Specialty language used here

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This forum uses a lot of specialty language, terms, words. Is there a thread that defines them?
Examples: Is the word "diapers" the cloth idea we used to use for babies, complete with "diaper pins"? Does that mean there is wet cloth against skin for hours? What about "diaper rash"?
There are several types of "catheters", used for either different times or purposes. Define those. Brand names make for confusion or mystification. What's a "Foley" catheter compared to other "types"?
There are different types of disposables. I know of 2 that do the same function (I think): the kind called "pull-ups" - like underwear called "briefs" - and the kind sometimes used in Hospitals that use that one-time sticky-tape or that Velcro-like tape. Which word or words for which? The hospital ones used on me last operation didn't fit right (I wasn't allowed to take off or put on) - and as far as I'm concerned, over half the nurses didn't do it right/fit it right. It resulted in leaks or discomfort (Mental & physical). The bulls*** explanation why i could put on/fit/take off was "Liability". What liability? That question never got answered, for that or anything else.
Sometimes, the "type name" is dropped and the "brand name" is substituted. Sort of like "scotch tape" being used as a generic, even if the tape isn't made by 3-M. Are "generics" the same thing? I found a store-brands, and the only visible difference was the packing, external and internal. I've found store brands that didn't cut it, so to speak.
Incontinence products vs. women's "sanitary pads" - is there a real reason they aren't interchangeable? Both absorb liquid, both have odor control.
The list goes on.
Any help?

 

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there is nothing brief about an adult diaper

 

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Feisty!! And i like it!!
Rage against the dark night, alas
Rage against the machine, we're all here until we're not here. Rage and be at peace.

 

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I don't know whether there is a place where all of these terms are defined, but I can help with a little bit of information. Others, please correct me if my definitions aren't correct or complete. "Diapers" as used here are similar to the disposable diapers used for children and toddlers. I don't know of any adult products that are like the cloth-and-pins ones that you describe (and that I, too, remember). These products usually have absorbent material in the crotch that is covered by fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin and into the absorbent core.

Some catheters are inserted, used for a single drainage session, then removed. Others, the "Foley" included, are inserted and stay in for more than one session. Sometimes they are called "in-dwelling" catheters.

"Pull-ups" is a term that first came to my notice as a kind of disposable training pants (if you remember cloth diapers, you probably remember training pants also) for toddlers. Its use for adult products indicates that the item is literally pulled on like a pair of underpants (briefs?), rather than taped on as a diaper would be.

In medical (and many other) settings, the term "liability" is shorthand for "If something goes wrong, we will be vulnerable to being found negligible or at fault if you or your family sues us." The institution and/or individual that/who uses this term is trying to protect it/him/herself by controlling the circumstances under which something is done. (Yes, even something as simple as putting on your own garment.)

The term "generic" in a medical setting refers to a drug or instrument that is not made by, and does not carry the brand name of the original holder of the patent, even though it may be identical to the original product. Once the patent expires, other companies may make and distribute the product. Often the brand name is covered by copyright, which is a whole different kind of law, so it cannot be sold under the same name.

Store brands may be made by the same company as some brand names, others may not. Some companies state that they do not make store brands. The only way to tell whether a store brand is as good as a name brand is to try it or rely upon the testimony of someone else who has done so.

Women's sanitary napkins (pads) are designed to catch and absorb menstrual fluid, which is much more viscous than urine and may even contain blood clots, so they may not work as well as products that are specifically designed to absorb urine, which is thinner, or feces, which are thicker. That said, pantiliners may be useful for very light urinary incontinence because they are designed to absorb such substances as spermicide and normal vaginal discharges, as well as very light menstrual spotting.

I hope that this was helpful.

 

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Good job, Diana!

 

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Diana that was an excellent summary! However there are a few things I would add or modify slightly. As I understand it absorbent products come in 3 basic categories which are briefs, pull-ups and pads.

Briefs are diapers. However, most medical professionals and suppliers seem to tend to use the word briefs to sort of destigmatize the item and separate it from the notion of diapers used for babies and toddlers. Most of us have decided to call a spade a spade and simply call them what they are...diapers. It’s a lot less confusing and straight forward. Adult Diapers can be disposable or washable/reusable. Disposable diapers can be plastic backed or cloth backed and come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, thicknesses, absorbancies and even colors. Disposables have various types of closure tabs that can be tapes (either with landing strip or second-chance tapes to allow for adjusting the fit) or Velcro-like which are also refastenable. Reusable diapers can be pinned or Velcro or maybe even snapped(?) but require an extra outer layer to provide waterproofing (diaper covers as some call them or plastic pants). These covers come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, materials and colors. Some reusable diapers are all-in-one meaning the absorbent layers are included inside a waterproof outer layer. Sometimes these absorbent layers are removable or additional layers can be added to modify and tailor the diaper’s thickness and absorbency as needed. Diapers are generally used for moderate to heavy incontinence.

Pull-ups are just that, pull-ups. These are put on and off like underwear, but disposable pull-ups can be ripped at the sides to take them off if desired. Pull-ups can be disposable or washable/reusable and come in a wide variety of materials, sizes, shapes, brands, etc. Pull-ups are generally used for light to moderate to heavy incontinence depending on the individual (item & user).

Pads are shaped and function like menstrual pads, well described above, except that they do actually make pads specifically for incontinence. These are not the same as feminine hygiene pads! As Diana said, though they are not truly interchangeable, the feminine pads still could be helpful for some people in certain instances. Most pads (both incontinence & menstrual) have an adhesive strip to help hold them in place inside your underwear. Incontinence Pads too can be either disposable or washable/reusable. The reusable ones usually have Velcro or some other means to maintain position vice an adhesive strip. Most pads are gender neutral but they do also make male and female-specific versions that have greater padding and capacity where it tends to be needed the most based on genitalia (front vs middle). Pads are generally used for light to moderate incontinence.

ALL of this being said EVERY user must figure out what works for them individually. There is no single best answer. There is a LOT of trial and error to figure it out. Some users add a combination approach using or stacking more than one product together. For example using pads inside of pull-ups. There is also another thing called a “booster” that can be used in combination with the diapers (briefs) or pull-ups to increase the absorbency and capacity. Boosters are flow-through absorbent materials and do not have plastic backing like the pads do. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and capacities.

 

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Vestalm - Thank you for the addendum. I learned a lot about reusable products from reading it.

 

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@Diana and @Vestalm very good explanation. One of my pet peeves is the use of "super", "plus", "ultra" and the like to describe absorbent products which really tells you nothing about how well the product will work for you.

Another pet peeve is the use of "flex". Is that a code word for cheaper? That seems to be the case for NorthShore "flex" products. Pretty much all of these things flex, right? Or at least stretch. Ugh!

 

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Do I ever appreciate Diana, Vestalm, and Squander! You too, MayMay! Do not go gently into that dark night.
Got one more question. The only advice I've ever gotten about using "pads" and UTIs is not to exceed 8 hours without changing them. Two nurses said the same.
Does that accord with what everyone here knows? Is it different for male and female? For amount of urine soaked up?
Squander: that's why I appreciate the "droplet" scale!
It is kind of weird/telling the wording differences used and the topics avoided in the advertising. I long-ago gave up on those 3-fold pamphlets in Doctors office. They portray things like recovery from Total Knee Replacement as literally a walk in the park. Grrrr! Or the only treatment for Incontinence is surgery, or one particular brand-name drug. What did that one Pope call that kind of capitalism?
For some odd reason, if there were notices of these replies being posted, i didn't get them until now or the titles threw me off.
Thanks, all!

 

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I have heard that same 8 hour limit, it sounds reasonable. I would also say keep clean between changes to help with odor and UTIs.

 

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I don’t think you can put a number on the time because everyone is so very different and there are too many variables. What type of protection you are wearing, whether (and what type) of barrier cream or ointment, skin type, hydration status (urine concentration), quantity of wetness, etc.

 

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@Squander I wish one could last eight hours. Haha oy vey