Intermittent catheterisation.

PREVENTION of mental depression; HEALTH self-care; PARASYMPATHOMIMETIC agents; HOLISTIC medicine; NEUROGENIC bladder; CALCIUM antagonists; ANTIPSYCHOTIC agents; PATIENT-centered care; RETENTION of urine; URINATION disorders; INTERMITTENT urinary catheterization; SOCIAL support; CASE studies; CONSTIPATION; DIABETES; SYMPTOMS

When an individual has voiding difficulties, the person may require a urinary catheter. Enabling the person to choose an appropriate method of catheterisation and supporting them can have an enormous impact on the individual's health and wellbeing. Indwelling urethral catheters are suitable for some people but for others they can affect a person's lifestyle and lead to depression. Intermittent catheterisation can work well for some people. Intermittent self-catheterisation has been used to manage urinary retention for over 3500 years. It remains the 'gold standard' in terms of bladder drainage, but it is under-used and indwelling catheters remain more common. This article examines the history of intermittent catheterisation, indications for self-catheterisation and how to support people to use self-catheterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]