Adult diaper

An adult diaper is a diaper made to be worn by a person with an adult-sized body. Diapers become necessary for adults who suffer from various conditions, such as incontinence, mobility impairment, or dementia. Adult diapers are made in various forms, including those resembling traditional child diapers, underpants, and pads resembling sanitary napkins (known as incontinence pads).

In the medical community, professionals are trained to use terms such as "briefs" rather than diapers for the sake of dignity, as the term "diapers" is associated with children and may have a negative connotation. In practice, though, most health care workers are accustomed to calling them diapers.

One of the most common brands of adult diapers and similar products is Depends.

Uses

Health care

People with medical conditions which cause them to suffer from urinary or fecal incontinence often require diapers or similar products because they are unable to control their bladders or bowels. People who are bedridden or in a wheelchair, including those with good bowel and bladder control, may also wear diapers because they are unable to access the toilet independently. And those with cognitive impairment, such as dementia, may require diapers because they may not recognize their need to reach a toilet.

Fetishism

Fetishists can wear diapers for sexual gratification. People with diaper fetishism have a desire to wear diapers even though it is not a physiological necessity, and may enjoy using their diaper to various degrees, depending on the person. Infantilists wear and use diapers in ageplay, although they are considered distinct from fetishists, as "diaper lovers" are sexually motivated to wear diapers, whereas "adult babies" wish to regress to the helpless state of a baby. Other sexual uses of diapers include omorashi, rubber or plastic fetishism [ [http://understanding.infantilism.org/what.php What is Infantilism?] ] In BDSM roleplaying games, diapers can be used as a power exchange to emphasise loss of adulthood or control over bodily functions. Alternatively, they can also be liberating, as an infantilist is granted the freedom they desire to be a baby. [http://understanding.infantilism.org/abdl_for_bdsmers.php AB/DL for BDSM Enthusiasts] ]

Astronauts

Astronauts wear trunklike diapers called "Maximum Absorbency Garments", or MAGs, during liftoff and landing. [ [http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/support/training/ascan/2004/journal12.html Behind the Scenes: Training ] ] On space shuttle missions, each crew member receives three diapers — for launch, reentry and a spare in case reentry has to be waved off and tried later. [Rivenburg, Roy. (2007). [http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-spacediaper9feb10,0,2527297.story "NASA diapers become topic No. 1"] . "The Los Angeles Times". Retrieved June 15, 2007.] The super-absorbent fabric used in disposable diapers, which can hold up to 400 times its weight, was developed so Apollo astronauts could stay on spacewalks and extra-vehicular activity for at least six hours.] Some death row inmates who are about to be executed wear "execution diapers" to collect body fluids expelled during and after their death. [http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/chair.html Information on execution diapers] ] People diving in diving suits (in former times often standard diving dresses) may wear diapers because they are underwater continuously for several hours. Similarly, pilots may also wear them on long flights. Some competitive weightlifters choose to wear diapers early in their training because the pressure makes them urinate involuntarily. In 2003, "Hazards" magazine reported that workers from various industries were taking to wearing diapers because their bosses denied them toilet breaks during working hours, [cite news|title=Hazards 81 extended briefing: Toilet breaks|publisher=Hazards|url=http://www.hazards.org/toiletbreaks/|accessdate=2007-12-18] [cite news|title=Hazards: Loo Break A Right Not A Privilege|date=2003-02-25|publisher=UnionSafe|url=http://unionsafe.labor.net.au/news/104614443126575.html|accessdate=2007-12-18] while "The Epoch Times" claimed in 2006 that diapers are a popular way to avoid long bathroom lines during China's traveling season. [The Epoch Times. (2006). [http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-1-15/37041.html "Adult Diapers are Top Seller During Spring Festival Travel Season"] . "The Epoch Times". Retrieved June 15, 2007.]

The adult diaper market in Japan is growing. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUST2251820070215 P&G seeks buyer for Japan adult diaper brand | Reuters ] ] Even fully continent Japanese do not frown on wetting themselves in public, using a diaper, when toilets are inconvenient: a group of diaper-wearing Japanese tourists made the front page of the "New York Post" on New Year's Day 2008 when they agreed to pose for a publicity shot endorsing diapers as a solution to inadequate restroom facilities at the ball drop in Times Square. [ [http://www.nypost.com/seven/01012008/news/regionalnews/lets_potty_like_its_2008_10292.htm?page=0 LET'S POTTY LIKE IT'S 2008 - New York Post] ] On September 25th, 2008, Japanese manufacturers of adult diapers conducted the world's first all-diaper fashion show, dramatizing throughout it many informative dramatic scenarios which addressed various issues relevant to older people in diapers. "It was great to see so many different types of diapers all in one showing," gushed Aya Habuka, 26. "I learned a lot. This is the first time that diapers are being considered as fashion." [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHTO4V779DzG6qI07AuTiMys5tRAD93DQTJ80] [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,427822,00.html]

There are those who believe diapers are a preferable alternative to using the bathroom. According to Dr Dipak Chatterjee of Mumbai newspaper "Daily News and Analysis", public toilet facilities are so unhygienic that it is actually safer for people—especially women—who are vulnerable to infections to wear adult diapers instead. [cite news|first=Dr. Dipak|last=Chatterjee|title=Docs advise diapers over public loos|date=2007-02-11|publisher=DNA|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1079314|accessdate=2007-12-18] Seann Odoms of Men's Health magazine believes that wearing diapers can help people of all ages to maintain healthy bowel function. He himself claims to wear diapers full-time for this purported health benefit. "Diapers," he states, "are nothing other than a more practical and healthy form of underwear. They are the safe and healthy way of living." [http://menshealth.about.com/cs/fromyou/a/wear_nappies.htm Nappies seriously manage your health - Seann Odoms] ] Author Paul Davidson argues that it should be socially acceptable for everyone to wear diapers permanently, claiming that they provide freedom and remove the unnecessary hassle of going to the bathroom, just as social advancement has offered solutions to other complications. He writes, "Make the elderly finally feel embraced instead of ridiculed and remove the teasing from the adolescent equation that affects so many children in a negative way. Give every person in this world the opportunity to live, learn, grow and urinate anywhere and anytime without societal pressure to "hold themselves in."" [ [http://www.pauldavidson.net/2006/10/22/adult-diapers-for-the-rest-of-us/ Adult Diapers for the rest of us] ]

Diginity issues

The usage of adult diapers can be a source of embarrassment,cite web|last=Stack|first=Jennie Borodko|title=When You've Gotta Go, You've Gotta Go|publisher=Muscular Dystrophy Association|date=2001-02|url=http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/q81gottago.html|accessdate=2008-01-03] and products are often marketed under euphemisms such as incontinence pads.

In 2006, seventeen students taking a geriatrics pharmacotherapy course participated in a voluntary "diaper experience" exercise to help them understand the impact incontinence has on older adults. The students, who wore adult diapers for a day before writing a paper about it, described the experience as unfamiliar and physically challenging, noting that being in diapers had a largely negative impact on them and that better solutions to incontinence are required. However, they praised the exercise for giving them insight into incontinence and the effect it has on peoples' lives.cite web|url=http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p115730_index.html|title=Active Learning in a Geriatrics Pharmacotherapy Course: Outcomes Associated with a Diaper Experience Exercise|author=Boyce, Eric. and Dolder, Christian|date=2006-10-05|publisher=American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, California|accessdate=2007-12-18] Similarly, in 2008, Ontario's Minister of Health George Smitherman revealed that he was considering wearing adult diapers himself to test their absorbency following complaints that nursing home residents were forced to remain in unchanged diapers for days at a time. Smitherman's proposal earned him criticism from unions who argued that the priority was not the capacity of the diapers but rather staff shortages affecting how often they were changed, and he later apologized.cite web|url=http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=339129|title=Smitherman considers wearing diaper|author=Jordana Huber|date=2008-02-28|publisher=National Post|accessdate=2008-05-20] cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080227/smitherman_diaper_080227?s_name=&no_ads=|title=Ont. health minister prepared to don adult diaper|author=The Canadian Press|date=2008-02-27|publisher=CTV Television Network|accessdate=2008-05-20] cite web|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/02/27/john-turley-ewart-on-george-smitherman-and-his-dirty-diaper.aspx|title=John Turley-Ewart: On George Smitherman and his dirty diaper|author=John Turley-Ewart|date=2008-02-27|publisher=National Post|accessdate=2008-05-20] cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/307727|title=I'm sorry, Smitherman says|author=Rob Ferguson|date=2008-02-28|publisher=The Star.com|accessdate=2008-05-20]

ee also

*Incontinence pad

References