The vast development in the medical sector has provided us with numerous treatments that we could all once dream of. It ensures that we can now cure most of the health conditions through different treatments. Catheters are also a part of the creations that make life easier.

What are Catheters?

Catheters are a hollow and partly flexible tube that gathers urine from the bladder, and then it is taken and inside a drainage bag from where it can be removed. Urinary Catheters come in different types and sizes. It can be made of either

• Silicone
• Plastic
• Rubber

Catheters are usually vital for someone unable to empty their bladder. If the bladder does not empty, it could lead to urine building up and increase the pressure inside the kidneys. The built-up pressure could then prove to be a cause of kidney failure or also end up causing permanent kidney damage.

Most of the catheters are a necessity until you have regained the capability to urinate on your own, which could only, takes you a short period. Catheters are particularly common and popular for long use in aged people, those suffering from a severe illness that limits their ability to perform daily activities, and someone with a disability could also use them.

It’s also necessary that you get a good-quality catheter bag because a low-grade one could result in spills and leaks.  The catheter suppliers in Australia provide a wide range of products for everyone and the best part is that all of them are high-quality and durable.

Why are the uses of urinary catheters?

It is best to consult a doctor before using a urinary catheter. A doctor might recommend a patient a catheter if one of the following reasons arises:-

• The patient is unable to control when he urinates
• It has urinary incontinence
• If the patient has urinary retention

The next question that might arise in your mind is why you might not be able to urinate and end up finding yourself in such a situation. Some of the reasons include:

• Surgery performed on your prostate gland could force you into using a catheter
• A blocked urine flow because of the bladder or various other medical conditions including blood clots in the urine, kidney stone, or an enlargement of the prostate gland
• Surgery in the genital area which could include hip fracture repair or a hysterectomy could also end up in the patient using a catheter
• Spinal cord injuries and Spina bifida
• A medical conditions that impair the patient’s mental functions thus limiting his physical activity such as dementia
• Certain medications impair the bladder’s ability to squeeze thus the urine is stuck inside the bladder

Types of Catheters

There are three main types of catheters. It includes:-

Intermittent catheters

Intermittent Catheters a.k.a “In/Out Catheter” and the doctors insert it inside the bladder for a short duration which allows it to empty and then they are removed. It is the most commonly used type that we often see in daily life.

Indwelling catheters

Indwelling catheters or something called the foley catheters is designed for continuous and longer use. The doctors opt for this option if the patient has a permanent disability or a mental condition for no fixed duration