According to a 2017 industry report, at least one third of men and women between the ages of 30 and 70 struggle with bladder control, affecting 200 million people worldwide. Intermittent catheters are a great solution to help individuals struggling with urinary problems. You simply insert the catheter into the urethra, guide the tube into the bladder, and remove once you have emptied your bladder.
1. It’s fairly easy.
While self-catheterization is initially intimidating, the process of intermittent catheterization is simple with the right amount of practice. Many people self-catheterize every single day, even children as young as 8 years old. Intermittent catheterization will require you to insert and remove the catheter around 4 to 6 times daily and only takes a few minutes.
2. It’s an effective solution for bladder health.
Failure to completely empty the bladder can result in potential health consequences like urinary tract infections and kidney failure. Intermittent catheterization can not only protect your overall health and wellbeing but may also improve urinary incontinence in some individuals. Best of all, because intermittent catheters are removable, they will not interfere with your daily activities or lifestyle!
3. It’s safer than long-term catheter use.
Long-term catheter usage may result in bladder spasms, leaking, infection, or blockages. In contrast, intermittent catheters reduce these potential risks due to their removable properties. They are incredibly safe and have little to low-risk health complications when used correctly. Using intermittent catheters will not only improve your quality of life, it will also give you peace of mind!
Potential Issues with Intermittent Catheters
Some of the typical challenges associated with intermittent catheter usage include:
- Having supplies readily accessible
- Difficulty finding the urethra for women
- Moving the catheter past the sphincter muscles for men
- Pain from tension or anxiety