An incontinence pad is a small impermeable multi-layered sheet with high absorbency that is used in the health-care industry. The term can also used to refer to what are more correctly known as Incontinence Diapers. Actual incontinence pads are usually placed on a bed or chair under a patient as a precaution against incontinence. Incontinence pads can either be reusable and laundered to use many times, or disposable. Most institutions prefer the use once and throw away disposable type. They are also sometimes used (incorrectly) as a patient-transfer device.
Incontinence pads are manufactured in light and heavy grades. The light grades can be manufactured worldwide, but heavy grades are too bulky to make long-distance transport economic. Therefore most developed countries are likely to maintain facilities for manufacturing heavy incontinence pads.
Unlike sanitary napkins that are used to soak up the blood that comes out of a woman's vagina, an incontinence pad can be used by men and women to absorb urine.
These sorts of pads can come as panty-liners, inserts, pads or even as replacement underwear.
Some companies that make incontinence pads are Kimberly-Clark Worldwide (maker of Poise brand), Depend, Hartmann's, Stayfree Libra and Conni.
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