Catheterization and Reducing Urinary Tract Infections

Catheterization and Urinary tract infection

Catheterization is often prescribed to individuals with urinary incontinence and urinary retention issues. If you do not empty your bladder properly, you can increase your risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI). Cheryl Hutton, a wound, ostomy and continence nurse with CHC Solutions, Inc., shares common signs of UTIs and how to reduce them.

Signs of A Urinary Tract Infection

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Cloudy urine
  • Red-tinged urine if blood is present
  • Unpleasant urine odor
  • Fever
  • Low to mid back pain
  • In women, abdominal discomfort or bloating as well as vaginal discharge
  • In men, difficulty passing urine as well as an urgent need to urinate

Signs of a Urinary Tract Infection in Babies and Children

Babies and children can experience various symptoms when they contract a UTI. They may show signs and symptoms such as having a fever, change in behavior, lethargy, diarrhea and unpleasant urine odor.

Five Ways to Help Reduce Urinary Tract Infections

  1. Firstly, always follow the catheterization procedure as instructed by your physician.
  2. When using catheters, ask your physician about insertion or sterile catheter kits that can help maintain a sterile environment.
  3. If recommended by your doctor, you can try using a closed system catheter. Its protective tip helps maintain sterility. When inserting this type of catheter, start by inserting the tip. The rest of the catheter is then fed through the tip. This protects the catheter from the high content of bacteria within the first few millimeters of the urethral opening.
  4. Using a hydrophilic catheter may also help prevent UTI’s. This catheter comes pre-lubricated with saline, allowing it to easily slide in and out of the urethra.
  5. Most importantly, never reuse a catheter.

To learn more about this subject, visit our blog on UTI symptoms in children. In addition, if you would like more information on identifying urinary tract infections, click here.

*Disclaimer: Any health and wellness content presented is for general informational purposes only. Such content is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.