Urinary Retention
Intermittent Catheterization
Helping you to manage your urinary retention
Urinary retention is the inability to urinate and is characterized by a poor urinary stream with intermittent flow, straining, a sense of incomplete voiding and hesitancy (a delay between trying to urinate and the flow actually beginning). Urinary retention can be caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract or by neurological problems that interfere with signals between the brain and the bladder. Complications in nerve signalling may impede important messages, such as a full bladder, reaching the brain. They may also prevent signals from the brain reaching the muscles in the bladder, making urination difficult. Urinary retention can also be caused by weak bladder muscle.
An effective solution may be the intermittent urinary catheterization, done by the patient himself or another person, a nurse or relative. This procedure allows to empty the bladder and thus to preserve the proper functioning of the kidneys.
Self catheterization for an independent active life
The solution for many people affected by urinary dysfunction caused by neurological disease is intermittent self catheterization. The patient introduces himself the catheter into his bladder in order to drain retained urine. The catheter is removed immediately after a complete drainage of the bladder. For each catheterization (four to six times a day), a new catheter has to be used. Self-catheterization gives the patient control of its baldder and to renew his self confidence as he becomes independent from family and health care assistance. In addition, catheterization avoids urinary tract infections since the bladder is drained effectively and emptied completely.
Please be aware that intermittent self catheterization should only be carried out under medical advice and only in accordance with given instructions.
Actreen® catheters: Making urinary self catheterization simple
Actreen® is a large range of ready-to-use intermittent catheters which are designed to be used by the patient himself in order to make urinary catheterization simple. The user friendly packaging is easy to open, meaning that Actreen® catheters can be used even by patients with reduced dexterity. Its pre-lubrication with a gentle lubricant ensures that Actreen® is comfortable and hygienic to use, without drips or mess from watery coatings used in some catheters.
Please be aware that intermittent self catheterization should only be carried out under medical advice and only in accordance with given instructions.
