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Glossary
Aseptic Intermittent Catheterization:
The process of performing intermittent catheterization using sterile equipment and inserting the catheter in a sterile way. This means that either a ready-to-use product which can be inserted in a no-touch technique like the Advance Plus catheter is used or a hydrophilic catheter is activated with sterile water and inserted with gloves in a no-touch technique.
Bladder:
A hollow organ with a muscular wall that has two functions, the storage and emptying of urine.
Bladder Control:
The ability to control urination.
Bladder Diary:
A means to keep track of when one urinates or leaks urine.
Catheter:
A thin hollow tube that is passed into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine from the bladder.
Catheterization:
The process of inserting a tube into the bladder to drain urine.
Clean Intermittent Catheterization:
Insertion of a clean catheter into the bladder at regular intervals.
Continence:
The ability to control the timing and process of urination and bowel movements at a socially accepted time and place.
Cystometrography:
A test that measures the changes in pressure that take place within the bladder following continuous injection of fluids through internally placed catheters.
External Sphincter Muscle:
A round voluntary muscle surrounding the urethra that opens and closes to hold urine in or let it drain out of the bladder.
Foley Catheter:
A catheter that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra for continuous emptying of the bladder.
French:
A measurement of catheter diameter. 1 French = 1/3mm
Health History:
A comprehensive look at your medical history including information such as existing diseases, previous health problems, injuries, medications and surgical procedures.
Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control and the accidental loss of urine or stool.
Indwelling Catheter:
A catheter that stays in the bladder for several days or weeks at a time. Examples of an indwelling catheter are suprapubic catheters or Foley catheters.
Infection:
A condition resulting from the presence of bacteria.
Intermittent Catheterization:
Insertion of a hollow tube into the bladder to drain urine at timed or regular intervals.
Internal Sphincter Muscle:
An involuntary muscle located at the bladder opening.
Kidneys:
Two bean shaped organs which lie internally on either side of the spinal cord whose purpose is to filter waste from the blood and to produce urine.
Kidney Infection:
A urinary tract infection that also involves the kidneys. Also called pylonephritis.
Leg Bag:
A plastic flat bag that attaches to the leg to collect urine from an indwelling catheter or a male external catheter.
Meatus:
The opening of the urethra in both men and women.
Neurogenic Bladder:
A bladder that does not function properly as the result of nerve damage.
Nocturia:
The act of getting up during the night to urinate.
Overactive Bladder:
A condition in which the bladder is squeezing down too frequently causing incontinence or a frequent urge to pass urine.
Overflow Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine occurring when the bladder is overfilled (overdistension of the bladder).
Pelvic Floor Muscles:
Several small muscle groups that surround the urethra and rectum. They support the organs of the pelvis and help to maintain continence.
Prostate Gland:
A small organ in males located below the neck of the bladder encircling the urethra.
Reflex Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine due to detrusor hyperreflexia and/or involuntary urethra relaxation without warning or sensory awareness. This condition is only seen in the presence of neuropathic bladder disorders.
Reflux:
The backward flow of urine from the bladder back through ureters and sometimes into the kidneys.
Self-Catheterization:
The means of emptying the bladder with an intermittent catheter.
Stress Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine associated with physical stress such as coughing, sneezing, climbing or lifting.
Suprapubic Catheter:
A catheter that is inserted through the skin above the pubic bone and into the bladder for continuous drainage of urine.
Ultrasound:
A scan which can be used to identify the shape and position of the urinary organs and other abdominal organs.
Underactive Bladder:
A bladder with an overly large capacity that overfills. Loss of sensation due to this filling action results in a bladder that does not contract forcefully enough, and small amounts of urine dribble from the urethra.
Ureters:
Two hollow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra:
A muscular tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Urge Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine associated with a strong desire to void (urgency).
Urinalysis:
An examination of the contents of urine to determine the presence of infection, to diagnose metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes) and to obtain information about kidney function.
Urinary Incontinence:
The involuntary loss of urine which is objectively demonstratable in a social or hygienic problem.
Urinary Tract Infection:
An illness caused by the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Urine:
Liquid waste filtered from the blood by the kidneys.
Urodynamic:
Measurement of the functional sequences within the lower or upper urinary tract.
Voiding:
Urination.
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