Adult Pull Ups and Briefs: What’s the Difference?

Knowing the difference between adult pull ups and adult briefs is important when thinking about comfort and confidence. These types of adult incontinence products can be necessary when adults suffer from various kinds of medical conditions such as severe diarrhea, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or mobility impairment. Choosing the right style of adult incontinence products is one aspect of the situation, but these types of adult incontinence products also offer varying absorbencies that are suitable for each person’s unique needs. Let’s find out what makes adult pull ups different from adult incontinence briefs.

What are Adult Pull-Ups?

Abena Abri-Flex Premium Protective Underwear Adult Pull UpsJust as the name implies, adult pull-ups are pulled onto the body and are designed to fit and feel just like regular underwear. Sometimes referred to as protective underwear, adult pull-ups are constructed of soft, cloth-like material making them a more discreet and less bulky option. Adult pull-ups such as the Abena Abri-Flex Premium Pull-Ons feature leak guards and leg gathers that function to absorb and prevent leakage. Oftentimes, adult pull-ups include tear-away seams for easy and quick removal. Offered in a range of absorbency levels, adult pull-ups or adult protective underwear can deliver the security the wearer needs to keep them dry throughout the day or all through the night.

When You Should Choose Adult Pull-Ups

attends premier adult pull upsIf you ask yourself, “Can adults wear pull ups?” the answer is Yes! Because adult pull ups are designed to be similar to traditional adult underwear, they are a preferred choice for those concerned about discreetness. Since they are constructed of soft, cloth-like fabric and are thinner, adult pull-ups can give the wearer more dignity. For adults suffering from incontinence but are still independent with mobility and dexterity, adult pull ups or adult protective underwear may be the optimal choice. It is important to note that although adult pull-ups typically feature tear-away side panels for quick and easy removal, they cannot be resealed again for further wear. The adult pull ups are worn once and then disposed of.

What are Adult Briefs?

Adult incontinence briefs are also referred to as adult diapers with tabs and are disposable adult incontinence products. Unlike adult pull-ups, adult briefs feature re-fastenable tabs on the sides, allowing the adult diaper to be opened and closed for repositioning or changing out without the wearer removing their other clothing. Made of thicker layers of absorbent materials, adult incontinence briefs are also less discreet.

tranquility adult pull ups disposable underwear incontinence briefs featuring breathable sidesAlso offered in a range of sizes and absorbencies, adult incontinence briefs can provide the wearer with leak protection, breathability for skin health, and odor control. The highly absorbent and super-fast drying core of the Tranquility SmartCore Disposable Briefs are effective for up to 8 hours, and the breathable sides allow air to circulate.

When You Should Choose Adult Briefs

tena brand complete care adult pull ups incontinence briefs that are disposable underwearFor adults that are concerned about increased leak protection at night, adult briefs can provide them the security they need rather than adult pull ups. Because they are thicker and more absorbent, adult briefs may be a better choice for those with heavy incontinence. For daytime protection, adult incontinence briefs are made to be slightly less bulky and therefore absorb less.

If an adult is not fully independent and has limited mobility, a caretaker is usually involved. If this is the case, the adult diaper’s tabs allow the caregiver to easily change the adult brief without needing to remove other clothing. These tabs allow for repeated refastening to ensure maximum security and minimize leakage. Another feature that helps alert a caregiver when it is time to change the adult brief is a wetness indicator that’s included on The Tena Complete + Care Briefs.

One of the main takeaways from this discussion is that adult briefs feature tabs that allow for them to be changed without removing other clothing. However, these adult incontinence products are offered in a variety of sizes, styles, absorbencies, and brands too. Becoming familiar with all the options and differences between adult pull-ups and adult briefs can be challenging, but they are important to know when choosing what is suitable for the incontinence problem.

While you are viewing adult pull ups, be sure to check out all of the other incontinence products we carry as well. Whether you require added protection with a booster pad or just need light protection with our liners & pads, we are sure to have the incontinence product for your unique needs. Give us a call, and one of our Personally Delivered Product Experts will be happy to guide you through the decision-making process.

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Managing Incontinence in the Summer

woman sitting on beach wearing a black cover-up and gray floppy hat next to a pineapple, flip flops, and bag as she looks out at the oceanIn the summer, all kinds of activities and events occur outdoors. Managing incontinence in the summer can be difficult. Fewer articles of clothing are worn, making it tricky to make those products less visible underneath bathing suits and shorts.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, more than half of Americans over 65 experience some form of incontinence (either urinary or bowel). As a person ages, their risk of developing an overactive bladder increases.

Different Types of Incontinence

There are four different types of urinary incontinence:

1. Stress incontinence. This occurs when urine unintentionally leaks from the bladder when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or do any other activity that places stress on the abdomen. It is more common in women than men due to physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.

2. Urge incontinence. An overactive bladder causes a great urgency or desire to urinate, resulting in leakage of urine that cannot be suppressed. You may find yourself suddenly needing to use the restroom but cannot make it all the way.

3. Overflow incontinence.  Typically without any urge to urinate, a person will involuntarily release urine from an overfull bladder. As the kidneys continue to produce urine, the excess spills out through the urethra – similar to an overflowing dam.

4. Functional incontinence. As a result of mobility and dexterity challenges, a person will have difficulty getting to a restroom in a reasonable amount of time. The urinary and fecal body systems are working fine; however, the use of wheelchairs, Alzheimers’ disease, arthritis, or neurological conditions may affect a person’s memory or make removal of clothing difficult to use the restroom in time.

So What Can You Do?

To help manage your incontinence and ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your summer plans, there are steps you can take. Here are some of the tips that we recommend to help manage your incontinence in the summer months:

tips for managing incontinence in the summer

Have a Healthy Diet – Eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise will help maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight makes a person more likely to experience problems with incontinence. Including products high in fiber in your diet is important for preventing constipation, which can provoke urinary incontinence.

Stay Hydrated – Everyone knows the importance of drinking plenty of fluids when the outside temperatures rise. Water is the drink of choice, always avoiding diuretic beverages such as coffee, tea, or alcohol. You can also opt for rehydration and electrolyte drinks like Pedilyte or Sqwincher.

Refrain from Smoking – Not only is smoking bad for your health, it directly contributes to an overactive bladder. Second-hand smoke is just as bad, aggravating incontinence symptoms by causing sneezing and coughing.

Be Prepared – Alleviate stress and anxiety by planning ahead. Pack enough wipes, pads, diapers, extra clothes, and disposal bags for soiled items. incontinence briefs, protective underwear, a bed pad, and TENA pads for men to help when managing incontinence in the summer

Map Restroom Locations – Wherever you are headed, make sure you know where there are places to schedule regular (every 2-4 hours) bathroom breaks. There are convenient free bathroom locator apps to find relief near you, such as SitOrSquat by Charmin or this Wheelmate app from Coloplast.Wheelmate Restroom Finder App that can be helpful when managing incontinence in the summer if you are away from home or traveling

Get the Right Products – Here is where we can help! Contact us to give us a call, and one of our Product Experts will match you with the right products for your specific needs. Not all incontinence products are on-size-fits-all, so it is important to understand the differences and how sometimes pairing up products might make them work better for you based on your circumstance.

The summer is a time to enjoy life. Don’t let incontinence hold you back from traveling and seeing your friends and family. We can easily be your one-stop shop for all of your home delivery medical supply needs.

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