Jenny lauper

All about Urinary Catheters

Urinary catheters are used to drain and collect urine from the bladder. These may be recommended by a healthcare provider either for short or long-term use when an individual is suffering from urinary incontinence or retention, other medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, injury to the spinal cord or the pelvic nerve, or dementia, or has had a prostrate or gynecological surgery which has rendered him/her temporarily unable to urinate normally. 

Urinary catheters are used to drain and collect urine from the bladder. These may be recommended by a healthcare provider either for short or long-term use when an individual is suffering from urinary incontinence or retention, other medical conditions like multiple sclerosis, injury to the spinal cord or the pelvic nerve, or dementia, or has had a prostrate or gynecological surgery which has rendered him/her temporarily unable to urinate normally. In some instances, patients who have undergone a major surgery and have been put on intravenous fluids are also advised the use of urinary catheters to keep a tab on their fluid output.

Urinary catheters come in various forms—the Foley catheter is an indwelling catheter for long-term usage which is kept in place by a balloon containing sterilized water; a Robinson catheter is meant for short-term usage and is thus devoid of any in-built measures to keep it in place; the curved-tipped Coudé catheter is used in patients with prostatic urethra; and the external condom catheter which is mostly advised to elderly men suffering from dementia.

Individuals using urinary catheters must keep in mind that long-term usage of the device increases the chances of contracting urinary tract infection. Not following an intensive and regular cleansing routine is most the common cause of catheter-induced infections. In fact, having a catheter inside the body makes it difficult to treat urinary tract infection. To ensure that such complications do not arise, users must diligently adhere to the following cleansing routine:

• Cleanse the urethral area and the catheter every day.
• Disconnect the drainage bag from the catheter only after cleaning your hands thoroughly.
• Clean the drainage bag and the connector every day.

Advances in Medicine has led to simplification of diagnostic procedures, discovery of more effective drugs, and the development of patient care devices that enable an ailing person or someone recuperating from an illness or a surgery carry on with his daily routine. For instance, while portable ultrasound machine has made it possible to carry out precautionary medical checks from the comfortable confines of home, urinary catheters have made it possible for many an ailing individual lead a life of dignity and privacy.

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