Inability to void may develop abruptly, but is usually preceded by a history of diminished size and force of the urinary system, hesitancy, nocturnal urination, and dribbling. Many of these individuals are older men, having developed gradual prostate enlargement, but scarring and stricture from infection in the urinary tract can also produce these symptoms.
One of the most important ways of relieving these conditions, short of actual surgical cure, is the use of the urinary catheter. Unless the obstruction is severe this soft, flexible tube with a rounded end can be passed successfully into the bladder in most people. The catheter should be sterilized, the opening of the urethra (meatus) cleansed carefully with antiseptic solution, and with appropriate lubrication the catheter passed gently into the bladder. Usually relief is obtained and this technique is easily learned at home thus allowing either for the necessary time to seek medical care or a chronic relief in older patients deemed unsuitable for surgery.
The Foley catheter, which contains an inflatable balloon, can be used for indwelling drainage of the bladder. This, connected to a closed, sterile system of collection can provide comfort for a longer time. However, infection mayresult from the presence of this foreign substance after only two to three days.
In association with gentle catheter placement techniques, bladder irrigation may be learned. Different patients require varying intervals between catheter change and this can often be prolonged by the use of irrigating solutions. Some of these inhibit bacterial formation and others improve patency of the catheter by reducing bladder sludge. All instrumentation of the bladder may produce hematuria or the presence of blood. Persistence of this and other urinary symptoms should cause a patient to seek counsel from a competent physician.
Although the urinary tract is complex and mysterious it is usually amenable to simple home remedies. The early use of these preventive measures can frequently restore health before chronic illness or disability becomes a problem.
One of the most important ways of relieving these conditions, short of actual surgical cure, is the use of the urinary catheter. Unless the obstruction is severe this soft, flexible tube with a rounded end can be passed successfully into the bladder in most people. The catheter should be sterilized, the opening of the urethra (meatus) cleansed carefully with antiseptic solution, and with appropriate lubrication the catheter passed gently into the bladder. Usually relief is obtained and this technique is easily learned at home thus allowing either for the necessary time to seek medical care or a chronic relief in older patients deemed unsuitable for surgery.
The Foley catheter, which contains an inflatable balloon, can be used for indwelling drainage of the bladder. This, connected to a closed, sterile system of collection can provide comfort for a longer time. However, infection mayresult from the presence of this foreign substance after only two to three days.
In association with gentle catheter placement techniques, bladder irrigation may be learned. Different patients require varying intervals between catheter change and this can often be prolonged by the use of irrigating solutions. Some of these inhibit bacterial formation and others improve patency of the catheter by reducing bladder sludge. All instrumentation of the bladder may produce hematuria or the presence of blood. Persistence of this and other urinary symptoms should cause a patient to seek counsel from a competent physician.
Although the urinary tract is complex and mysterious it is usually amenable to simple home remedies. The early use of these preventive measures can frequently restore health before chronic illness or disability becomes a problem.
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