Many seniors worldwide often have to deal with urinary incontinence. And along with a wide range of solutions, catheterization is one of the oldest solutions for urinary incontinence. It allows individuals to empty their bladders with ease.
The technology and design of catheters have evolved over the years, making them a lot easier for all sorts of people. Statistics reveal that around 39% of Americans aged 65 or above deal with urinary incontinence. In these circumstances, finding the most suitable solutions to the problem is crucial.
Top 5 Tips That Make Using A Catheter Less Painful
One of the biggest concerns most individuals have while using a catheter is the pain from inserting it. Are catheters supposed to hurt? The answer is no.
If you administer the catheter properly, it should be a relatively painless experience. But if inserting a catheter feels painful, there’s probably something wrong with your technique or the catheter you are using. Here are some tips to make using catheters less painful.
Use A Catheter With Polished Eyelets
Catheters with polished eyelets have small holes in the insertion area that allow the urine to flow. The urine moves from these holes into the collection tube and reaches the receptacle.
Some catheters can use the same technique by making holes in paper, making them more painful.
Therefore, using a catheter with designated, polished eyelets is safer and healthier. They are safer to operate and can provide you with better results.
Use Lubrication with Your Uncoated Catheters
Lubricating a catheter before using it is crucial to ensuring a painless cathing experience. Catheters can feel uncomfortable and irritating for first-time users if they are not properly covered with lubrication before insertion, but using a lubricant can make the experience less painful. Petroleum jelly is not a good lubricant for a catheter.
Using a lubricant can help reduce the friction in the urethral line and the catheter, contributing to the comfort you experience. You should use water-soluble and sterile lubricants, or you could face serious UTI, urethral infections, and other health complications.
You May Need A Coudé Tip Catheter
You can choose from a wide range of catheter designs, one of which is a coude’ tip catheter, an excellent option if you face discomfort or pain while administering a catheter.
A coude’ tip catheter can be much more comfortable to insert, even if you’re starting. However, coude’ tip catheter quality matters, so we recommend purchasing a catheter from a reliable vendor. You can also ask a professional for recommendations if you are new to using catheters and need assistance.
Latex Allergy That Cause Itchiness And Irritation
Itchiness and irritation are the two most common indicators that you use an unsuitable catheter. Users should switch to a different material to avoid any long-term damage. The wrong catheter can damage your urethral lining.
There’s a high chance the latex in the catheter you use is unsuitable for your needs. Although less than 1% of individuals have a latex allergy, it is not something you can rule out for your safety. If you face these complications after using a catheter, we recommend checking it.
A professional consultation may be the best option if you cannot determine the symptoms and their cause.
Switch to an Advanced Catheter
We talked about a wide variety of catheters available for users. You can choose from various catheters based on your needs and anatomical structure. Fortunately, you can use several advanced catheters for your next application because they are safer, more efficient, and easier to use. The following are the main options for the next purchase.
- SpeediCath Compact Set
The SpeediCath Compact Set is a closed-set catheter that is easy to carry and use. It has a hydrophilic coating and comes pre-activated. The catheter also comes with a collection bag, so it’s best for travel and public use.
- GentleCath Glide Hydrophilic Catheter
GentleCath Glide Hydrophilic catheter is a helpful product that gets the job done and reduces the risk of UTIs. You can pop the water container to lubricate the catheter and reduce friction when inserting it. It is available in male and female designs and offers multiple coude tips.
Summary
Using catheters is less painful if you follow the right tips and buy the right products.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Catheter Supplies
You need a trusted catheter supplier when you require catheter supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire catheter supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed catheter covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
