What is a catheter used for?

A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into the body for various medical purposes. Here are some common uses of catheters:

_Urinary Catheter:_

* To drain urine from the bladder in individuals who have difficulty urinating, such as those with urinary tract infections, bladder obstructions, or incontinence.

_Intravenous (IV) Catheter:_

* To administer fluids, medications, blood products, or nutrients directly into a vein.

_Nasogastric (NG) Tube:_

* To provide nutrition or medication directly into the stomach through the nose.

_Endotracheal Tube:_

* To help a person breathe by inserting the tube into the trachea (windpipe) and connecting it to a ventilator.

_Central Venous Catheter:_

* To deliver fluids, medications, or nutrisi directly into a large central vein, usually in the chest or neck.

_Cardiac Catheter:_

* To perform diagnostic procedures, such as coronary angiography, and for certain treatments, such as angioplasty and stent placement in heart arteries.

_Dialysis Catheter:_

* To provide access for hemodialysis in individuals with chronic kidney failure.

_Lumbar Puncture Catheter:_

* To collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes or administer medication directly into the spinal canal.

_Peritoneal Catheter:_

* To perform peritoneal dialysis in individuals with kidney failure.

_Epidural Catheter:_

* To deliver pain medication to the epidural space in the spine, often used during childbirth or major abdominal surgeries.

_Swan-Ganz Catheter:_

* To monitor hemodynamics, such as blood pressure and heart function, by measuring pressures and oxygen levels in the heart and lungs.

_Bladder Catheter:_

* To drain urine from the bladder, primarily used for short-term urinary management or during surgical procedures.