Essential things you need to know about urinary catheters

A urinary catheter is a hollow tube that is partially flexible and is used for collecting urine from the bladder and directing it towards an attached drainage bag. They are available in different shapes and sizes. Urinary catheters are required for patients who are unable to empty their bladder due to some medical conditions. If the bladder isn’t emptied, then urine can accumulate in the kidneys.

Keep reading to know more about a urinary catheter, its uses, types, and more.

What can cause urinary complications?
The following medical conditions can affect one’s urinary functions:

• Prostate gland surgery
• Surgery in the genital area such as hysterectomy or hip fracture
• Blocked urine flow which can be a result of kidney or bladder stones, blood clots in the urine, or enlargement of the prostate gland
• Injuries to the spinal cord or bladder nerves
• Spina bifida or neural tube defect (developmental defect in babies)
• Dementia, a mental condition that can impair one’s cognitive functions
• Certain types of medications, especially that can affect the bladder muscles’ functions which can restrict the urine movement

When do doctors prescribe urinary catheters?
Urinary catheters are recommended commonly by doctors when

• One is suffering from urinary incontinence, i.e., losing control over the bladder
• One is dealing with urinary retention

It is also used during childbirth to empty the bladder if the woman is given an epidural anesthetic. Likewise, urinary catheters are used for bladder cancer patients for administering chemotherapy medications directly into the bladder.

What are the different types of urinary catheters?
There are three primary forms of urinary catheters, i.e., external, indwelling, and short-term catheters.

• External catheters
  Also known as condom catheters, these catheters for men are fixed outside of the body. External catheters are used for men who are suffering from severe mental or functional disabilities like dementia. This type of catheter covers the penis head leading to a drainage bag. As compared to the other catheters, these are more comfortable and exhibit a lower infection risk. Typically, these need to be changed every day; however, some makers have created products that are fit for prolonged use.
• Indwelling catheters
  This type of catheter is placed inside the bladder and is also referred to as a urethral catheter. An indwelling catheter can be used for both, short and long periods. It can be implanted into the bladder via the urethra. Such tubes are known as suprapubic catheters when they are inserted through a small opening created in the lower abdomen. At the end of the catheter, a small balloon is inflated with water to stop the tube from moving out of the body. These type of bladder catheters require extra care as the possibility of causing an infection is higher.
• Intermittent catheters
  The intermittent, or short-term, catheters are used when the patient requires help with urinating for a short span a time, which is usually after a surgery. After the bladder is emptied, it is mandatory to remove the catheter. Like an indwelling tube, it can be inserted through the urethra or the lower abdominal hole created for catheterization. Intermittent catheters can be used by patients or caregivers in a domestic setting too.

What are catheters made of?
Every manufacturer uses a different material to make catheters, but the most common materials used are:

• Plastic (PVC)
• Silicone
• Rubber

Which are the best catheter brands?
The following are some popular urinary catheter brands:

• Bard
• Covidien
• Coloplast
• Hollister
• Medline
• MTG
• LoFric
• Cure Medical
• Urocare

Urinary catheters can cost anywhere from around $4 to $500, depending on its type, size, material, and brand.

Tags – urinary catheter, bladder catheter, catheters for men