How to Choose the Right Catheter ?

Many health conditions can cause the need to use a catheter on a daily basis. Depending on your particular medical needs, the type of catheter, and the context in which you will have to catheterize yourself will change. It therfore is of paramount importance that you consult a healthcare specialist in order to find the right type of catheters for you.

That being said, the incredibly wide variety provided by the manufacturers can make it difficult to find the right urinary product for you, even for trained specialists. Ultimately, you will be the one to live with the consequences of the choice of catheter. As such, it can be helpful to explore the available options. Furthermore, if you are helping a relative or loved one in their daily struggles, it can be interesting to learn how urinary catheters are used, if only to provide a favorable environment.

The Usage of Catheters

All catheters are not used in the same context. Intermittent catheters  are used to empty the bladder as needed, which can occur one to six times per day. Closed-system catheters  gather urine in an attached bag  , either hung near the bed strapped to the user’s leg, and are used to measure the quantity of urine produced over a given time. Foley catheters  are built with a balloon in order to affix them inside the bladder, to provide a more permanent catheterization. 

Some urinary catheters are packaged in a way to make them easily used, especially while on the road or when travelling. These urethral catheters are often pre-lubrified and packaged to avoid contamination when inserted. 

For every-day use, inside the home or in a clean and sanitary environmnent, it is possible to buy the lubricant and sterilizing towelettes of our choice, in order to provide optimal comfort when using catheters. 

The Caracteristics of Urinary Catheters

Catheters are specified by their material, length, tube diameter, and shape of the tip.  

Catheters are made of different materials, including latex. If you have an allergy, it is extremeley important to verify what material the catheter is made of before using it, as it could cause significant irritation or other serious complications.  

Vesical catheters are fabricated on differing lengths, mainly distinguished between men-sized and women-sized. Because of their longer urethra, men generally need urinary catheters around 40cm in length. Women and children typically need a shorter sound, and can use catheters that are anywhere from 7 to 20 cm long. 

Urinary catheters are available in many sizes. The diameter of catheters is normally measured based on the French Gauge (FR) scale, in French called the Charrière (CH) scale. This scale is based on the metric scale, where one French is equal to one-third millimeter. This means a 3FR is equal to 1mm. The right size of a catheter should be determined by a health specialist. Too small a tube will cause leaks, but too wide a tube can cause serious discomforts or even wounds. 

Catherers can be straight or curved. Tiemann catheters, sometimes labelled as “coudé”, have a slight curve on its insersion tip. That curve is to make it easier to push the sound all the way to the bladder by following the natural curves of the urethra. This is particularily useful for men, since they are easier to handle so they don’t get caught in the prostate or in the bladder neck. 

Ultimately, your healthcare specialist will be the best suited to inform you about your catheterization needs. Still, take the time to reflect on your personnal preferences, and note the caracteristics of the catheters that are recommended to you by your physician. That way, you will be able to compare for yourself the different urinary products that are available to you, so that you can find the safest, most comfortable, catheter system. You can also contact us, here at Équipements Adaptés MCL, in order to learn more about the urinary and urology products that are available on the market.

Helping to find Mobility, Comfort and Liberty !