This is a term that describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or bowel motion, faeces or wind from the bowel (bowel incontinence).
Incontinence is one of our biggest health issues, affecting one in four Australians over the age of 15 years.
Women
More than 70% of people who experience incontinence are women, with many experiencing problems after childbirth or menopause.
Many bladder problems may be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles; resulting in leakage when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift or exercise, oran overactive bladder; resulting in an urgent need to pass urine.
Men
An estimated 30% of men who visit their GP are affected by incontinence, yet more than two thirds do not discuss the issue. The more common problems affecting men include: bladder weakness following prostate surgery; resulting in leakage or 'stress incontinence' when they cough, sneeze, shout, laugh, lift, walk, bend, push, pull or move from lying to sitting to standing positions, or lack of contraction of the muscles surrounding the urethra; resulting in 'after-dribble' or the loss of a small amount of urine after emptying the bladder.
Children
Three to five per cent of children aged between 5 and 17 have a daytime wetting problem. One third of these children will also experience bedwetting. Day wetting is more common in girls than boys, however boys have more bedwetting issues than girls.
This is an independent test and certification system for raw, intermediate and end textile products at all stages of processing. The tests for harmful substances cover legally banned and controlled substances, chemicals known to be harmful to health (but not yet legally controlled), parameters for health protection. The prerequisite for texile products to be certified is that all components of an article, without exception, comply with the required criteria - so that outer material, sewing threads, linings etc are included.Aleva bed pads, draw sheets, chair pads, mattress protectors and men's & women's underwear are all certified to meet the strict manufacturing standards of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, product Class II: textiles used close to the skin (underwear, bedding, etc).