Foley (Indwelling) Catheter

You may have heard Foley catheters also be referred to as indwelling catheters.  A Foley catheter is a hollow, flexible tube that is placed into the body to drain and collect urine from the bladder; it can be made from rubber, silicone, or latex.  Urinary catheters come in many sizes and types.  When the drainage system is connected properly, the catheter tube will lead to a drainage bag that will hold the urine that is eliminated from the body. 

Catheters are generally used in situations when an individual is unable to empty his or her bladder.  It is important to empty the bladder completely because the excess urine left behind can lead to an increase in pressure in the kidneys.  The increase in pressure can result in kidney failure, which is a dangerous issue that could result in permanent kidney damage. 

Most catheters will be used for only a short period of time, until the individual once again regains the ability to urinate on their own.  Some catheters may be required for a much longer duration, such as in the elderly, or those with a permanent or severe illness.  Your provider may recommend the use of a catheter if you are unable to control when you urinate, if you are leaking urine (incontinent), or if you are unable to completely empty your bladder when you need to (urinary retention).

Here are some reasons why you may not be able to urinate on your own that you and your loved ones should become familiar with:

ü  Blocked urine flow either due to kidney stones, blood clots in urine, or a narrowing of the urethra (the tube that connects your bladder to the outside of the body where your urine is eliminated through).

ü  Surgery on your prostate gland or in the genital area.  This could be from a hip fracture or hysterectomy.

ü  Injury to the nerves of the bladder.

ü  Spinal cord injury.

ü  Dementia which will impair your cognitive function and decrease your ability to recognize when you have to urinate.

ü  Certain medications can result in tightening of your bladder muscles, which will cause urinary retention.  Other medications such as Lasix may cause more frequent urination.

An indwelling, or Foley catheter, is left in the bladder.  This type can be used for both short and long periods of time.  An indwelling catheter is usually inserted into the bladder via the urethra by a licensed professional who follows a sterile technique.  There are times though when a physician may insert the catheter through a tiny incision, or hole, in the abdomen.  This type of indwelling catheter is known as a suprapubic catheter, meaning that the area of insertion is above the pubic area.  After insertion, a tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated and filled with up to 30 milliliters of sterile water to prevent the tube from sliding back out of the body.  Of course then, prior to removal the balloon is always deflated first in order to avoid excess discomfort, and the patient is asked to bear down to allow for a more smooth process of removal.

It is important to remember that when you have anything in your body that enters through an opening, this can allow infection to enter at any time.  Therefore, having an indwelling urinary catheter is the leading cause of a healthcare acquired urinary tract infection (UTI).  Due to this increased risk the catheter tubing and where it enters the body, along with the surrounding area are routinely cleansed to help to prevent infection.  However, the following list includes symptoms of a UTI, you should be aware of these so you can receive prompt treatment.  These symptoms include:

ü  Fever

ü  Chills

ü  Headache

ü  Burning of the urethra or in the genital area

ü  Leaking of urine out of the catheter

ü  Blood in the urine

ü  Foul-smelling urine

ü  Low back pain and aches

Having a catheter can be considered a burden.  Just like anything else, it is what you make it.  Total Home Health has a program specifically for you to help you manage your indwelling catheter and continue to function on a daily basis.  Our trained professionals will be at your side or just a phone call away should you ever have any questions or concerns.  100% client satisfaction is what we strive for on a daily basis!