Posts Tagged ‘catheter’

Using a Urinary Catheter

Comments: OffAugust 20th, 2010 by

Urination is the body’s way of getting rid of toxins that could be dangerous to your system. You may be familiar with urinary tract infections or kidney infections. These are usually caused by some sort of blockage of the dispelling of urine or entrance of bad bacteria into the urethra. One cause of these infections can be the long-term use of a urinary catheter.

A catheter is a long, rubber or soft plastic tube inserted into the bladder by way of the urethra to collect urine. These have become a very common thing for patients to care for by themselves. Supplies for urinary catheters can even be found widely on the Internet. In fact, buying your supplies on the Internet can cut down on potential embarrassment you may feel when purchasing catheter supplies.

Urinary catheters may need to be used for long amounts of time after surgery or injury. It is very important to keep up with the supplies you are going to need in order to ensure that you change the catheter as often as you need in order to fend off infection of any kind.

If you experience a procedure that leaves you in need of a catheter when you leave the hospital, a doctor or nurse will inform you on the proper care and usage of catheter supplies. They may also provide you with some supplies that will last until you are able to buy some. The nurse or doctor will show you how to insert and remove your catheter and how to keep the area clean.

Once you do buy your own supplies, you will need to pay close attention to the company’s own instructions for usage and care. These guidelines are there to keep you healthy and free from infection.

There are a few steps to take to make sure you stay away from infection for as long as possible. First, you must wash your hands with soap and water before touching the catheter or insertion area. Wash the insertion area with mild soap and water at least twice daily in order to keep that area free from irritation and infection as well. Change your collection bag regularly and wash and disinfection each one after use, then allow it dry thoroughly. Following these steps, as well as any steps or tips given to you by your supply company, nurse, or doctor, can keep you infection free for as long as possible.

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Dealing with Paruresis

Comments: OffAugust 11th, 2010 by

Paruresis is a phobia that makes it hard or nearly impossible for someone to voluntarily urinate when there are other people around. This can not only cause problems when people are trying to complete a drug test for school or a job, but it can also cause problems when people are out in public for long periods of time. While most people can cure themselves of paruresis with professional treatment and possibly even medication, some people with a milder form of the condition simply deal with it on their own.

One of the main ways to deal with paruresis is to use a catheter for emergency situations. You can learn how to use a catheter for intermittent self-catheterization from a doctor or a nurse, but not all doctors will teach you to use a catheter. To learn how, call around to different doctors’ offices in your area to learn from the reception nurses who is most likely to teach you to use a catheter.

Once you know how to use a catheter, you shouldn’t use it all the time. Instead, start training yourself to urinate in public situations so that you can eventually overcome your phobia. You can simply keep the catheter on you – a disposable catheter and a small bottle of the necessary lubricant to go with it take up very little room – to use when you need it most.

Many paruretics find that they don’t need a catheter most of the time after a while. Simply having one can take away some of the anxiety that comes with trying to urinate around other people, so you can sometimes use a catheter as a tool to overcome paruresis without even actually practicing intermittent self-catheterization. You may also want to consider adding therapy or group support to your treatment for overcoming paruresis.

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Managing Urinary Catheter Collection Bags

Comments: OffAugust 11th, 2010 by

Urinary catheters are used to drain urine from the bladder when a person cannot urinate naturally on his or her own. If you have certain medical conditions or you’ve just undergone surgery, you may need to use a urinary catheter long or short term. Urine collection bags are used to collect and hold urine that drains through the catheter.

Draining a urine collection bag needs to be done on a regular basis. Bags should be drained whenever they are half-full, and also before going to bed. You’ll likely need to drain your collection bag at least every 7 or 8 hours, but you may need to do so more frequently. With some practice, most people become very efficient at draining urine collection bags.

It’s important to wash you hands thoroughly with soap and water before draining your own collection bag as well as after finishing the task. Some people prefer to wear gloves when emptying drainage bags. If someone else is helping you drain your urine collection bag, that person should wear sterile, disposable gloves. This can help prevent catheter related urinary tract infections from developing.

There are two types of urine collection bags or devices you may use at home. A leg drainage bag is a small bag that attaches to the leg with elastic bands. These discreet bags are easy to empty directly into the toilet. They are often worn during the day.

Some patients need to use a larger urine drainage device during the night. A down drain is placed on the floor near the bed or may be hung to the side of the bed during sleep.

Regardless of which type of urine collection bag you are using, it is important that the bag stays at a height below the bladder. This will prevent urine from flowing back into the bladder.

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