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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Starting with catheters
  • Intermittent catheter
    • Other options for managing your bladder
      • Indwelling catheter
      • Suprapubic catheter
      • Reflex emptying
      • Straining or expressing

      Intermittent catheter

      Intermittent catheters (IC) are a small hollow tube that is inserted into the urethra when the bladder requires emptying. After the bladder is drained the catheter is removed until it needs to be emptied again.

      This is the preferred way of managing your bladder and has the least complications. Another advantage is that nothing is attached to your body.

      People who use IC need to pay attention to their fluid intake and make sure the catheters are done on time to avoid overfilling their bladder which can lead to other problems.

      Why do we start with intermittent catheters?

      Nursing staff use intermittent catheters as early as possible, to make sure your bladder is in the best health during spinal shock. You are also less likely to get a bladder infection.

      How do I use intermittent catheters?

      You will need to use your IC every 4 to 6 hours but this may vary depending on how much you drink, how your body processes fluid, and how your bladder behaves when it has urine in it. It’s a good idea to discuss the frequency of catheters with your urology nurse and work out a schedule that best suits you.

      An easy way to monitor your fluid intake is to complete a fluid balance diary. Once you have completed your diary, share it with your spinal urology nurse or health care provider.

      What complications can occur?

      Although IC is the safest method of bladder emptying for SCI bladders, some complications can still occur.

      You need to keep an eye out for:

      • UTI
      • False passage
      • Stricture
      • Leaking.

      Starting with catheters
      Other options for managing your bladder

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      Quick links

      • Bladder types
      • Starting with catheters
      • Problems
      • Life hacks
      • Inside the bladder
      • Equipment

      About this resource

      This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

      The research project is funded by TAC.

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      This research project is brought to you by

      Austin Health
      TAC
      ISCRR
      WorkSafe

      Contacts

      Austin Health
      03 9496 5000
      Victorian Spinal Cord Service
      03 9496 5220
      Spinal Urology Nurse
      03 9496 5904
      spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
      VSCS outpatient Nurse
      03 9496 5176
      vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

      Disclaimer

      This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

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