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A. Your doctor has advised that you require a catheter inserted into your bladder to drain urine from it. A catheter is a small, flexible tube that is inserted through the water pipe (urethra) into the bladder to drain urine into a bag which is usually strapped to your leg.
When the bag becomes full of urine, it will need to be emptied by opening the tap at the bottom of the bag either over the lavatory or into a suitable receptacle.
The common type of catheter contains latex. If you have any history of latex allergy, please ensure that the urology staff are informed of this before a catheter is inserted.
In patients with latex allergy, an all silicone catheter will be used because it carries no risk of an allergic reaction.
The catheter will feel strange at first and you will certainly feel conscious of it, constantly feeling that you want to pass urine. This sensation, however, is quite normal and will soon pass.
A. The catheter must be treated as a part of your own body and will need to be kept clean in the same way. It can be washed each day with warm, soapy water, either in the bath or in the shower, at the same time as you wash yourself. You are advised to wash the catheter away from the urethra so as not to encourage germs to enter the body and cause infection.
Whilst you are using the catheter, you will need to drink plenty of fluids in order to prevent urinary infections and constipation. You should also take care not to kink the catheter or to raise the drainage bag above the level of your bladder.
A. Some problems may occur when you have a catheter but your urologist can advise you on what action to take.
Bladder spasms: Bladder spasms feel like abdominal cramp and are quite common when you have a catheter in your bladder. The pain is caused by the bladder trying to squeeze out the balloon. If you are unable to tolerate this sensation, your urologist can prescribe a drug such as Mirabegron or Solifenacin which stops the cramps.
Leakage around the catheter: This is called by-passing. It is sometimes the result of bladder spasms or can take place when you open your bowels. If it does happen, please check that your urine is still draining. If it is not, you need to contact your urologist as soon as possible.
Blood or debris in the urine: This is common with a catheter. It is only of concern if you see large clots or solid pieces of debris passing down the catheter. If this happens, please contact your urologist for advice as this may cause a blockage.
Blockage: This will become an emergency situation if not dealt with in a timely fashion. Check that the drainage bag is below the level of your bladder, that the catheter has no kinks or twists in it, that there are no clots or debris in the catheter and that you are drinking enough. If the catheter will not unblock, contact your urologist immediately.
Catheter falling out: If your catheter falls out, contact your urologist immediately.
Urine infection: Infection is invariably found in the urine after catheterisation so a positive urine culture for bacteria is very common once a catheter has been in for more than 10 to 14 days; it does not necessarily mean that you need to take antibiotics.
If you have cloudy urine, cystitis (a burning sensation), unpleasant smelling urine or a high temperature, contact your urologist immediately to determine whether you should have antibiotic treatment.