A urinary catheter is a thin tube that can be inserted into your bladder to collect urine and flows directly into a drainage bag.
When to use urinary catheters?
- individuals experiencing challenges in urinating naturally
- individual who are unable to control the timing of urination
- individuals with urinary incontinence
- pre and post surgery bladder emptying
- bladder drainage during childbirth with epidural anesthesia
- to administer medication directly into the bladder, during chemotherapy for bladder cancer
2 Types of urinary catheters
The 2 main types of urinary catheters are:
- Intermittent catheters: can be insterted temporarily into the bladder, and taken out when the bladder is empty.
- Indwelling catheters: stay in for days or weeks, are held in position by an inflated balloon in the bladder
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What are urinary catheters made of?
- rubber
- plastic (PVC)
- silicone
How to take care of your catheters?
Reusable catheters: make sure to clean both
the catheter and the area where it goes in with soap and water to lower the
risk of a UTI.
One-time use catheters come in sterile packaging, so you only need to
clean your body before inserting it.
Drink plenty of water to keep your urine clear or slightly yellow to help prevent infection.
Empty the urine collection bag at least every 8 hours or when it's full. Use a plastic squirt bottle with a mix of vinegar and water or bleach and water to clean the bag.
Side effects of urinary catheters
- bladder spasms which feels like stomach cramps
- blockage in the catheter's drainage system caused by blood or debris trapped in the catheter tube
- catheter leakage can occur due to a system blockage or pushing during toileting, especially when constipated.
- injuries to the urethra or bladder may happen
- bladder stones, least likely, but may happen after prolonged catheter use
While UTI is the most common side effect, you may feel any of the side effects
mentioned. Talk to your doctor when you start feeling any of those.
Risk factors
Urinary catheters may contribute to infections in the bladder, urethra, or
occasionally the kidneys. These infections are collectively known as UTI or
urinary tract infections, which typically require antibiotic treatment.
Prolonged catheter usage, whether using a short-term or long-term catheter, has a risk of contracting UTI. This is why it's important that catheters are inserted correctly, maintained properly, and only used for as long as necessary.
Catheter on both male and female
Note: The images used in
this blog are sourced from various platforms and are intended for illustrative
purposes only.
Urinary catheters are usually inserted by a doctor or nurse. Please contact your
GP or healthcare provider if you need one.
