Welcome to the Support In Continence blog!
Our aim is to improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with these conditions – so we’ll be doing all that we can to provide you with the support and guidance that you need.
The first thing you should know about Support In Continence is that we are a community. The platform has been the result of meaningful collaboration between the World Federation of Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP), patients, patient associations, carers, healthcare professionals, and scientific societies from across the globe. In addition, we’ve had the support of Medtronic, which has allowed us to produce a relevant platform that is rich in content and centred around the values of empowerment, communication, and hope.
Support In Continence is a place where everybody has a voice, and where everybody feels supported. We need to work towards removing the stigma and taboo surrounding these issues. It’s a place that sets facts straight, so that the problem can be identified and understood. A place that gives patients and their carers the confidence to talk to a healthcare professional about intimate health issues and ‘embarrassing’ symptoms.
In fact, identifying incontinence symptoms is an important first-step on any patient’s incontinence journey. You can use the platform to gain a greater awareness about your condition, and to discover what type of incontinence you (or your family member/ friend), might be suffering from. After this, we recommend that you arrange a consultation with a healthcare professional to discuss these symptoms, and possibly undergo some diagnostic tests. The healthcare professional will then work to discover where the symptoms come from, exclude other conditions, and provide you with an official, accurate diagnosis. If you are worried about speaking to a healthcare professional, the platform provides loads of hints and advice to help prepare you for the appointment.
Once you’ve got a diagnosis, it is likely that your healthcare professional will start you on one or more first-line treatments. These include lifestyle changes, behavioural treatments, pelvic floor exercises, medical treatments and mechanical treatments. The platform explains all of these options, and explains which treatments are suitable for urinary or faecal incontinence. You’ll also find a series of infographics and videos that can help deepen your understanding. Once you’re on a first-line treatment, you and your healthcare professional will monitor your symptoms to see if it is successful. If more can be done to improve your condition, it may be time to try an advanced treatment such as surgical interventions or sacral neuromodulation. In addition, there are other therapies, such as self-care products and alternative treatments like acupuncture, that can be used to complement your main treatment plan.
As you can see, there is a lot on the platform to support your continence journey. And aside from all the information, it has been designed with you in mind. We hope that you find it easy to use, dynamic and resource rich. Start exploring today to discover interactive quizzes, patient testimonials and a whole lot more…
We can’t wait for you to join our community.
Until next time!
WFIPP
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