Why Do You Need Gutter Covers?

Your home is the fulfillment of your dreams, the fruit of your labor, the nest where you and your loved ones share precious moments in. That’s why you made sure that it was built with a strong foundation and still strive hard to maintain its beauty inside and out. You spend a lot of time, money and effort for repainting, repairing your roof and gutters. Why should you do so when all it takes are gutter covers to minimize those costly repairs?

The Advantages of Gutter Covers

Some people think that gutter covers are just additional expenses that do not really give the desired results. Are they really? Look at some of their advantages:

1. Ensure your safety. We all know that clogged gutters need to be cleaned, necessitating you to climb ladders, an action which has been found to be the leading cause of lifelong injuries and even fatal accidents at home. With the right gutter covers, you no longer need to climb ladders.


2. Promote your health. These covers discourage the growth and increase of disease-spreading pests like mosquitoes and rodents that usually breed on dirty, ill-maintained gutters.


3. Maintain the beauty of your home. Your walls will be safe from the damages brought about by overflowing water from clogged gutters. That means your paint can last longer.


4. Add value to your home. Of course, a beautiful, well-maintained home with clean gutters can fetch a higher price – just in case you decide to sell it.


5. Eliminate costly maintenance. No annual repainting, no frequent gutter cleanups translate to huge savings for you.


6. Promote green living. You can even collect the water from your downspouts and use it for watering your plants.

Questions to Ask When Choosing Gutter Covers

Not all gutter covers are created equal. It depends on the design and the materials used. Here are some points to consider when choosing gutter covers for your home:

1. Do you live in an area that experiences larger volume of rain?


2. What kinds of trees surround your home?


3. Can they withstand heavy rains, strong winds, animals and even the weight of accumulated leaves and debris?


4. Will they affect the beauty of your home?


5. Are they easy to maintain?


6. How much are you willing to spend?

The Best Gutter Covers

There are four main types of covers: reverse curve, mesh, bottlebrush and foam. Each has its own distinct qualities that can benefit specific types of homes and climates. For example, Oregon and Southwest Washington are areas that get larger volumes of rain than others.

That’s why homes in these areas need gutter covers that are made from perforated aluminum in order to withstand as much as 15 inches of rainfall per hour. The small holes also serve as barriers that can block the smallest debris like seeds, pine and fir needles.

The best covers must also be strong and durable to stand against 100 plus mph winds or from pressure brought about by the formation of ice, accumulation of snow and even from animals.

Should You Do It Yourself?

Yes, you can, if you have the right tools and skills and if you’re willing to risk life and limb when climbing ladders. Otherwise, you’re better off hiring professionals to do the job for you.

Read more at >> Why Do You Need Gutter Covers?

7 Healthcare Professionals Who Can Help if You Have Urinary Incontinence

Getting help is not easy for people with urinary incontinence. Many of them would rather keep the problem to themselves than make time to set an appointment with a doctor. That way they don’t have to talk about their recurring episodes of urine leakage. But ignoring a bladder problem will not go away on its own. It has to be treated and treatments vary on the type of incontinence you are experiencing.

The first step to overcoming incontinence is acknowledging it. You have to realize that you are not alone in that situation. There are millions of people who are going through the same crisis. The good news is there are several people you can turn to for help. Here are some of them:

Primary Care Physician

Your primary care doctor is a good starting point as far as seeking help is concerned. S/he can make diagnosis based on your symptoms and lifestyle.  S/he can offer recommendations or refer you to a specialist who can better handle your concerns.

Gynecologist

Stress incontinence, or the loss of urine when you exert pressure, is very common in women. It is likely to occur during pregnancy or after giving birth. So if you are in a family way or had just gone through childbirth do not hesitate to discuss with your gynecologist any incontinence symptoms you are having. S/he can help you understand why you are experiencing it and may provide suggestions on how to alleviate discomforts. Just like a primary care doctor, your gynecologist can refer you to a specialist who is more equipped to run a test on you.

Urologist

A urologist is a medical specialist that deals with problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. In men, the removal of prostate gland can cause stress incontinence. Similarly, prostate enlargement and prostate cancer can lead to a bladder problem. If you start experiencing urine leakage and your primary care cannot diagnose or treat it then you should see a urologist.

Psychiatrist

Urinary incontinence can take a toll on your emotional health. It could trigger feelings of embarrassment or guilt, and causes depression, low self-esteem and isolation. When left untreated, your quality of life may be challenged. Talking with a psychiatrist will be helpful in dealing with the nonphysical effects of incontinence. An experienced psychiatrist would be able to help you practice behavioral therapy which may improve your current situation.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are not only well-versed in dispensing prescription drugs, they can also provide you information about the medications you are taking that contribute to your urinary incontinence. Aside from that they can recommend over-the-counter products that can help you in properly managing your leakage.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction can provide preventive measures and treatment that are beneficial in resolving symptoms of urinary incontinence. They can perform biofeedback and teach you bladder training like Kegel exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.

Nutritionist

Certain foods can cause incontinence. If you are already experiencing symptoms related to it then it’s about time you take a look at what you are eating or drinking. A nutritionist can teach you about how the food you eat or drink affect or exacerbate your condition. S/he can also provide recommendations on fiber-rich food to include in your diet to avoid constipation, another known trigger of incontinence

Ref:
Health.com
MedicalNewsToday
MayoClinic

Read more at >> 7 Healthcare Professionals Who Can Help if You Have Urinary Incontinence

How to Make Life Easier for Parents with Urinary Incontinence

Living with incontinent parents can be challenging. You have to understand what they are going through and offer needed support to alleviate any feelings of worthlessness. Sometimes you may need to take them to a doctor for routine check-up, or create a toilet schedule that works best for the type of incontinence they had been diagnosed with. If you have never dealt with a similar situation in the past it might be tougher for you to help your aging parent manage his/her frequent and uncontrollable urination.

As you will find out, urinary incontinence can be a distressing condition. The typical symptoms include involuntary release of urine, inability to reach a toilet in time, leaking small to moderate amount of urine several times a day, and frequent/sudden uncontrollable need to urinate. Often, incontinent people feel they did not only lose bladder control but also their confidence to carry on with their lives.

If you have a parent with urinary incontinence it would be prudent to know some of the practical measures you can take to help him/her live life smoother and easier despite his/her bladder problem.

1. Get your parent to wear accessible clothing

For aging parents with urinary incontinence, choosing the right clothes for them to wear can greatly help when the urge to urinate arises. An elderly woman will find it easier to strip down stockings than tights. The same goes for full skirts than tight pants. For incontinent men, boxer shorts would make a better alternative to Y-front underwear. If possible, avoid too much layering as this could get in the way when the time to use the toilet comes. There are a handful of adaptive clothes you can check out that are specially designed for individuals with bladder problems.

2. Get alternatives to the toilet

There will always come a time when your loved one passes urine without making it to the toilet in time. Preparation is key to prevent this from happening. You can assign a commode, a hand-held urinal, or a bedpan to your parent’s room so that s/he does not need to hurry to the bathroom to release urine.

3. Stock enough absorbent pads and protective garments

This is especially helpful when going on long journeys. Many of these products are lighter than usual underwear which makes them easier and more comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Adult diapers can be purchased at drugstores, supermarkets, online stores, and medical supplies shops. There are also available plastic pants which protect from mild to moderate urinary incontinence leaks.

4. Make the toilet environment safe

Keep the toilet location well lighted to avoid accidents. Remove objects that can cause your incontinent parent to trip over or fall. Installing an elevated toilet seat would be a good idea, too, as it will be easier for your loved one to sit down when experiencing stiff hips.

5. Invest on essential living aids

For those with walking difficulty, reaching the toilet can be quite inconvenient. So you might consider getting your loved one a walking aid or a stair lift. These products are ideal for preventing untoward accidents when your loved one feels the need to go.

Ref:
MayoClinic
WebMD
AgeUK

Read more at >> How to Make Life Easier for Parents with Urinary Incontinence

5 Habits That Help Reduce Incontinence Risk

Incontinence can be an embarrassing problem. Nobody would ever want to be in a situation where they can’t control the passing of their urine or stool. But it could happen just the same, at least for millions of people. Statistics estimate that more than 15 million American women and about 6 million men are dealing with incontinence. The actual number is deemed higher because not everyone with this personal crisis is eager to discuss the issue with a doctor.

While most of us think that incontinence occurs only in adults, the reality is that it could affect anyone regardless of age and gender. Women are more likely than men to experience urinary incontinence. And as you age, your chances becomes bigger. Even though urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence are not always preventable, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk.

Here are five habits you can start practicing now to lessen your chances of having incontinence:

1. Drink plenty of fluids

One would think that limiting fluid intake is the best way to solve incontinence. However, not drinking enough causes constipation and bladder irritation. As such, you should consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid, which can be in the form of water, juices, soups, milk, coffee or tea. A word of caution though, since caffeine can trigger temporary urinary incontinence you might as well monitor the amount you’re taking. For example, if you notice that drinking two cups of coffee makes you urinate uncontrollably then it’s time to cut back. Water is still the best option when it comes to hydrating yourself.

2. Exercise regularly

Remember how experts always remind us to get physically active most of the time? Not only does it help us maintain a healthy weight, it also stimulates muscular activity of the bowel and tone the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is directly responsible for bladder and bowel control. When it is weakened (usually due to obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, or lack of physical activity), stress incontinence may occur. You don’t have to go for an expensive or strenuous form of exercise. A brisk 30-minute walk or jogging every day can do wonders to your health. Kegel exercise is also a good preventive measure for incontinence.

3. Eat more high-fiber foods

Fiber-rich foods like wholegrain cereals and fruits help reduce constipation, a well-known culprit in fecal incontinence. Ideally, you should consume 30 to 60 grams of fiber every day. A cup of berries gives you 8 grams of fiber while a cup of cubed squash is equivalent to 10 grams of fiber. Other high-fiber food you can introduce in your diet include celery, leafy greens, bran, cauliflower, broccoli, and mushrooms.

4. Improve toilet visit

Do not hold it in when your bladder is full. Let your urine flow at its own speed. Similarly, go to a toilet if you feel the urge to pass bowel or you risk getting constipated.

5. Avoid smoking

If you smoke, quit it. Otherwise, it’s better to stay away from this habit because it causes bladder contraction which increases your risk of overactive bladder.

Ref:
MayoClinic
Better Health Channel
HealthCentral
Healthaliciousness.com

Read more at >> 5 Habits That Help Reduce Incontinence Risk

What to Do When Urinary Incontinence Invades Your Life

One of the things that most people worry about aging is the possibility of experiencing urinary incontinence.  As it turns out, many of us believe this kind of bladder problem only occurs when we reach our senior years.  But is that really the case? Is incontinence a medical problem we should be scared of?

According to the National Association for Continence, at least 200 million people worldwide are suffering from urinary incontinence. In the United States, 25 million adults experience transient or chronic incontinence.  Majority of whom are women.

The best way to deal with urinary incontinence is to learn more about it and know the different treatment options available. If you have a friend or relative with this dilemma you would better understand what they are going through and offer support when you have an idea why it happens in the first place.

What is Urinary Incontinence

Experts define urinary incontinence as the loss of bladder control. It strikes both sexes, regardless of age, but more common in women and people older than 50 years old. Contrary to the popular belief that incontinence is a disease, it is in fact a symptom of an underlying condition.

In the book A Woman’s Guide to Urinary Incontinence, Dr. Rene Genadry and Dr. Jacek L. Mostwin enumerated the several causes of urinary incontinence as follows:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)


• Pregnancy and childbirth


• Menopause


• Diabetes


• Multiple sclerosis


• Stroke


• Spinal injuries


• Injuries to the pelvic region


• Obesity


• Pelvic surgery


• Medications

Incontinence can also be triggered by infection, nerve damage, bladder irritation, and overhydration. Even food some of the food you eat (e.g. alcohol, carbonated drinks, tea, and coffee) can cause temporary incontinence. The amount of urine leakage vary from just a few drops to heavy volume.

Risk Factors

The common perception is that incontinence presents itself when people get older. But age is only one of the many factors that increases a person’s risk of developing urinary incontinence.

Women are at more likely than men to experience stress incontinence due to pregnancy and child birth. However, men with prostate gland problems are at higher risk to have urge and overflow incontinence.

Being overweight is another risk factor because it increases the pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles. As your muscles weaken, urine leaks out when you cough or sneeze.

Smoking is also a known risk factor of incontinence. If you are already diagnosed with having incontinence, smoking can aggravate your problem.

Recognizing Urinary Incontinence

There are several different types of urinary incontinence. Knowing what type of incontinence you have will greatly help in determining the kind of treatment you must undergo.

1. Stress incontinence – the most common type of urinary incontinence. It happens because of sudden pressure on your lower stomach muscle, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, lifting, jogging, jumping, or exercising.

2. Urge incontinence – also called “overactive bladder.” It is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate. Urine leakage may occur during sleep, after drinking water, or touching running water. This type of incontinence is more common in elderly.

3. Overflow incontinence – occurs because of a person’s inability to empty his/her bladder. It usually happens to people with damaged bladder, nerve damage or blocked urethra.

4. Functional incontinence – a type of incontinence that is normally seen in people with physical or mental disability. Their condition prevents them from making it to a toilet in time.

5. Transient incontinence – a urinary incontinence that occurs for a short period of time as a result of an illness. This problem goes away when the illness has been treated.

6. Mixed incontinence – involves two or more types of incontinence listed above.

Getting Help

Incontinence is never an easy topic to discuss with friends, relatives, or a family doctor.  When you are suffering from it you’ll inevitably feel a sense of embarrassment and distress which could force you to withdraw from your social circle. But bringing your problem to a professional health care practitioner can go a long way. Instead of having to suffer in silence you can find an ally in your doctor.

If you are worried that you may have urinary incontinence one of the first things you can do is to jot down all incontinence-related symptoms you are experiencing. Take note of the medicines you were taking as well as any life changes or stresses you were going through lately.

Questions to Ask  Doctor

As it is, doctors are busy people. They won’t have plenty of time to accommodate you on your scheduled appointment, so might as well prepare a list of question to ask. Here are a few inquiries you can bring up.

• Are my symptoms a result of urinary incontinence?


• What type of incontinence do I have?


• What kind of tests do I need?


• Is my incontinence temporary?


• What treatments are available?


•  Are there dietary restrictions I must follow while undergoing treatment?


• How long before I could see improvements in my condition?


• What are other ways to manage my urinary incontinence?

Building Support System

People with urinary incontinence often find it easier to hide their problem than talk about it openly. They feel that unloading their burden is going to alienate them from  friends, family, and colleagues.  To prevent this  from happening they would carry on with their lives as if nothing is bothering them. However, experts agree that this approach will not improve the condition of an incontinent person.

It is important to realize that incontinence can be partially or totally corrected when addressed properly. If you have a strong feeling that you may have urinary incontinence don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. Bring your concern to a doctor. Confide with a friend or a family member. Talk with a counselor or locate incontinence support groups in your community.

On the other hand, if you know someone who’s braving urinary incontinence, let him/her know you’re there whenever that person needs you. Immediate medical attention, appropriate treatment, and a solid support group can all do wonders for the incontinent person.

Ref:
Mayo Clinic
National Association for Continence
FamilyDoctor.org
WomensHealth.gov
A Woman’s Guide to Urinary Incontinence

Read more at >> What to Do When Urinary Incontinence Invades Your Life

When Do You Need Gutter Replacement?

No matter how much we take care of our homes, there’s always that certain component that needs to be replaced rather than repaired. You replace your faucet when repairing it does not stop it from leaking. You replace light fixtures when they stop providing illumination to your home. It’s the same thing with gutters. You need gutter replacement when repairs just can’t fix the problems anymore.

But how do you really know when it’s better to replace rather than repair your gutters? Below is a list of what you should look for.

Signs That You Need Gutter Replacement

As with anything else, early prevention matters. Knowing when to replace your gutters can save you from more costly repairs to your home’s foundation and its surroundings. Here are the things that will tell you that gutter replacement will be better than repairs:

Cracks

Are you tired of applying patches and sealants to the cracks in your gutters? Can the patches stop the leaking? Are the cracks getting bigger? Sure, patches and sealants don’t cost much, but not when you need to use them a lot. Not to mention that the leakage that comes from those cracks can cause major damages to your home’s walls and foundation.

Peeling paint and water marks

Is the paint in your gutter and the areas just below it peeling off? This means that water is leaking, causing the paint to peel off. This defies the very purpose of having gutters, which is to protect and preserve your home by diverting water away from it.

Sagging

Are your gutters drooping in certain parts? This can be due to the faulty installation of hangers. They might have been spaced too far apart so they cannot support the weight of the gutter. The stress increases during rainy season, when there’s a large volume of rain water. This causes the gutters to droop.

Pulling away

Gutters that are pulling away from your home should never be ignored because they may fall anytime, leading to accidents that may affect you and your loved ones. And, without the gutters in place, rainwater will flow freely on the walls and foundation of your home.

Standing water

Standing or pooling water is an indication that your gutters are clogged with dirt and debris. This leads water to overflow to the foundation of your home. If cleaning your gutters just won’t do the trick, consider replacing the portion where the overflow occurs.

Molds and mildew

Check the walls just below the gutters. If you see mold and mildew, then, it’s time for gutter replacement. It’s because these microorganisms are clear indications that there are leaks in your gutters that you cannot easily detect as they only appear in areas that get damp frequently.

Basement flooding

Do you notice water pooling in your basement but don’t have any idea where it comes from? Most likely, that is the effect of poorly installed or worn out gutters. If this is your case, your best bet would be gutter replacement.

Gutter replacement is necessary when repairs can no longer fix issues like cracks, peeling paint, watermarks, sagging, pulling away, standing water and basement flooding.

Read more at >> When Do You Need Gutter Replacement?

What Makes Male Urinary Incontinence Harder to Treat?

Five million men suffer from male urinary incontinence. Yes, this is true and this fact comes from none other than the North Texas Center for Urinary Control, as well as from other authorities in kidney health and incontinence. Not to mention that there are millions of unreported cases about the affliction.

So what makes male urinary incontinence harder to treat? There are a lot of reasons, actually. They are as follows:

Embarrassment

This is probably the main reason why male urinary incontinence is hard to treat. Men suffering from it find it easier to admit that they have poor control over their emotions than their bladders. They opt to keep the affliction to themselves rather than consult a physician, causing them to suffer physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and even sexually. They are afraid of getting leaks during their working hours, lifting weights, bonding moments with friends and loved ones or even when they are having sexual activities.

Lack of information

Another factor which hinders men from seeking help is the lack of information surrounding male urinary incontinence. You can find informative posters about HIV, tuberculosis, cancer and heart ailments in different health centers and hospitals, but not for incontinence. It’s as if people would rather avoid the issue. They’ll feel more comfortable talking about other diseases, even contagious ones, rather than discuss male urinary incontinence. The truth is, each hospital or medical facility has a unit dedicated to kidney and urinal diseases, and that includes incontinence. There are also many websites that deal with it as well. You can ask for advice, join forums and get recommendations as to the different kinds of treatments available for it.

Lone sufferer

“I am alone. I am the only male who suffers from this malady”. Such an erroneous idea exists in the minds of five million men who have male urinary incontinence. Such an irony, isn’t it? You try to hide your symptoms, and worse, even deny that you are incontinent. You’d rather wallow yourself in pity, limit your activities to areas that have easier access to toilets and even miss out on all the fun and excitement that life has to offer due to your fear of leaking. You might also think that surgery is your only way out from that embarrassing disease. No it isn’t. Consult your physician as soon as you can to enjoy a more productive and fuller life.

Only the sick or oldies get it

Some men think that only older males or those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases are the ones who can experience incontinence. This is another misconception since it can happen to any male regardless of age, race and physique. Some athletes admit that they too, suffer from male incontinence.

Self treatment

Lest they be found out, some men resort to taking medications that do not require prescriptions to address their male urinary incontinence. They just buy adult diapers, waterproof pants, male drip collectors and similar products to cover their disease. The problem is, these medications and products do not treat the root cause – they only mask the symptoms, nothing more. In some cases, self-treatment has been found to aggravate the disease.

Is male urinary incontinence harder to treat?

No, it isn’t. All a man needs to do is overcome his embarrassment, obtain reliable information, deal with misconceptions and seek help from qualified professionals.

Read more at >> What Makes Male Urinary Incontinence Harder to Treat?