Men with an enlarged prostate often find it difficult to urinate on their own, making a catheter an invaluable ally in draining his bladder until he can do it himself. While a catheter may carry bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, touch-free models are recommended as these could reduce infection risks significantly.
Coude catheters feature a curved tip to facilitate passage up through the male urethra’s upward curve more easily, and may be recommended by healthcare providers to patients who find straight-tip catheters difficult to use.
1. Safety
Men with an enlarged prostate often experience urinary retention symptoms. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options available to them including medication, lifestyle changes, minimally invasive therapies and surgery – as well as intermittent catheterization which allows your bladder to empty regularly reducing symptoms and risk.
Before beginning, your doctor will numb the area surrounding the prostate with local anesthetic, before inserting a catheter into your urethra. A Foley catheter is often chosen, since its drainage eye can aid in improving urine flow and drainage. A Coude-tipped catheter may also be beneficial, since its tip has an upward angle designed to assist in navigating male urethral bends.
Procedure can be uncomfortable for some men, and the end of their penis where a catheter is inserted may feel sore afterward. You can try applying water-based lubricant or leg straps to make it more bearable and ensure its stay in place.
Urinary tract infections can be an unexpected side effect of catheterization; to minimize its chances, make sure that both your skin and catheter are washed thoroughly and that you wash your hands frequently.
Urinary tract infections become increasingly likely the longer your catheter remains in place, and if an infection does develop, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics as well as suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your activities in order to protect yourself further from future infection.
2. Comfort
As your prostate enlarges, it can put strain on both the bladder and urethra, leading to weak urine flow, frequent bathroom visits, difficulty urinating at night and even complete urinary blockage. A catheter can help alleviate some of this pressure. Simply inserting the thin, flexible tube through your urethra can allow it to enter your bladder to relieve pressure on both organs.
There are various kinds of catheters to meet individual needs. An intermittent catheter, used at regular intervals throughout the day to empty your bladder of urine. Coude catheters (also called bent tip catheters or Tiemann catheters), on the other hand, have curved tips which make them easier to maneuver around an enlarged prostate or urethral strictures.
Foley catheters offer another viable option, staying in your bladder longer and being more comfortable for extended use. ProMed DME’s team of urological specialists can recommend the appropriate catheter and provide all of its supplies.
Catheters often cause discomfort at the penis end where the catheter comes out. To ease discomfort, try applying water-based lubricants like plain K-Y Jelly to the area or speak with your healthcare provider about prescription-strength anesthetic cream or ointment that can be directly applied onto skin.
To help avoid irritation, avoid placing or withdrawing the catheter quickly or pulling it out too rapidly. Instead, hold it lightly and move slowly so as not to catch anything or pull on anything while touching the catheter – and be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after each touch as this reduces infection risk.
3. Drainage
f your enlarged prostate is causing urinary symptoms, your doctor may suggest using a catheter – a tube which drains urine from your bladder into a collection bag – for day or night use to manage symptoms more effectively. Wearing one requires daily maintenance with Kegel exercises and K-Y Jelly use being necessary.
Catheters for both men and women can be constructed of silicone, latex or PVC materials and include features like push rings and anti-kink bulbs to stop urine backflow, as well as built-in anti-clotting agents that protect skin from bacteria or infection – these features are essential when wearing catheters for extended periods.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy, is one of the primary reasons men needing catheters as they age, often leading to urinary symptoms that require regular use.
Dietary changes and medications may help alleviate symptoms associated with BPH, while surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which involves inserting a thin tool with a light, known as a resectoscope into the urethra to remove extra tissue while increasing fluid flow, may provide relief. It’s worth considering as an option for those suffering from large or very large prostates as it typically results in shorter hospital stays than traditional surgeries for prostate enlargement.
Straight catheters are the most frequently utilized type of catheter. This flexible tube connects your bladder to the toilet, and is intended for use by both men and women. Another popular catheter choice is coude catheter, which features an unconventionally curved tip to better navigate blockages such as enlarged prostates or strictures where straight catheters cannot.
4. Ease of Use
Cancer patients suffering from prostate issues that prevent them from emptying their bladder properly can find comfort in having access to catheters as a lifesaver. While this situation may be difficult, there are steps patients can take to help alleviate symptoms and decrease catheter use.
Consult with a healthcare professional to identify an ideal catheter. Next, learn how to insert and remove your catheter – this process is known as Self-Intermittent Catheterization (IC).
Use of a catheter may seem straightforward, but it’s essential to remain mindful of potential risks and complications related to its use. Improper care could result in urinary tract infections; furthermore, catheter use could cause your urethra to narrow resulting in stricture syndrome.
Therefore, it’s crucial that when using a catheter for an enlarged prostate you carefully follow your physician’s instructions. Insertion requires using gentle pressure in the perineal area so the catheter goes through in its intended route without getting blocked up by tissue or becoming blocked itself. A leg strap may also help ensure your tubing doesn’t pull on inside your thighs during use.
Coude-tipped catheters feature a smaller insertion point with an arched tip for easier navigation around strictures or bypasses in the urethra, making this catheter type more effective than traditional straight-tip catheters. We offer high-quality options at ProMed DME to meet all your enlarged prostate management needs effectively.
5. Cost
An enlarged prostate is a common problem among men that causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms. If left untreated, it can even blockage of the urethra making urination difficult or impossible. But there are numerous treatment options that can reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life –
Many patients can benefit from having a urinary catheter inserted. These catheters drain urine throughout the day into an attached collection device such as a urinal or leg bag and can be easily installed at home by either patients themselves or medical professionals, helping alleviate urinary symptoms and providing relief from symptoms associated with them. Types of catheter used will depend upon individual needs. 180 Medical offers male catheter options such as Foley catheters, indwelling catheters and intermittent catheters which may provide you with relief.
Foley catheters feature a small balloon near their insertion tip that helps secure their position inside the bladder. They should typically be inserted just before urethral bifurcation to ensure they have reached the bladder without premature balloon inflation which may lead to urethral erosion – one of the many risks of using regular catheters.
An indwelling catheter is placed into the urethra by a doctor or nurse and serves to transport urine from the bladder out of the body through its soft, short, and strong curve. A Coude catheter offers greater effectiveness for maneuvering around narrower portions of prostate gland, such as narrow passageways in narrower parts.
Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP) is an outpatient laser procedure used to target excess prostate tissue for destruction. Usually performed in your doctor’s office with minimal side effects, this treatment may provide temporary relief from symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate while not treating all forms.