Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
The urinary system eliminates unwanted substances from the blood via the formation
of urine by the kidneys helping to maintain the correct balance of fluids, salts
and minerals in the body.
The urinary system is composed of:
Two Kidneys (reddish organs resembling beans in shape situated either side of the
abdomen towards the back of the body just above the waist). The functions of the
kidney can be divided into two groups: secretion of hormones, and extracellular homeostasis
of pH and water. The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney.
Two Ureters (Tube like vessels which convey the urine produced by the kidneys into
the bladder. Urine is propelled to the bladder by the contraction of a muscular layer
within the walls of the ureter while mucosal layer secretes mucus preventing urine
coming into contact with the cells of the ureter.
The Bladder (Collects the urine from the ureters. When empty it contains many folds
which gradually smooth out as it fills, like the ureters mucus is produced to isolate
body tissue from the urine. As the bladder fills stretch receptors initiate a conscious
desire to urinate.
The Uretha (conducts the urine to the outside).
The production rates of urine is controlled by:
Hormones.
Influenced by:
Blood flow and blood pressure.
Consumption of fluids and nutrients.
Fluid loss.
Bodily cycles such as sleeping and waking (urine production levels drop when a person
is asleep).
As blood flows through the kidneys it is filtered and cleansed helping to remove
the waste products continuously produced from the thousands of metabolic processes
by the millions of cells throughout the body.
Another part of the process is the regulation of the blood, lymph and other body
fluids:
Acidity.
Chemical Composition.
Concentration.
Salinity
Volume.
The hormonal control of the kidneys monitor what is released and what is retained
during the production of urine, thus maintaining the chemical balance of the body.
In medicine, a catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct,
or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or
access by surgical instruments. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterisation.
In most uses, a catheter is a thin, flexible tube although in some uses, it is a
larger, solid catheter.
Intermittent Self-Catheterisation (ISC)
Passing a catheter into the bladder via the urethra - the tube that connects the
bladder to the outside of the body - drawing off urine, and then removing the catheter.
Intermittent self-catheterisation is usually used by those who experience urinary
retention (incomplete emptying of the bladder). A reduction in the number of urinary
tract infections and better control over bladder problems may be experienced when
using ISC..
Long-term catheters
Used when other treatments have not been successful. They can be useful for a person
who experiences a continuing lack of control over their bladder. There are two types
of long-term catheter:-
Indwelling catheters
Inserted into the bladder through the urethra, similar to the catheters used in
intermittent self-catheterisation, but they have an inflatable balloon at the bladder
end that keeps the catheter in position.
The free end of the catheter is then attached to a collection device strapped to
the leg which can be reasonably easily emptied into a toilet when required.
Some indwelling catheters come with a valve, rather than a bag, to enable the bladder
to be emptied directly into a toilet if the person is able to do so.
Indwelling catheters can be attached to a night drainage bag that hangs by the side
of the bed.
There are a variety of types of indwelling urinary catheters which are only available
on a health professional's prescription.
Suprapubic Catheters
May be used if a long-term catheter is needed as a permanent solution to bladder
problems.
A suprapubic catheter is a tube that is passed through the abdominal wall directly
into the bladder.
This insertion is a surgical procedure performed by a urologist - a surgical specialist
in bladder problems.
Suprapubic catheters may be preferred over indwelling urinary catheters as many those
feel they are less intrusive.
There can be problems with healing at the insertion site as well as urine infections
due to hygiene problems when changing bags.
Discuss the range of options and catheters with the health professional or incontinence
nurse..
One of the most common problems encountered is urinary tract and urine infections,
often caused by hygiene problems when changing drainage devices. Be aware of proper
aseptic techniques for managing catheters.
