Physical/bodily hygiene is one of the most important components of a healthy mind and body. More so for body parts/organs that are sensitive or easily prone to infections. Hygiene that pertains to our urinary organs is particularly important.
Urinary openings or the penis for men and anus for women may let in germs and infections that may lead to diseases. Urinary catheters are devices used to enable people who have urinary or bladder related issues.
Urinary Catheters are very important from a hygiene perspective. They are flexible tubes used to transfer urine directly from the bladder to a drainage bag outside(or in some cases inside) of the body. They are tubes that help people who are suffering from a medical condition that doesn’t allow them to have full control over their urination.
For people who suffer from urinary continence(a disease that makes you lose control over your ability to urinate when needed or even accidental urine loss), it is very important to understand the difference between different catheters that are available for their convenience.
There are catheters available in the market that will comply with your lifestyle. However, before narrowing down to one catheter, it is important to consult a medical professional.
Types of Urinary Catheters:
- Straight tip Catheters: These are urinary catheters that are absolutely straight. However, the material that they are made of is flexible. Therefore, even upon a little pressure, they will bend as per requirement.
They are mainly used for people who have a straight urinary tract or a straight path leading to the bladder(without any obstructions). They come in different lengths to be compatible with the different sizes of men and women urethra. They are also not pre-lubricated.
- Indwelling Catheters: These urinary catheters function entirely inside the body. They come in two types - Urethral and Suprapubic catheters. They are safely placed inside your bladder via the urethra. This type of catheter is used when there is an need for prolonged usage of a catheter. Suprapubic catheter is placed inside the bladder via a hole or insertion.
This catheter entails a water filled balloon to ensure placement of the catheter in the right position inside the bladder. The balloon is deflated once the catheter needs to be removed.
- Coudé Tip Catheters: These urinary catheters are similar to straight up catheters, however, they are not entirely straight. They have a slight bend or angle at the end of the tube to make their way through any obstructions.
Some of these catheters come with a small bulb to enhance navigation further. They are thin, long and very flexible, therefore conducive to smaller openings as well. They come without pre-lubrication, therefore adding a step to your process.
- Intermittent Catheters: This urinary catheter is mainly for a short period of time. The tube of the catheter is connected to a drainage bag that needs to be emptied into the toilet or drained after every use.
Intermittent catheters are safe and easy to use and can be operated by you without the help of a medical professional. Since it is not a prolonged use catheter, that eliminates the risk of infections via catheter. Therefore, allowing you to have a regular lifestyle without any medical obstructions.
- External Catheters: These urinary catheters are used externally, as the name suggests. The two main types of external catheters are: condom catheters for men and female urethral inserts for women. They can easily be placed on the tip of the penis and the urine is safely drained into a drainage bag that can be emptied into the toilet for men.
This is mainly done for men with mental disabilities and other health issues. It is fully external and safe. And let the person be fully mobile and continue with his lifestyle. In case of women, the catheter is safely inserted into the urethra and seals the end of the bladder delicately. The urine drains into the drainage bag via the tube making it a rather safe process.
- Closed System Kits: These catheters are contamination free and are also called ‘touchless’. This urinary catheter can be self used by you, just remove the cap and insert the tubing attached to the urinary bag into the urethra.
The collection bag will collect as much urine from your bladder itself. This type of catheter is used for people who travel and also for those who have limited mobility. Closed System kits do the work themselves. Closed system kits will render you self sufficient, therefore enabling you to be mobile as per your convenience.
It is important to take precautions while using urinary catheters. A very common disease pertaining to urinary tract/pubic area is the urinary tract infection that may affect you if adequate precautions are not taken. Since this is a complex procedure, It is very important to consult a medical professional.
However, if you are adept to the rules and are trained then it is safe for you to use urinary catheters. Urinary incontinence has become a very common lifestyle problem and can cause a restriction on your lifestyle and mobility.
To avoid this, it is important for us to understand all types of urinary catheters and their exact functionality. Be safe and use medically approved devices especially when pertaining to insertions in your body. Stay healthy and happy!
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