When you’re unable to urinate, the problem can quickly become serious. As urine builds up in thebladder, it becomes uncomfortable, then painful. If the problem continues, the bladder can become overly full and urine can back up into yourkidneys, causing damage that can be permanent.When this happens, a sterile, flexible tube called a urinary catheter is inserted into the urethra (where urine leaves the body) and is gently pushed up until the end rests in your bladder. The catheter then drains the urine into an attached bag.surasak petchang / Getty ImagesUrinary CathetersUrinary catheters are often used during surgery, as you can’t control your bladder while under anesthesia.For this purpose, a foley catheter is typically placed prior to surgery and keeps the bladder empty throughout. It may be removed after the surgery is completed and before the person awakens from anesthetic or remain in place until the person is awake and alert enough to begin urinating normally.Foley CatheterAfoley catheteris a sterile urinary catheter that’s intended to stay in place for an extended period of time.The tip of the catheter has a balloon on it that can be inflated in the bladder and hold the foley in place. Urine then drains from the bladder through the tube and into a collection bag.It’s also referred to as an indwelling catheter.This type of catheter is used when a patient is unable to urinate on their own, either because they are too sick, sedated, or unable to urinate without assistance because of a medical issue.Straight CathetersIf your bladder just needs to be drained once, and the catheter doesn’t need to remain in place, a straight catheter, or straight cath, is inserted and then removed once your bladder is emptied.Other Types of Urinary CathetersRisks of Urinary CathetersA urinary catheter, regardless of type, increases the risk of aurinary tract infection.Despite the fact that sterile technique is used to insert them, the introduction of any foreign body into the urinary tract increases the risk of infection.The longer a foley catheter stays in the bladder, or the greater the number of times a temporary catheter is inserted, the greater the chance of infection.Why Catheters Are UsedCatheters are used for several reasons. The most common is urinary retention, or being unable to empty your bladder.Additionally, many ICU patients are too sick to use a bedpan, so they’ll have a foley catheter to manage their urine.Conditions that make using a bedpan painful, such as a broken hip, require the use of a urinary catheter, as well.Catheters also are used in people who are urine incontinent and have a wound orsurgical incisionthat could come into contact with urine.Catheters are sometimes used to manage incontinence, but this is becoming less common due to the increased infection risk.Also Known As:Foley, Foley cath, straight cath, straight catheter,Common Misspellings:Folee, Foaley, cathater, cathetar,Examples:The foley catheter was inserted before surgery, as the patient would be under anesthesia for at least three hours.Symptoms of Bladder Outlet Obstruction
When you’re unable to urinate, the problem can quickly become serious. As urine builds up in thebladder, it becomes uncomfortable, then painful. If the problem continues, the bladder can become overly full and urine can back up into yourkidneys, causing damage that can be permanent.
When this happens, a sterile, flexible tube called a urinary catheter is inserted into the urethra (where urine leaves the body) and is gently pushed up until the end rests in your bladder. The catheter then drains the urine into an attached bag.
surasak petchang / Getty Images
Urinary Catheters
Urinary catheters are often used during surgery, as you can’t control your bladder while under anesthesia.
For this purpose, a foley catheter is typically placed prior to surgery and keeps the bladder empty throughout. It may be removed after the surgery is completed and before the person awakens from anesthetic or remain in place until the person is awake and alert enough to begin urinating normally.
Foley Catheter
Afoley catheteris a sterile urinary catheter that’s intended to stay in place for an extended period of time.
The tip of the catheter has a balloon on it that can be inflated in the bladder and hold the foley in place. Urine then drains from the bladder through the tube and into a collection bag.It’s also referred to as an indwelling catheter.
This type of catheter is used when a patient is unable to urinate on their own, either because they are too sick, sedated, or unable to urinate without assistance because of a medical issue.
Straight Catheters
If your bladder just needs to be drained once, and the catheter doesn’t need to remain in place, a straight catheter, or straight cath, is inserted and then removed once your bladder is emptied.
Other Types of Urinary Catheters
Risks of Urinary Catheters
A urinary catheter, regardless of type, increases the risk of aurinary tract infection.Despite the fact that sterile technique is used to insert them, the introduction of any foreign body into the urinary tract increases the risk of infection.
The longer a foley catheter stays in the bladder, or the greater the number of times a temporary catheter is inserted, the greater the chance of infection.
Why Catheters Are Used
Catheters are used for several reasons. The most common is urinary retention, or being unable to empty your bladder.
Additionally, many ICU patients are too sick to use a bedpan, so they’ll have a foley catheter to manage their urine.
Conditions that make using a bedpan painful, such as a broken hip, require the use of a urinary catheter, as well.
Catheters also are used in people who are urine incontinent and have a wound orsurgical incisionthat could come into contact with urine.
Catheters are sometimes used to manage incontinence, but this is becoming less common due to the increased infection risk.
Also Known As:Foley, Foley cath, straight cath, straight catheter,
Common Misspellings:Folee, Foaley, cathater, cathetar,
Examples:The foley catheter was inserted before surgery, as the patient would be under anesthesia for at least three hours.
Symptoms of Bladder Outlet Obstruction
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urinary catheters.Home Care Delivered.What is a straight catheter?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Summary of recommendations.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urinary catheters.Home Care Delivered.What is a straight catheter?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Summary of recommendations.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Urinary catheters.Home Care Delivered.What is a straight catheter?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Summary of recommendations.
MedlinePlus.Urinary catheters.
Home Care Delivered.What is a straight catheter?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Summary of recommendations.
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