A urinary catheter is a tube used for draining urine from the bladder. While a nurse or a doctor can insert it, you can also perform self-catheterization, meaning you do not have to go to the hospital for this.
Who Needs a Catheter?
A catheter is used by a person that has some challenges urinating. Reasons to use it include:
- A urethra injury
- Nerve damage or bladder weakness
- Urethra blockage
- Tumors in the reproductive organs or urinary tract
A doctor can suggest patients with urinary incontinence to use a catheter. It can also be used to deliver medication to the bladder for patients with bladder cancer.
Types of Catheters
The main two types of catheters are intermittent and indwelling catheters. The former is used temporarily and gets removed after emptying the bladder. In the latter, the bladder remains in place for several days or weeks. When making an order from a medical supplier like ABC Medical, know which catheter is right for you.
A lot of people prefer the indwelling catheter over the intermittent one as it is convenient, and you do not have to keep removing it and inserting it back. This reduces the chances of an infection. Also, if you have just started using a catheter, it is normal to feel some discomfort. This often goes away once you adjust to it.
Caring for Your Urinary Catheter
Once you start using a catheter, the physician will give you advice on how to care for it. This includes what to do to reduce the risk of infection, when to get new catheter supplies, and problems to watch out for. Besides that, a catheter should not prevent you from leading a normal life. It is concealed under your clothes, and you can do other regular activities, including having sex, exercising, and swimming.
If you have problems passing urine and the doctor suggests you need a catheter, do not feel like it is the end. It is a necessary medical tool to help you stay clean and reduce discomfort.
