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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Problems
  • Working out what's wrong
    • I normally perform intermittent catheters and have recently started leaking in between
    • I have a suprapubic catheter and have recently started leaking out my penis or urethra
    • I’ve had lots of UTIs lately and they seem to keep coming back after I finish my antibiotics
    • I’m having trouble passing my catheter
  • Other problems
    • Watching your fluids
    • How to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI)
    • Autonomic dysreflexia
    • Bladder and kidney stones
    • Prostatitis
    • Leaking
    • Bleeding
    • Vesicoureteral reflux
    • Hydronephrosis
    • Stricture
    • False passage
    • Catheter blockages
    • Bladder washout

    Bleeding

    Whenever a catheter is inserted into the bladder there is a risk that the tissue is damaged and this may cause the tissue to bleed.

    Bleeding may occur if the catheter is pulled or not positioned properly. This will usually resolve once the positioning has been changed.

    If you have had your catheter in for more than 10 years, and there are no obvious reasons for your bleeding, it is important that you speak to your spinal urology nurse as these instances should always be investigated.

    Signs and symptoms of bleeding

    You may notice blood in your urine. The blood may be mixed in, making the urine look pink or red in colour. The blood may also be clotted and look like red chunks.

    Management options

    Usually bleeding is nothing to worry about and it will normally stop on its own. If you have a permanent catheter (IDC or SPC) you should keep an eye on the urine in your bag and pay attention to the colour.

    If the bleeding doesn’t stop or the urine becomes very red in colour, and becomes hard to see through, speak to your GP or the spinal urology nurse. If you are very worried about the bleeding then go to the emergency department at your local hospital for advice.

    If the blood is clotted, your catheter is at risk of blocking. It is important to keep an eye on how much urine is draining into your bag by checking at timed intervals. If you suspect that the catheter is blocked you should change your catheter.

    If you have had your catheter in for more than 10 years, and there are no obvious reasons for your bleeding, it is important that you speak to your spinal urology nurse as these instances should always be investigated.

    Leaking
    Vesicoureteral reflux

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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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