Different Types of Catheters Available

Not all types of catheters are the same

If you are one of many people in need of using any form of urinary catheter, your first port of call should be to decide which type is best for you. While there is an element of personal choice involved, primarily it is simply based on what is best for one particular condition over another.

If you have been diagnosed with urinary incontinence by you doctor, it is likely that they will have prescribed a size called a “French Size” and the number of time they want you to catheterize per day. You will find that there are many different types of catheters, but your physician will know which type will best suit your needs.  Some are designed specifically for females and other for males.  While some are for people who many have trouble with manual dexterity, but you can be pretty sure that what they recommend will be perfect for your individual condition.

But at the same time it can help to have at least a vague idea of why you are using one brand over another. Certain types will have specific aspects that are more beneficial than others, but mostly it comes down to major differences in the make of different catheters.

Depending on the regularity of your symptoms of incontinence, you may need either a disposable or long-term catheter which you can use. Simply put, a disposable one is intended to be used once so it can be thrown away after each use. Medicare generally allows use of up to 200 of these intermittent catheters in a month, so they can be ideal if this suits your problem.

Intermittent catheters and male external catheters are not designed to be used more than once. Certain other types of catheters such as Foley catheters can pose a high risk of infection and are intended to be disposed of as soon as possible. If you have been told to use these types of catheter then your doctor should have let you know about these requirements, so overall you should not worry.

There are some types of catheters, however, which are more specifically designed to be used over the period of a day constantly. These can be fairly discreet, in order to avoid any embarrassment which you may feel due to urinary incontinence.

This means that even if you are at a social gathering of some kind, you should still be able to interact like you would normally, without having to worry about feeling uncomfortable in any way. Catheters like these are designed with ease of use in mind, so you do not have to worry.

But as said, if you have started using catheters on a doctor’s recommendation you should have been advised about how you should interact with your catheters in particular. You do not have to concern yourself with ones which are irrelevant, and as long as you are happy that you can use your catheters in the best possible way to suit you then you should have no problems. If in doubt, just remember to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.