A catheter is a hollow tube that is inserted into your bladder to drain urine when you can’t do it on your own. Having to use a catheter can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. Using a catheter can restrict your daily activities and keeps you from going out there and carpe diem-ing the day.
However, these are not even the biggest complications of using a catheter. The biggest risk of using urinary catheter is that it can allow bacteria to enter your body and cause infections in bladder, urethra and kidneys. These type of infections are called Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI). It is estimated that over 13,000 deaths a year globally are associated with CAUTI.
“Those were the worst days of my life. After surgery, I was on complete bedrest. Couldn’t even move to use the toilet. I learnt that catheters are…painful to use. I got infections several times. I wish I knew Friends Adult Diapers existed then,” says Smruti from Patna. “My mom who is a diabetic patient suffers from urine leakage. She wears Friends Adult Diapers and is very comfortable now.”
Guidelines to Prevent Getting Catheter Infections While you have your Catheter in Place
Prevention of catheter associated UTI is actually really simple. To take care of your catheter and your health, just follow these guidelines:
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Keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder.
Always keep the drainage bag below the level of your bladder, that is, below your waist. This prevents the urine from the drainage bag from flowing back into your bladder, which could cause UTIs.
When you are getting ready to sleep, hang the drainage bag next to the bed. You can sleep in any position as long as the drainage bag is below your bladder level.
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Keep your drainage bag off the floor at all times
Keeping your drainage bag off the floor will prevent twists or bends in the catheter. It must always be hanged from a support to ensure that there is no obstruction in the catheter.
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Shower daily to keep the catheter clean
You can still shower when you have catheter inserted.
Wash your hands every time you touch your urine. Also wash the area where the catheter enters your body and the visible part of the catheter with soap and water every day.
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Wash your hands before and after touching the catheter or bag
Preventing UTI with catheter starts with good hand hygiene. Washing your hand before and after handling your catheter is a must! We can’t stress this enough. Washing hands before dealing with catheter helps prevent any bacteria from entering your body. Since we are dealing with bodily fluids, you must also wash your hands after dealing with catheter.
If you are reusing catheters, make sure to properly clean the catheter and disinfect it before and after use.
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Keep the catheter secured to your thigh to keep it from moving
Catheters come with a drainage bag to collect the urine until you can empty it into a toilet. Position the drainage bag against your inner thigh or outer thigh and secure it in place with a surgical tape or strap.
By now, you must have learned that catheter associated UTI prevention isn’t that hard, it just comes with the package. With good hand hygiene, there isn’t much to fear about UTIs. But, if you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:
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Milky or cloudy, foul smelling urine
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Blood in the urine
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Fever and chills
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Pain or burning in your urethra (the area where the catheter leaves the body), bladder, lower back and abdominal (stomach) pain.
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Swelling and redness of your urethra
Conclusion of Urinary Catheter Infection Prevention
If possible, avoid using catheters altogether and switch to adult diapers. You can rest easy from fear of infection and pain and there won’t be any catheter to interrupt your day.
Friends Adult Diapers can help you lead a healthier life. We have been making adult diapers for more than two decades now. We understand exactly what you need: diapers that are super-absorbent, don't give you infections, rashes or irritated skin and fit you well. Our diapers:
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Are anti-bacterial.
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Provide superior absorption for up to 16 hours depending on the variant.
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Fit your body snugly to prevent leaks or spills.
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Are treated with aloe vera and jojoba extracts to keep your skin supple and soft.
With Friends Adult Diapers, Azadi Mubarak!