Catheters
Catheters - Urinary Catheters, Female Catheters & Male Catheters
Catheters are prescribed by healthcare professionals for various reasons ranging from urinary incontinence or retention and chronic medical conditions to temporary solutions during, or while healing from, certain types of surgical procedures. To meet the diversified needs of each patient and medical condition, urinary catheters are designed in many sizes, types and materials. Allegro Medical proudly offers a complete selection of top quality urological supplies like male or female catheters, intermittent and hydrophilic catheters, coude tip catheters and sterile closed catheter systems, foley catheters, external catheters and sterile lubricants at the best prices guaranteed. Sign up for our convenient Autoship Program and get your brand name catheter supplies delivered directly to your door.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a catheter?
A catheter is a soft tube made from silicone or latex that helps our bladders drain urine. One end of the hollow tubing typically sits in the bladder, while the other end is connected to a drainage bag. A catheter is a common medical device that has been safely used for centuries. Catheters are typically employed when the bladder and/or urethra (also known as the urinary tract) are blocked or malfunctioning either permanently or temporarily, due to injury or disease. Depending on your individual needs different types of catheters may be used, including intermittent catheters for short-term use and external catheters that sit outside the body.
How does a catheter work?
Catheters work by draining urine, either from the bladder or the urethra, to an external bag where it is temporarily held until it can be safely emptied. There are two ways to insert a catheter. If it is used for a short period of time, the catheter end is typically fed through the urethra into the bladder and held in place with a small inflated balloon. This is called an intermittent catheter and is used as often as possible to limit complications. If the catheter needs to be in place for more than a month, medical professionals will often insert a suprapubic catheter into the bladder through a small incision in the lower abdominal wall. This type of catheter, also known as a suprapubic cystostomy, drains into a belly urinary drainage bag and should be changed every 4 to 12 weeks depending on individual circumstances.
Does a catheter hurt?
While there may be some initial discomfort as an individual adjusts to the sensation of wearing a catheter, the overall experience should not hurt. Even during insertion, your doctor will likely provide some sort of pain relief to make the experience less uncomfortable. If you are experiencing pain after wearing a catheter for a period of time, it could be a sign of a larger issue. Speak to your doctor or healthcare practitioner right away if you have any pain including cramps, itching, or burning. You may be able to minimize pain through medication, or by using more catheter lubricant during insertion. Ultimately, most people don’t notice that they’re wearing a catheter after they get used to the sensation.
Can a catheter cause a UTI?
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is any infection that involves the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Since a catheter passes through many of these areas, catheter-associated UTIs are common. However, these types of UTIs can be avoided if an individual practices good hygiene whenever the catheter is touched, and is careful to always position the urine bag below the level of their bladder. Leg bags are useful for this reason, since they are positioned below the bladder whether the person is in a sitting or standing position.
How do I flush my catheter?
If you notice that your drainage bag is cloudy or is starting to smell, your catheter probably needs to be flushed. This is an easy process that’s made even simpler when you use an irrigation tray. To start the process of flushing your catheter, begin by washing and drying your hands well, then use a syringe to pull out any excess urine from the catheter tubing. Then use another syringe with saline solution to flush out the catheter tubing. Finally, clean off the tubing before reinsertion. Upon completion of this process, the urine flowing into the drainage bag should be clear and flow freely.
ABOUT COLOPLAST
THE COLOPLAST CORPORATION
Ostomy, Urology, Continence, Wound and Skin Care for Intimate Healthcare Needs
In 1954, Danish nurse, Elise Sørensen, was inspired to find a solution to help her sister, an ostomy surgical patient, overcome the fear of experiencing a leaky stoma in public. She conceptualized the world's first adhesive ostomy bag and turned to the husband and wife team of Aage Louis-Hansen, a civil engineer, and Johanne Louis-Hansen, a fellow trained nurse, to help her realize the dream. Together the team brought the first ostomy bag to market and the Coloplast Corporation began its decades long journey to find solutions for those living with intimate healthcare conditions. Today, Coloplast remains dedicated to the advancement, innovation and production of quality catheter and urology products, wound care, continence care and ostomy supplies.
COLOPLAST FAMILY OF INTERMITTENT CATHETERS
Speedicath® Hydrophilic Catheters
In 2000, Coloplast embarked on a journey to redefine the standard of intermittent catheterization. Working closely with both clinicians and patients, Coloplast introduced Speedicath, the world's first completely ready-to-use hydrophilic intermittent catheter. Available in multiple sizes with straight tip and coude tip for both men and women, this revolutionary catheter allows patients to conveniently self-catheterize anytime, anywhere.
Self-Cath® Catheters
More than 50 years ago, Coloplast invented the first single use intermittent catheter and continues to provide men, women and children the highest quality of standards dedicated to comfort, convenience and ease of use. Self-Cath is Coloplast's legacy line of catheters, offering traditional options like straight tip, olive and tapered coude tips and closed-system catheters in a variety of sizes and materials.
SureCath® Catheter Sets
SureCath® Closed-System Intermittent Catheter Sets were designed as an all-in-one solution for those on the go. Each easy-to-use catheter set includes a hydrophilic-coated catheter, sterile saline solution and a urine bag making self-catheterization convenient even for those with limited dexterity. SureCath Catheter Sets are available as single units or in boxes of 20, in multiple sizes and with or without insertion supplies such as exam gloves, CSR wrap, and iodine prep pads.
OTHER COLOPLAST CATHETERS & CATHETER ACCESSORIES
Coloplast Silicone Foley Catheters
Coloplast's Folysil is an all-silicone foley catheter inserted either through the urethra or in a small incision in the abdomen above the pelvic bone area, or suprapubicly. The indwelling catheter has an innovative two way Coudé to optimize drainage and minimize blockage common with longer-term use and a conveniently easy-to-inflate balloon. The thinner nature of silicone allows for a larger flow area within the catheter tube than its latex counterparts of the same size. Coloplast's Folysil catheters are available in multiple sizes by prescription only.
Freedom® External Clear Male Catheters
Male external catheters, also known as condom catheters or texas catheters, are sheaths worn on the penis to collect urine. The external catheter is attached to a tube that drains into a urine bag. Coloplast's Freedom External Male Catheters are available in a latex rubber and a long-wearing silicone version known as the Freedom Clear series. To ensure a secure fit, both styles are self-adhering and come in multiple diameters and lengths.
Coloplast Catheter Bags
Coloplast's Conveen Catheter Bag line is intentionally discreet and ultimately secure for day and night use. Available in a variety of contours and with features like soft cloth backing and latex-free fabric straps for comfort, anti-kink tubing, and anti-reflux valves to prevent backflow of urine, Conveen leg bags are manufactured with reliability and convenience in mind. For instance the innovative Conveen Security+ Extra Large Leg Bag doubles as a nighttime drainage bag offering flexibility and ease of routine.
Coloplast Manhood® Absorbent Pouches
Coloplast Manhood Absorbent Pouches are a non-invasive alternative to catheterization and a perfect solution for light to moderate male incontinence. Each pouch is designed with a discreet appearance in mind, has a wide adhesive band for stay-in-place security, and is made of super absorbent polymers that pulls the liquid away from the skin keeping your skin dry. Manhood Absorbent Pouches can hold up to 8 oz. of liquid and measure 5.75" long, 4.5" wide at the widest point and 3" wide at their narrowest point.
