Bladder Management Female Urinary System kidney renal pelvis

Bladder Management

Female Urinary System kidney renal pelvis ureter bladder urethra

Male Urinary System kidney renal pelvis ureter bladder urethra

Why do you need to look after your bladder after Spinal Cord Injury? brain Cervical spinal cord Thoracic Lumbar bladder Sacral After spinal cord injury the brain cannot receive messages from the bladder when it is full. The ability to control the muscles that operate the bladder is also lost.

Why learn about bladder care? Because you need to: • avoid accidents • achieve complete emptying of your bladder • avoid infections • keep healthy How to keep your bladder healthy • drink 2 -3 litres fluid in 24 hours • avoid blocked catheters and constipation by drinking all through the day • ask your nurse to change your catheter every 4 -6 weeks

There are 4 different ways of emptying your bladder after spinal cord injury. • Indwelling Catheter • Suprapubic catheter • Intermittent catheter • Urinary Sheath Your consultant will discuss with you the best method that suits your ability and lifestyle. However, bladder management should be reviewed when you return to the hospital for check-up appointments.

Catheters

Female Indwelling Catheter Urine flows down through the catheter to empty the bladder of urine

Male Indwelling Catheter Urine flows down through the catheter to empty the bladder of urine

Supra Pubic catheter site tummy button

Intermittent Catheters This picture shows a woman using an intermittent catheters

Intermittent Catheters This picture shows a man using an intermittent catheters

Different types of Urinary Sheath

If you leak urine these are some things to check: • Check your catheter. Is it blocked? • Have you stopped taking tablets for your bladder? • Are you constipated? • Have you got a urine infection? • Have you increased your drinks but not the amount of times you empty your bladder? You may have a urine infection if you: • • • have dark, concentrated smelly urine are leaking urine have increased spasm have a high temperature have pain in your bladder have blood in urine If you have a urine infection, increase your drinks, especially water

If the infection continues: • You will need to send a urine specimen to your doctor. You can ask your nurse or carer to help you if you need this. It is useful to keep spare specimen bottles at home. • Your doctor may give you antibiotic tablets to take. Make sure you take the correct number of tablets. Read the label on the packet if you are unsure. Make sure that you complete the course of tablets. Who can help you? Your carer Telephone number: Your district nurse Telephone number: Your GP Telephone number: Spinal Outpatient Team Telephone number: 01296 315828 or 01296 315829