Self Catheterization

There are four pieces of equipment which are required for intermittent clean self-catheterization (ICSC). These are a catheter, some kind of lubricant (either a water soluble gel or even just water itself would be acceptable), something to clean up with (cotton balls or a wash cloth) and a container which can hold the drained urine in the event that the patient is unable to reach the toilet.

There is no one single correct manner in which to carry out intermittent clean self-catheterization. Listen to the advice of your doctor and follow some of the more common suggestions.

These suggestions include making sure all the required equipment is ready and easily at hand before commencing the procedure, emptying your bladder a minimum of four times each and every day (or as advised by your personal physician), washing hands with soap and water and then drying them completely before beginning the procedure and cleaning the equipment as instructed after every use.

Other suggestions worth following include using water with a face washer, moist towelettes or clean cotton balls in order to clean the opening of the urethra, slowly rotating the catheter upon removing it from the bladder, inserting the lubricated catheter in a gentle and slow manner until urine begins to come down the tube and making certain not to rush the procedure in order to make certain that the bladder has indeed been completely emptied. Some people also prefer to use a local anesthetic cream in order to smear on the opening of the urethra.

Intermittent clean self-catheterization is normally regarded as a very safe and simple procedure when performed with clean equipment and in the correct manner. Equipment should be cleaned immediately following the removal of the catheter. There are various techniques which can be employed for the purposes of sterilization, but common methods include washing the catheter in soap and water, boiling it, or simply using some kind of disinfectant solution. Other people may simply wish to avoid having to go through this part of the procedure altogether by making use of disposable single use catheters instead.

Most of the time, the use of a urinary catheter is only as a short-term option that is discontinued once normal bladder control has been resumed. Those who are forced to use catheters on a long term basis can use chronic indwelling urinary catheters which may stay in place for weeks on end but such devices carry health risks and alternative options are increasingly preferred.