Inserting anything into your body for medical reasons is not the best experience one can imagine. The process of inserting a catheter is not an exception. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the most convenient way to ensure treatment effectiveness. Even though you as a patient can’t prevent it — you sure can learn more about the method as well as about where to buy medical supplies in Canada and see for yourself that it’s actually not that bad.
What is a Catheter
As we all know, a catheter is a tubular device that is inserted into the urethra (and bladder) of the patient and used to drain the urine. That’s how it’s named — a “catheter.” The word is derived from Latin, which translates as “cat,” implying that it looks almost exactly like a cat’s tail.
In effect, the catheter is used as a long tube with a closed end through which urine can be obtained from the bladder.
When is a Catheter Necessary?
It is extremely important to discuss with your doctor whether a catheter is really necessary. This can save you from undue stress and discomfort. According to Health Canada, a catheter may be used in a number of different situations, including the following:
- In case of urinary retention (inability to empty the bladder entirely);
- In case of urinary incontinence (inability to prevent urine leakage) during sleep;
- If you are not able to go to the toilet on your own or in time;
- If you have an incomplete spinal cord injury and your bladder is able to fill to a large degree;
- If you have impaired bladder contractility (the ability of the bladder to expand) due to paralysis, anesthesia, or other reasons;
- If you experience ED;
- For treating stones or infections in the urinary tract, especially if they reach the kidney.
Are There Any Alternatives?
A self-catheterization kit and a compression stocking can sometimes help. It is a device that includes tape and a plastic hose, which is used by a person. Catheters are also sometimes left in place for longer periods of time without the risk of negative side effects. For instance, it can be used during the night while you are sleeping or at any other time of the day during wakefulness. Of course, you must make sure that your doctor approves that.
How it’s Inserted
A catheter is usually inserted in one of 3 ways:
- Percutaneously via an incision;
- As retrograde infusion;
- As an inflatable cuff.
As you can see, the first method is the most “classic” one — used in hospitals and clinics worldwide.
This type of catheter may be either a large-bore or a small-bore catheter, depending on its use. A large-bore catheter is often used for patients who need to empty their bladder completely.
Small-bore catheters are mostly used for patients with will or spinal cord injuries or any other condition that prevents them from emptying their bladders normally.
Catheters in the first category are most often inserted under general anesthesia. In this case, a patient is put to sleep, and for a few minutes, the procedure is performed on him/her. Then, the patient wakes up and receives medication.
A percutaneous catheter typically needs an incision at the point of insertion, which is usually 2-3 inches long. The second category of catheters is also used under general anesthesia. In this case, a patient enters the hospital with a catheter already inserted into his/her urinary tract through an external incision that is about one-quarter inch long. When the catheter is positioned correctly, it is connected to an external apparatus that drains urine. This type of catheter has a shorter lifespan than the percutaneous kind because it needs to be taken out after 7-10 days.
The third category is used in patients who are able to empty their bladders under their own control. In this case, a catheter with an inflatable cuff will be inserted directly into the bladder through the urethra. The cuff is inflated once the patient stops urinating and keeps its set pressure until the patient starts urinating. The inflatable catheter may be inserted either by itself or in conjunction with another catheter.
The advantage of this type of catheter is that it requires less anesthesia and has a long lifespan, which can be up to 12 months. When it’s time for replacement, the old one is replaced by a new one that has an identical appearance to the original one.
Final Word
If you have been prescribed a catheter by your doctor and you are unsure whether you will be able to go through with it or not — know that millions of people around the world use them every day with no or little discomfort. It is perfectly possible to live a normal life while wearing one. It may be even easier than you think — especially if your healthcare provider explains the process to you, takes care of all the preparations, or offers some alternatives to catheterization.
