Why Is Bladder Catheterization Necessary?

As MedlinePlus states, bladder catheterization involves placing a tube into the bladder for the purpose of draining urine from the bladder. Catheterization may be necessary when a person is unable to control his own flow of urine or when it is important to monitor a patient's urine output.

Severe Illness

• As the American Thoracic Society explains, bladder catheterization is frequently used for patients who find it difficult to get up and use the bathroom, due to circumstances such as severe illness, injury or recent surgery. For these patients, the use of a catheter removes the need to worry about frequently struggling to get to the bathroom. Catheterization is also used in patients who are unconscious.

Measuring Urine Output

• According to the American Thoracic Society, bladder catheterization may be used as a way to keep track of a patient's urine output. Urine output is an important indicator for many acute medical conditions; through the use of a catheter, urine is captured in a receptacle for easy measurement.

Urinary Incontinence

• According to Merck, bladder catheterization may be a treatment option for urinary incontinence. Catheters are useful to treat overflow incontinence, in which urine leakage occurs as a result of the patient being unable to completely empty her bladder. When such incontinence is a result of weak bladder muscles, bladder catheterization can be an effective treatment, as the use of a catheter allows the patient to fully drain the bladder. Patients may be given permanent catheters or may have to insert and remove the catheter throughout the day.

Urinary Retention

• As the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains, bladder catheterization can also be a necessary treatment for urinary retention, an inability to empty the bladder. Urinary retention may be chronic or may be a temporary condition, caused by something such as recent surgery. Catheterization allows the bladder to be drained, preventing potentially serious complications like urinary tract infections, bladder damage, and kidney damage.

Considerations

• According to MedlinePlus, urinary catheters carry a risk of certain complications, such as urinary tract infections, kidney infections and urethral injuries. If catheterization is continued for many years, the patient may develop bladder cancer.