How urine catheter works?

Urine catheters, also known as Foley catheters, are a medical device used to drain urine from the bladder when it cannot empty on its own. While they may look like a tiny garden hose, don’t let their size fool you – these little devices pack quite the punch. In this article, we’ll explore exactly how urine catheters work and why they’re so important.

Anatomy 101

Before delving into how urine catheters work, it’s essential to understand some basic anatomy first. This will help make sense of later topics.

The urinary tract system is responsible for producing and expelling urine out of the body. It consists of two kidneys that filter blood and produce waste products; two ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder; one bladder that stores up to two cups of liquid; and one urethra that carries urine from the bladder outside of your body.

Both men and women have a urethra – but women tend to have shorter ones than men which explains why women experience frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

What is a Urine Catheter?

A Urinary Catheter or Foley’s Catheter is an inflatable tube inserted into your bladder through your urethra or suprapubic area using sterile techniques under anesthesia {to avoid discomfort during insertion}. The foley’s balloon keeps it in place until fully drained after which it can be deflated so it can be removed easily.

There are different kinds available with features specific for certain cases:

  • Straight Single Lumen Male & Female Urethal Catheter
  • Coudé tip Single Lumen Male & Female Uretheral.
  • Polished Eye
  • Large Bore or Triple lumen:
    -Purpose Of Dilation
    -Irrigation And Drainage Of Adequate Amounts Eg 18 Fr

Each has its own unique features that cater to specific need in patients.

How Do Urine Catheters Work?

The urinary catheter works by providing a conduit for urine to flow out of the bladder and into a collection bag, thereby bypassing the urethra. The device consists of three parts:

  1. A flexible tube that is inserted through the urethra or suprapubic area.
  2. An inflatable balloon near its tip which holds it securely in place once it has been fully inserted.
  3. A drainage bag attached at the other end of the tubing.

Once the catheter is properly placed inside you, the balloon will be inflated with sterile water so they stay in place – this can look and feel weird we know but here’s how it happens:

  • After making sure your hands are clean
  • Putting on gloves
  • Cleaning genitals with Betadine {which act like antiseptics}
  • Lubricating straight single lumen {not all type uses lubricant} before insertion.
    )
    it’s necessary to inflate via port after full insertion to make it stay put otherwise removal may lead to injury or trauma.

The pressure exerted onto your bladder forms voids that last between 30 minutes and an hour; below indicates their routine:

Kidney → Ureter → Bladder  excretion

Before deciding if you should have one used upon you,patients’ health history get evaluated beforehand — having sexually transmitted infections (STI)like Syphilis increases chances of inflammation as well as compromising others systems/organs such as kidneys.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)potentially sets in while under obligation due sexual activity,having colonized bacteria within; Early symptoms include cramp-like pain during usage/frequency.Therefore sterilization procedures must be followed strictly!

If left untreated people could experience recurrent UTIs,making them prone kidney disease – this is why timely diagnosis and treatment are imperative.

Types of Urine Catheters

There are two primary types of urinary catheters:

  1. Intermittent Catheter
  2. Indwelling Foley Catheter.

1. Intermittent Catheter

An intermittent catheter, also known as a straight catheter, is designed to be removed after one especially if you have obstructed urine flow – this has no inflation bulb/tube which means it can’t get displaced inside .

2. Indwelling Foley Catheter

An indwelling Foley catheter is used when the patient needs access for an extended period {more than one day}. The balloon located on this device keeps it secure enough so patients don’t have to worry about accidental dislodging during body movement or repositioning in bed {no one wants that!}.

The length and size based on personal specification,determined by
physician-in-chief after physical examination; sizes range from twelve French (Fr)to thirty Fr centimeters long depending any peculiarities present in patient’s individual anatomy This leads us to discussing next subheading:

Insertion Procedure Guidelines

Inserting a urinary foley’s will logically require some assistance during insertion procedure because it involves passing through your urethra – let’s tell you what happens before giving leading role!

  • Your physician should clean your genitals with antiseptic solutions.
  • Avoid using too much lubrication while unwrapping:
    •Introducer needle
    •Urine container
    •Syringe
  • Once everything unrolled needed items collected,
  • Verify its sterility,visibility etc then splash lubricant onto tip without contamination of other areas.

Meanwhile…

A very slippery introduction tube attached(fully sterile as well ) made easily glide into penis till fully inserted.If going through suprapubic region, has less resistance;

The balloon is then inflated via its port under testing but best avoid exceeding more than 5ml of sterile water before it gets clamped; else, balloons could rupture and cause abrasions inside your bladder leading to infections!

Once deflated after use {end of procedure}, gently pull to ease out – this should be done slowly so as not to further hurt you.

Potential Complications

Although catheters themselves are considered low risk/ highly successful medical intervention,{we still proceed cautiously anyway!} complications can arise – here’s what we mean:

  • Infection:
    This is a common occurrence for patients with an indwelling Foley’s due reduced defence system battling against bacteria from intestine tract; Symptoms include fever/foul smelling/suddenly dark urine. Making proactive measures like anti-biotics help reduce this infection rate.

  • Bladder Damage:
    If improperly inserted,removed or replaced at the wrong time,balloon inflation causing injury in internal urethra section which presents temporarily irritable symptoms making removal imminent both low-high quadrant methodically. {your physician will understand clearly}

  • Trauma:
    Discomfort may signify spermatic cord trauma especially if patient has enlarged prostate gland; bleeding/ Hydronephrosis likely follow right after depending the severity — makes relief inevitable through rule-out diagnosis tests.

Conclusion

So there you have it! A thorough explanation on how urine catheters work. While they’re not exactly pleasant accessories, they serve their purpose as vital medical devices that help people who cannot empty their bladders naturally. Whether you need one short term or longterm , now that you know everything about them hopefully we’ve made your next experience less daunting..

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