring your clients to ActivStyle. We appreciate the trust you place in ActivStyle to take care of your clients’ medical supply needs. Every ActivStyle employee strives to have a positive impact on the lives of the valued customers we serve.
Product News
How Much Will An Incontinence Product Hold?
One of the most common questions asked about incontinence products is “how much will they hold”? It feels like a common-sense question, the most natural question to ask. However, such a question is based on a faulty assumption that what a product can hold is a finite amount such as the number of ounces (oz.) in a measuring cup. The idea that you can “fill” a product up to a finite number of ounces no matter how long it takes doesn’t align with how the polymers these garments are made of actually work.
First, it helps to understand superabsorbent polymers (SAP) – invented in the 1960’s and further developed for commercial use in the early 1970’s – that absorbs and retains fluids at many times its own weight. It is often a granular substance but can also be fibrous. When dry, the molecules are tightly coiled; once wet, they unfurl and expand which in turn traps fluid in a gel-like state. In other words, the polymers swell and solidify. This technology allows incontinence products to have a much slimmer/thinner profile than bulkier fluff-filled products of the past.
Second, let’s think about what “capacity” really means. This is easy to understand when using a measuring cup, for example. A measuring cup is a finite measure; if more is added than capacity allows, the cup with overflow. However, a pullup or diaper is not constructed like a measuring cup. Absorbent products stretch, move, and breathe.
Third, we need to reframe the original question from “how much will it hold” to “how much fluid is in a person’s average void”? Before you race off for a measuring cup from the kitchen, simply imagine a universal measure – a 12 oz. can of pop/soda. In an average single void, would you fill the can? Half or less? Or would you more than fill it?
The average adult void is 6 oz. when the urinary system is working properly (half of a can). However, with incontinence, there might be only a few ounces of leakage at a time or the bladder may be full and then gush unexpectedly. How much liquid a person drinks, especially coffee, caffeinated soda or alcoholic beverages, can increase average output. Again, think about to what extent a person would fill or even exceed a 12 oz. can.
If one’s average void is under 5 oz. (less than half a can) bladder control pads/male guards are recommended. Between 5 and 9 oz., pullups/protective underwear may be the best bet. Over 9 oz. (3/4’s of a can) and above, diapers are the best choice. Then, factor in frequency. If the person is leaking only a few ounces at a time but frequently throughout the day or night, move up from bladder control pads to protective underwear. The goal is to select a product that will get the person from one bathroom stop/product change to the next unless their voids are small enough to get extra-long time frames from it.
Finally, back to the original question and why that reasoning doesn’t work very well: suppose the person averages 9 oz. per void and use a diaper. Once they’ve voided, the polymers are fast to act, like a fluid magnet. Once those polymers absorb fluids they lock and hold. They do not spontaneously regenerate or dry out. They are spent. But the same thing happens if the wearer had just voided 10 oz. or 12 oz. or 14 oz. Once the wearer voids, and the polymers have done their job, they lock up and don’t absorb any more liquid. It’s time to change your product regardless if it was a 9 oz. void or a 14 oz. void. The urine will have spread to every possible point where the polymers reside. Any polymers not activated will be higher up on the product, up around the waist, which is not adequate protection against another urinary void.
The trick is to work with the incontinence products, not against them. Understanding how to get the most protection out of incontinence products will help the wearer feel much more secure and ready to go out and live their life to the fullest.
FAQs
Q: Does ActivStyle provide services to pediatric customers?
A: Yes. ActivStyle provides incontinence and urology supplies to thousands of pediatric customers. Parents and caregivers have enough things to worry about in a child’s everyday life — incontinence supplies shouldn’t be one of them. With ActivStyle, parents and caregivers can focus on other important things and let ActivStyle provide regular, discreet home delivery of quality medical supplies. Our product experts provide a personalized service to help each customer find the right product, size, fit, comfort, quality, and more – now and as the child grows.
Q: Does ActivStyle bill Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for medical supplies like catheters?
A: Yes. Our Provider Services team will be happy to take referrals for catheter patients. Referrals can be made by phone toll-free at 855-373-5141. You may also conveniently make client or patient referrals online. At ActivStyle, we handle all of the billing paperwork for Medicare, private insurance, and Medicaid. Remember, as well as urologic and catheter supplies, you can also refer patients for incontinence supplies, pediatric supplies, and other medical supplies.
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, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Central Time. We want to make your life easy, so you can provide the best service and information to those you serve.
Health News
What Are The Various Types of Urinary Incontinence?
While more than 25 million people in the United States suffer from urinary incontinence, few realize there are a dozen different types and what they mean. Let’s explore the most common types of urinary incontinence.
Stress Incontinence
This is the most common type and is predominant in women, though men experience this, too. It is characterized by occasional, involuntary leakage when a person sneezes, coughs, bursts out laughing, or lifts something that is heavier than expected. The leakage occurs for just a moment or two while the bladder muscles and urethral sphincters regroup.
Urge Incontinence
Also common, this type of incontinence is characterized by a sudden and overwhelming need to use the bathroom. The person experience gushes of urine as their entire bladder may empty all at once. This can be caused by muscles spasms of the bladder or certain medications.
Functional Incontinence
Interestingly, this type occurs when the person experiences incontinence as gushes of urine yet their urinary system functions normally. In other words, the incontinence is related to something other than their urinary system. For instance, with Alzheimer’s or dementia, one may be in urinary distress but not be able to remember how to get to the bathroom. If experiencing vision loss and are in an unfamiliar place, an individual may not be able to read signage showing where bathrooms are located. If the person uses a wheelchair or other motorized transport but there is a set of stairs between them and the bathroom. Chronic alcoholism can also result in functional incontinence.
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence is the involuntary release of urine—due to a weak bladder muscle or to blockage—when the bladder becomes overly full, even though the person feels no urge to urinate. Urinary incontinence is most common in older adults. Almost half of AMericans age 65 and older have experienced it.
Mixed Incontinence
When a person experiences both stress and urge incontinence but don’t know which type will strike next. This can leave the person with a bladder that keeps them guessing. Sometimes there is occasional leakage whereas at other times everything gushes out at once.
You may now have a good idea of the types of incontinence your clients experience. Rest assured that ActivStyle is here to help. No matter what type of incontinence is present, ActivStyle provides absorbent incontinence supplies to meet the needs of a wide variety of individuals. We’re ready and able to help you help your client manage their incontinence and maintain their quality of life.
If you have questions call one of our Provider Services representatives today at 855-373-5141 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM 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.
