Urinary Catheters

What is a Catheter?

A urinary catheter is a hollow, flexible tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder that drains urine into an external urinary leg bag .Once the urine catheter has been inserted, a small balloon on the internal end is inflated with sterile water to keep it in situ. The balloon is deflated when the catheter needs to be removed. Generally, patients who are unable to urinate on their own or are immobile use catheters. Catheters are essential in avoiding a build-up of urine. Recording and maintaining accurate fluid balance documentation is important to ensure the patient maintains adequate renal perfusion, minimizing the risk of acute kidney injury.

Who needs a Urology Catheter?

A person with any or all of the below mentioned urinary health problems may require a urinary catheter.

• Urinary incontinence 
• Urinary retention 
• Surgery 
• Any other health issue which impaired your mobility 
• Blocked urine flow due to bladder and kidney stones 
• Surgery on the prostate or genitals 
• Dementia 
• Bladder weakness or damage 
• Congenital defects in the urinary tract

Types of Urinary Catheter

There are many sizes; materials (latex, silicone, PVC, or Teflon); and types of catheters . Individuals may need urine catheters for short-term or long-term use. Most individuals will only need the urinary catheter temporarily until the condition affecting their bladder resolves. However, some instances require long-term catheter use. Your healthcare professional will help you choose the right catheter for you. Mainly, there are three main types of catheters:

• Intermittent catheter : It is inserted via the urethra into the bladder to empty it, then removed several times a day. When the bladder is completely emptied, one needs to remove the catheter and wash it properly for the next use. The patient can himself insert the catheter. It is generally recommended to the patient after a surgical procedure, and it is for a short duration. It is normally pre-lubricated to reduce the risk of any discomfort while inserting. 
• Indwelling catheter: An indwelling catheter resides in the bladder and is also known as a Foley catheter. This Foley catheter can be useful for short and long periods. These catheters are inserted by the health care professionals and left inside the body for as long as needed. Sometimes, these catheters are inserted into the bladder through a tiny hole in the abdomen. This is known as suprapubic catheter  . This procedure is done under aesthesia. 
• External/condom catheter: External Condom Catheters are placed outside of the body. It looks like a typical condom with a tube that is connected to a urinary drainage bag . The catheter is slipped onto the penis and secured using medical adhesive. Urine from the bladder flows out through the urethra, through the sheath, and into the attached urinary bag. These are exclusively designed for men. They are easy to wear and remove without any assistance from the caregiver. They carry a lower risk of infection as they are placed externally. They ensure comfort after use and cause very little or no skin irritation.

What to consider while buying a Urology Catheter?

Let us help you choose the right catheter for yourself. The most important things to consider are -

• One size does not fit all: The catheter must fit your needs, so there is no specific urine catheter to meet everybody's needs. If your urinary catheter is too small, it will not empty your bladder, and handling might become troublesome if it is too long. Hence, choosing the right size is important. 
• Quality Matters: A good quality catheter will ensure safety and functionality. A hydrophilic catheter  will keep your urethra safe from infection as much as possible. These types of urinary catheters are rapidly gaining momentum amongst masses because it uses water as a lubricant. People who have sensitive skin usually go for it instead of buying catheter lubricants separately. These catheters are easy to handle and do not create any mess while using. Some quality catheters come with a handle for a tight grip and a no-touch feature. It protects you from coming in contact with infections as there are many harmful bacteria in your urinary system that can potentially cause Urinary Tract Infections. 
• Optimal Efficient: A urinary catheter must be efficient enough to serve you the purpose-retention or drainage of urine. Make sure the tube length and width are adequate to allow the catheter to work properly for a longer duration. 
• Privacy and Maintenance: A catheter is an extremely personal hygiene product that demands extreme secrecy. The perfect Foley catheter must be of such size and shape that it is easy to carry it around without much trouble. Additionally, it should be easily manageable and require little effort to clean and store. 
• Comfort and Reliability: Needlessly, your urine catheter must provide you with utmost comfort at all times and must be reliable enough for you to live your life in a normal course. It should aid you in managing your urinary concerns well without hampering the quality of your life.

Where can I buy Urinary Catheters online?

Buy perfect sized catheters at Shopcatheters.com and get amazing deals. We have urinary catheters and other catheter supplies like drainage bags of various sizes and shapes for you to choose from. These Urological supplies are manufactured by top brands like Teleflex Incorporated  , Hollister Incorporated , Coloplast  and many more. Now buy Bard Urinary Catheters at best prices only on Shop Catheters.

Articles on Foley Urine Catheters

• Choosing the right sized catheters
• Water loving catheters- Hydrophilic catheters
• All you need to know about catheters tips