When you started using catheters, you may have been asked to complete a bladder diary—a simple chart used to track symptoms of urinary incontinence, as well as fluid intake, urine production, and leakage.
Nurses – and their tremendous impact in our communities– are celebrated nationwide during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. The American Nurses Association has designated the theme for 2024’s celebration as “Nurses Make a Difference”. In honor of our nurse colleagues and friends, we want to share 7 ways nurses make an incredible difference to the communities, organizations, and patients they serve.
Neurogenic bladder is a term used by medical professionals to describe bladder dysfunction caused by nerve complications. Keep reading to learn more about neurogenic bladder and how it can be diagnosed and managed by your healthcare team.
Learning to self-cath correctly is a big step towards independence. As with any new task, you might feel overwhelmed at first with new terminology and instructions. It’s natural to get frustrated—but remember, you’re not alone! Even pros make occasional mistakes that can result in leaks, soreness or urinary tract infections.
If you live with urinary incontinence, skin care should be a major part of your self-care routine. What starts as an annoying rash can quickly turn into an uncomfortable and potentially serious case of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians wrote texts on papyrus about managing urinary incontinence ? We won’t discuss the limited options available back then but trust us—we’re grateful for advances in technology!
We know some amazing people who live with spina bifida – and we bet you do, too! It takes a community of support to make sure people of all ages with spina bifida get the care and advocacy they deserve.
Self-advocacy is essential for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn. As someone with an SCI, it is likely you will encounter situations where others do not fully understand your needs, or abilities. You might even find some healthcare providers are not well-versed about spinal cord injuries. Having a good understanding of your condition and needs, along with the ability to clearly communicate this information, can help ensure you receive appropriate care in healthcare settings. In today’s article, we will discuss some strategies for self-advocacy in healthcare and share resources that can help you hone this skill.
If you have urinary incontinence, you’ve probably got a lot on your mind. Staying ahead of urges, accidents, and when to self-cath can be a lot. You might be tempted to drink less water to help cut down your to-do list, but that approach can cause more problems than it solves.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria, especially e. coli, enter the urinary tract — the kidneys, bladder, and the urethra, which is the tube through which urine leaves the body. Germs can enter and irritate the urinary tract during catheter insertion or prolonged use.
