A urinary catheter is a flexible tube
used to empty the bladder and collect urine in a drainage bag
. Urinary catheters are usually inserted by a doctor or nurse.
What is the primary purpose of urinary catheterization?
Urinary catheters are used
to drain the bladder
. Your health care provider may recommend that you use a catheter if you have: Urinary incontinence (leaking urine or being unable to control when you urinate) Urinary retention (being unable to empty your bladder when you need to)
Why would you need a catheter?
A urinary catheter tube drains urine from your bladder. You may need a catheter because you have
urinary incontinence (leakage)
, urinary retention (not being able to urinate), prostate problems, or surgery that made it necessary.
How long does a catheter stay in?
Catheters usually stay in place
between 2 and 12 weeks
. Manufacturers guarantee that a catheter is safe to use for a number of weeks.
How do you pee with a catheter?
- Gently insert the catheter into the urethra opening on the penis. Move the catheter in until urine begins to flow out. Then insert it about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) more.
- Let the urine drain into the container or the toilet.
Are you awake when putting a catheter in?
You will be awake during the procedure
, but you may not be able to remember much about it. The doctor will inject some medicine to numb the skin where the catheter will be put in. You will feel a small needle stick, like having a blood test. You may feel some pressure when the doctor puts in the catheter.
Are you awake when putting a urinary catheter in?
This procedure can be carried out under general anaesthetic (where you are given medication that puts you to sleep so you do not feel any discomfort), or local anaesthetic (where an injection is given to numb the skin and bladder wall so a catheter can be inserted while you are
awake
).
What are the risks of urinary catheterization?
The main risk of using a urinary catheter is that
it can sometimes allow bacteria to enter your body
. This can cause an infection in the urethra, bladder or, less commonly, in the kidneys. These types of infection are known as urinary tract infections (UTIs).
What is the most common complication of urinary bladder catheterization?
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections
CAUTIs
are considered complicated UTIs and are the most common complication associated with long-term catheter use. CAUTIs may occur at least twice a year in patients with long-term indwelling catheters, requiring hospitalization.
Can a catheter damage your bladder?
Catheters can also sometimes lead to other problems, such as
bladder
spasms (similar to stomach cramps), leakages, blockages, and damage to the urethra. Read more about the risks of urinary catheterisation.
Can you get erect with a catheter?
It is possible to have sex with a urethral catheter in place
. A man can leave a large loop of catheter at the end of the penis, so that when he gets an erection, there’s a length of catheter to accommodate the penis. The catheter can be held in place using a condom or surgical tape.
Can you feel yourself pee with a catheter?
While you’re wearing a catheter,
you may feel as if your bladder is full and you need to urinate
. You also may feel some discomfort when you turn over if your catheter tube gets pulled. These are normal problems that usually don’t require attention.
How often should you flush a catheter?
Institutional protocols commonly recommend flushing catheters
every 8 hours
.
How do you sleep comfortably with a catheter?
Arrange the catheter tubing so that it does not twist or loop. When you are getting into bed,
hang the urine bag beside the bed
. You can sleep in any position as long as the bedside bag is below your bladder. Do not place the urine bag on the floor.
Is it difficult to insert a catheter?
Insertion difficulties
Men may have difficulties inserting the catheter through tense sphincter muscles or
past the prostate
. Tips: Try to relax, take some deep breaths and give a slight cough when you insert the catheter. You can also try to twist the catheter a little bit to get through.
How much water should you drink with a catheter?
People with a long-term indwelling catheter need to drink plenty of fluids to keep the urine flowing. Drinking
2 to 3 litres of fluid per day
(six to eight large glasses of fluid) can help reduce the risks of blockages and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
