What is a urinary catheter? It is a hollow, partially flexible tube responsible for urine collection from the bladder and transferring it to the drainage bag. You can find urinary catheters in a variety of sizes. Further, different kinds of catheters are available in the market. Typically, urinary catheters may be made of silicone, plastic, PVC, or rubber. The guide below will discuss some vital aspects of the urinary catheter that you must know.

Uses of urinary catheter
The doctor recommends a urinary catheter when a person finds it challenging to urinate normally. You may need a urinary catheter in the following circumstances:

• There is a blockage in the urethra, a tube that transports the urine out from the bladder
• Bladder weakness
• Damage to the nerves in the bladder
• Urethra injury
• Enlarged prostate in men
• A congenital disorder that affects the urinary tract
• Bladder stones
• Ureter stones
• Kidney stones
• Tumors in the reproductive organ
• Urinary tract tumor

In addition, a physician may also use a urinary catheter for the following:

• Accurate assessment of the urine output in critically ill people
• During childbirth, after epidural anesthetic for draining the woman’s bladder
• For bladder drainage before, during, or after the person has had a surgery
• To treat a person with urinary incontinence when other treatments fail
• To directly deliver the requisite treatment drug into the person’s bladder

Types of urinary catheters
Typically, there are three kinds of urinary catheters, including the following:

• Indwelling or Foley Catheters
  The catheters that stay in the bladder are indwelling. But, as the catheter is inside the bladder, it is quintessential to ensure that it does not slide out. Hence, there is a balloon on one end inflated with water. It keeps the tube in place. If the patient no longer needs the catheter, the medical expert will remove the water from the balloon and deflate it to pull out the tube.

Indwelling catheter insertion can happen in the two following ways:

1. Via a small hole in the abdomen (Indwelling Suprapubic Catheters)
2. Via urethra (Indwelling Urethral Catheters)

• Intermittent Urinary Catheters
  These are short-term catheters and do not have to stay in the bladder. Hence, there is no balloon on one end. All you have to do is insert the catheter and drain it multiple times across the day.

• External Catheters
  Also known as condom catheters, external catheters are for men with urinary incontinence. They do not have a tube going into the bladder. Men wear a condom-like device with a tube going to the tip.

Complications that may arise with the use
Since you are inserting a foreign object into the body, it can cause some side effects and complications. A few of them include the following:

• Bladder spasms
  As the catheter constantly bothers the bladder, it can result in pain or spasm in the rectum or above the pubic hair. It can also cause urine leakage.

• Latex sensitivity
  Some people are allergic to latex. So, the catheter may cause swelling and irritation of the urethra and the other parts that come in contact with the balloon and the latex catheter.

• Hematuria
  Hematuria, the presence of blood in urine, is another prevalent urinary catheter-related complication. People who underwent prostate cancer surgery may see blood clots in their urine. At times, the urine turns pink. Speak to a doctor immediately, as the blood clots may block the catheter.

• Infection
  It is one of the most prevalent urinary catheter-related complications. It can make the germs enter the body, causing infection of the kidneys, urinary tracts, urethra, or bladder. It can result in the following:

1. Sudden confusion
2. Fever or chills
3. Pain in the groin or belly

• Leaks
  Blockage in catheters by debris or blood clots can result in leaks.

• Bladder cancer
  Long-term Indwelling Catheter usage can put you at the risk of developing bladder cancer. Infection and irritation trigger the development of carcinogenic cells in the bladder, which may become cancerous over time.

Bladder stones
If the catheter fails to drain all the urine, the leftover urine crystalizes and develops stones.

Urethral injury
Repeated or incorrect catheter insertion can cause scarring or injury in the urethra.

Risk factors of using urinary catheters
Unfortunately, some side effects of a urinary catheter are inevitable. However, there are potential ways and means to lower the risk. Take some hygiene and dietary measures to avoid blockages in the drainage system.

Here are the following risk factors that you must discuss with your doctor:

• Fiber deficiency in the diet
  Eating fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, grains, and vegetables, can regularize your bowel movements and prevent constipation-related leakage in the catheter.

• Insufficient fluid intake
  It results in dehydration, followed by urinary tract infection.

• Problems keeping the equipment and the skin clean
  If you fail to keep your skin and equipment clean, you can request assistance from a caregiver.

• Catheter disorganization
  Any urine bag displacement bends or twists in the catheter can cause leaks and blockages.

Urinary catheters can help in a variety of medical conditions. Your health professional will decide the catheter version best suited for you. While they can prove invaluable, they do come with some complications. So, if you feel any discomfort or see signs of an issue, please consult your doctor immediately.