What are urinary catheters made of?
When it comes to catheters, patients often favour one material over the others. According to the Franklin Institute, the first flexible catheter was invented in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin (one of the Founding Fathers of the United States) to help his
How your catheter passport can help you
The purpose of your catheter passport is to list the individuals involved in the care of your catheter. Follow the guidelines in your catheter passport to improve self-care and reduce your risk of urinary tract infections. In 2012, the NHS reviewed
Warning signs of incontinence
Identify the signs of urinary incontinence early and get it under control. The Gothenburg Continence Research Center (GCRC) in Sweden said in a 2018 report that if urinary incontinence were a country, it would be the third largest in the world,
Swimming with an indwelling or suprapubic catheter
Having a urinary catheter shouldn’t stop you from taking part in your everyday activities, including swimming. Swimming can be easily incorporated into a regular exercise routine, provided that you take special care with your catheter before, during, and after a dip
The stigma of living with urinary incontinence
The NHS estimates that between 3 to 6 million people in the UK live with some degree of urinary incontinence. Among the millions of people living with urinary incontinence, it is said that women are five times more likely to develop
Why do I get bladder infections, and what can I do about them?
A bladder infection is the most common type of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Bladder infections are one of the most common bacterial infections to affect humans and tend to be much more common in women than in men. According to Medical
UroShield from a patient’s perspective
“Since using UroShield I haven’t had one UTI” – a female patient in Surrey. People who struggle with passing urine have been able to benefit from the insertion of a urinary catheter – a flexible hollow tube which is passed into
Top 10 tips to help catheter users improve their mobility
A catheter user can still lead an active lifestyle with proper planning and knowledge. If you are a patient who requires an indwelling or a suprapubic catheter to help with passing urine – regardless of whether you have had a catheter
Going on holiday with a catheter
Having a catheter shouldn’t affect your everyday activities, including going on holiday. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reckons that if a person uses a urinary catheter for more than four weeks, then the person is considered a long-term
Best diet advice for patients struggling with an overactive bladder
Overactive bladder (OAB) is very common in older adults, and both men and women can have it, though it’s more prevalent in women. An overactive bladder (OAB) happens when a person suddenly gets the urge or desire to pass urine. This
