- Stomach cramps are quite common when a person has a catheter in their bladder. The pain that occurs in the bladder trying to squeeze out the balloon. There will be a need for medicine to reduce the frequency and intensity of the spasms.
- In indwelling catheters, leakage may happen. It can happen when the bladder spasms or when a person poos. Leakage happens when the catheter is blocked, so it’s essential to check that it’s draining.
- Blood or debris in the catheter tube is also common with an indwelling catheter. This could become a problem if the catheter drainage system becomes blocked.
- Urethra or bladder injuries.
- Hematuria: Red blood cells are present in urine, which can cause the urine to appear red or brown. When a person first starts using an intermittent catheter hematuria is common, but persistent hematuria may indicate a UTI.
- Urethral strictures: Narrowing of the urethra that can result from repeated trauma. A person who inserts intermittent catheters by itself repeatedly over many months has a higher risk of urethral strictures.
Urinary catheter: Uses, Types and Risks
When urine is collected from the urinary bladder into a drainage bag this is known as a urinary catheter. A doctor or nurse usually inserts a urinary catheter. Many sizes and types of urinary catheters. We can use urinary catheters by using rubber, plastic (PVC), or silicone. Catheters may be necessary in cases when a person can’t empty their bladder by natural process. If the bladder isn’t emptied by natural processes, urine can build up and lead to pressure in the kidneys. This pressure can lead to kidney failure, which can be dangerous and result in permanent damage to the kidneys.
A must read-How to measure blood pressure at home – My Biology Dictionary
Most catheters are necessary until you regain the ability to urinate by a natural process, which is usually a short period of time. Older adults and those with a permanent injury or severe illness may need to use urinary catheters for a much longer time or throughout their life.
Table of Contents
Uses
A urinary catheter is usually used when a person has difficulty peeing (urinating) by natural process. It can also empty the bladder before or after surgery and help perform certain tests.
Many reasons to use urinary catheter includes:
- Allow urine to drain if you have an obstruction in the tube that carries urine out of your bladder (urethra).
- To allow you to urinate if you have bladder weakness or nerve damage that affects your ability to pee.
- Drain your bladder during childbirth if you have an epidural anesthetic (Epidural anesthesia is a technique for perioperative pain management with multiple applications in anesthesiology).
- After some types of surgery bladder should be drained by using a urinary catheter.
- To deliver medicine directly into the bladder, such as during chemotherapy for bladder cancer.
Types of urinary catheters
- Urethral catheters
- Condom catheters
- Intermittent catheters
Urethral or Suprapubic Catheters-Indwelling catheter
An indwelling catheter is also known as a Foley catheter that sits in the bladder. This can be useful for long and short periods of time. A nurse or a doctor usually inserts this type of catheter into the bladder through the urethra. Sometimes, these catheters are inserted into the bladder through a tiny hole in the abdomen instead of the urethra. This type of catheter is known as a suprapubic catheter.
A tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated with water to prevent the tube from sliding out of the body. The balloon can then deflate when the catheter needs to be removed.
Condom catheters-External catheter
A catheter that is placed outside the body is known as a condom catheter. It is typically necessary for people with a penis who don’t have urinary retention problems but have serious functional or mental disabilities, such as dementia. It is a device that looks like a condom that covers the outer part of the penis head. A tube is attached to the condom into a drainage bag. These catheters are generally more comfortable than any other. It carries a lower risk of infection than indwelling catheters. Condom catheters are non-reusable but some brands can be reusable. These can change daily so there is less chance of skin problems in this case.
Intermittent catheters-Short term catheters
In some cases, a person may only need a catheter for a short period of time after surgery until the bladder empties. After the bladder empties, it’s necessary to remove the short-term catheter. Healthcare professionals refer to this as an in-and-out catheter.
In a home setting, people are trained to apply the catheter themselves or with the help of a caregiver. It can be done through the urethra or through a hole created in the lower abdomen for catheterization.
Why do we use urinary catheters?
A doctor recommends a urinary catheter if a person:
- Can’t control at the time of urinating.
- Having a problem with urinary incontinence.
- Have urinary retention.
The reasons why a person may not be able to urinate on their own include
- Blocked urine flow due to:
Blood clots in the urine
Bladder or kidney stones
Severe enlargement of the prostate gland - Prostate gland surgery.
- Surgery of the genital area, such as a hip fracture repair or hysterectomy.
- Injury to the nerves of the bladder.
- Injury of the spinal cord.
- A condition that impairs your mental function, such as dementia.
- Medications impair the ability of a person’s bladder muscles to squeeze, which causes urine to remain stuck in the bladder.
Risks of urinary catheter
The main risk of using a urinary catheter is that bacteria and other microorganisms may enter the body. This can cause an infection in the bladder, urethra, or, less commonly, in the kidneys. These infections are known as urinary tract infections.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
UTIs caused by using a catheter is one of the most common types of infection that affect people staying in the hospital. This risk is particularly high if the catheter is left in place continuously (an indwelling catheter) where it is applied.
Symptoms of a UTI after using a urinary catheter includes:
- Pain occurs in the lower portion of the stomach and groin region
- A very high temperature
- The feeling of coldness and shivery
- Confusion
Side Effects
How do you care for a urinary catheter?
Reusable catheters are available that can use only one time. When a person is using reusable catheters, they should clean both the catheter and the area where it enters the body with soap and water to reduce the risk of a UTI. One-time-use catheters come in sterile packaging, so only a person has to clean their body before using them.
It would help a person if they drink plenty of water to clear their urine or only slightly yellow. It will further help prevent infection.
Empty the drainage bag of a person at least after every 8 hours or whenever the bag is full. Use a plastic squirt bottle containing a mixture of vinegar and water or bleach and water to clean the drainage bag. Read more on clean intermittent self-catheterization.
Summary
A urinary catheter is an important material for a person who has difficulty passing urine. There are many different types of catheters, a person must talks with a doctor about what suits him/her.
An increased risk of UTIs is a person uses any type of catheter without asking doctors. However, a person can reduce the risk of any type of UTI by practising good personal hygiene and by sterilizing the catheter before use, as well as learning how to use the equipment correctly.
People should talk to any medical professional or practitioner if they experience any pain or discomfort while using the catheter. They can offer advice on how to make living with a catheter more comfortable.
Keep reading for more!
Team MBD
Further reading: Urinary catheters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
