Foley Catheter Overview

Information

Urinary catheters are sometimes recommended as way to manage urinary incontinence and urinary retention in both men and women. There are several different types of catheters, which may be used for a variety of different reasons.

URINARY CATHETERS

Urinary catheters may be used to drain the bladder. This is often a last resort because of the possible complications associated with continuous catheter usage. Complications of catheter use may include: urinary tract or kidney infections, blood infections ( septicemia ), urethral injury , skin breakdown, bladder stones , and blood in the urine (hematuria). After many years of catheter use, bladder cancer may also develop.

Your health care provider may recommend use of a catheter for short term use or long term use. Long-term use catheters are called indwelling catheters.

Catheters come in a large variety of sizes, ...