The bladder sends signals to the brain when it is time for it to empty. After a spinal cord injury, your bladder may not clearly communicate with your brain.
Craig Hospital and Shepherd Center share an educational video concerning bladder management for people with spinal cord injuries. The following bladder management types are discussed — indwelling catheters, reflex voiding, and intermittent catheterization.
“Keeping the bladder empty using any of these techniques is critical to good health.”
Indwelling Catheters
The video states an indwelling catheter is a small tube inserted into your bladder that constantly drains urine for up to thirty days. A urethral catheter enters the bladder through the urethra. A surgical indwelling catheter is surgically placed and enters the bladder through the abdomen.
Reflex Voiding
The video states reflex voiding occurs when bladder volumes trigger urine to drain automatically. Men can contain the urine through a condom catheter and a leg bag. For women, a medication can be prescribed that stops the reflex then scheduled intermittent catheterization is used to drain the bladder.
Intermittent Catheterization
The video states that intermittent catheterization is draining the bladder every four to six hours or as necessary. A catheter is inserted into the bladder through the urethra and removed and removed when the bladder is empty.
It is advised to work with your healthcare professional to determine which bladder management technique works best for you.
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