What You Need to Know About Urinary Catheters
What are urinary catheters used for?
Urinary catheters are thin, hollow tubes that are placed into the urethra to collect urine from the bladder. How do they help prevent long-term harm to the kidneys?
Urinary Catheters Overview
Urinary catheters are essential medical devices used to help individuals who are unable to empty their bladder on their own due to various medical conditions such as surgery, enlarged prostates, spina bifida, or urine incontinence. These catheters play a crucial role in preventing kidney failure by ensuring that urine is effectively removed from the body.
Role in Preventing Kidney Harm
When urine is not emptied properly from the bladder, it can lead to a harmful buildup in the kidneys, which can ultimately result in kidney failure. Urinary catheters help in preventing this long-term harm by facilitating the regular and efficient removal of urine from the body.
Urinary catheters are medical devices designed to assist individuals who are unable to empty their bladder independently due to various medical conditions. These thin, hollow tubes are inserted into the urethra to collect urine from the bladder, ensuring that the waste is expelled from the body effectively.
For individuals who are experiencing difficulties in fully emptying their bladder, such as those with enlarged prostates or spinal cord injuries, urinary catheters provide a vital solution. By allowing for the continuous drainage of urine, these devices help prevent the accumulation of urine in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure over time.
The size of the urinary catheter used is determined based on the individual's specific needs and medical condition. The French size of the catheter, which refers to the diameter of the tube, plays a crucial role in selecting the appropriate size for the patient. Typically, the larger the French size, the bigger the diameter of the catheter.
Overall, urinary catheters are essential tools in managing bladder retention issues and ensuring that the body can effectively eliminate waste. By understanding their role in preventing kidney harm and facilitating urine drainage, healthcare providers can better care for patients requiring urinary catheterization.