Urological Supplies And Accessories To Consider When You Need A Catheter

If you are a man who has recently had a bladder stone, a blood clot in your urine, or prostate surgery, then you may have difficulty urinating. This can lead to incontinence accidents which are extremely embarrassing. If this is an issue you are dealing with now, then you should use a catheter for some time until the problem resolves itself. You may know very little about catheters and how they work. You also may not understand that there are a variety of different products and accessories that make catheter use easy. Keep reading to learn about a few urological supplies you should buy from a site like http://www.medirents.net when getting your catheter.

Irrigation Systems

If you need a catheter, then you will need to go through a procedure called catheterization. During the procedure, a latex or silicone tube is inserted into the urethra and up into the bladder. Depending on your condition, a short-term or a long-term catheter will be used. The tube that makes up the catheter will connect to a small bag. This is where urine collects when the bladder empties.

Since the tube that runs into your bladder stays in place until you no longer need the catheter, you will need to care for the tube properly. This means preventing clogs, the accumulation of debris, and the growth of microorganisms. This can be accomplished with the irrigation or flushing of the catheter tube. To flush the catheter, you will need to purchase an irrigation system. 

Irrigation systems come with a bottle of saline, a large syringe, and disposable sterile needles. To use the system, place a new needle tip on the syringe and remove the protective cover. Fill the syringe with air and then place the tip into the top of the saline bottle. Release the air and then pull the plunger back to fill it with saline. 

Find the connection point where the tube extension meets the catheter tubing. Remove the extension from the catheter and insert the syringe into the end. Push on the plunger to release the saline into the catheter tube. Remove the syringe when you are done while also pinching the end of the catheter tube closed. Open the end of the catheter in the toilet or a small container. The saline, debris, bacteria, and urine will release from the tube.

Reusable Leg Bags

There are two types of catheter bags that can be attached to your catheter tube. These include large bags and leg bags. Large catheter bags have openings that hook onto your bed frame or a nearby table. The bags are best used at night when you cannot keep on eye on the collection container. They hold a great deal of urine, but they cannot be carried on the body. Leg bags can be carried on the body and attach to your thigh.

While you can purchase disposable catheter bags, it is more cost effective to purchase reusable bags, especially for daily use leg bags For long-term use, purchase latex bags that can withstand pressure and stress without leaking. Make sure the bag also has comfortable straps. Latex straps are an option, but fabric ones are often softer than latex varieties.

When choosing the bag, you should also look for features that include odor-control, antimicrobial drainage lines, and fast-draining ports. Also, make sure that the size fits your needs. While you should be draining your urine collection bag several times a day, a larger bag is a good choice if you consume a great deal of water. While this is true, if you have a smaller frame with thinner legs, then a bag that holds a smaller amount of urine will be more discreet.