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What is a urinary catheter? A urinary catheter is a tube that is inserted into the urethra until it reaches the bladder to drain and/or collect urine. What is an intermittent catheter? An intermittent catheter is a urinary catheter that is inserted into the urethra and then once the bladder is drained it is immediately removed from the body and discarded. Are all intermittent catheters the same? No, there are many differences between intermittent catheters. The materials they are made of vary. Intermittent catheters can be latex, silicone, or red rubber. Intermittent catheters can come with a straight tip which is considered standard or they can be made with a bent tip which is called a "coude tip". The coude tip helps to go around obstructions such as an enlarged prostate. Intermittent catheters can also be made pre-lubricated which is called, hydrophillic.

First Aid kits are needed in every home and business. It is a simple thing to buy a pre-built first aid kit and call it a day. The first aid kits that are sold as a package are great for most situations. I think it is always nice to add a few items to them that fit you and your situation specifically. For instance, my son won't leave bandages alone so whenever possible I prefer to use the liquid bandage by 3M. It protects the cut or scrape allowing it to heal but my son can't peel it off. 3M Nexcare doesn't seem to come standard in a lot of first aid kits and that is a shame. Nexcare makes great products that are perfect for work and home. I am going to highlight some of the ones that I use often and have become standard in our personal first aid kits.

Have you ever looked at ostomy supplies and didn't know how to use them? Sometimes reading the little inserts inside the boxes isn't enough. What if you don't know anyone with an ostomy or your nurse isn't available to answer every question? YouTube is an amazing resource for ostomy care and support. You can find product reviews, how-to videos, and general ostomy support. The people who make the ostomy videos on YouTube do an fantastic job explaining the products and sharing what life with an ostomy is like. tips and tricks for life with an ostomy. As an example, I am going to share

How to clean a nebulizer safely: After Each Breathing Treatment: Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Take apart the nebulizer, check your instructions for how to disassemble your nebulizer. Rinse the mask or mouthpiece with warm running water for at least 30 seconds. Do not wash nebulizer tubing or compressor, always check your instructions. Shake off excess water and place parts on a clean dry paper towel for air-drying. Never immerse your compressor or tubing in water. Reassemble the nebulizer system after the individual parts have dried.

There are certain questions that come up over and over again when I am on the phone helping people with their ostomy care. The usual questions about products are easy to answer with a little research. Some questions are harder and one that I could never find a good answer for was, how do you shower without getting your ostomy pouch and wafer wet? I was able to find products that worked for casts and small wounds but nothing seemed to work for an entire ostomy bag and wafer. Then I found this video. I think this is a great solution! It is simple, clever, and inexpensive and because it is so versatile I think anyone can use this method whether they have an ileostomy, colostomy, or an urostomy. The tape that is mentioned in the video is a fantastic tape called, Hy-Tape - Zinc Oxide Waterproof Pink Tape.

My favorite shopping is online shopping, I love ordering everything I need and avoiding crowds at th

While you are still recovering from Thanksgiving travel and all those delicious leftovers Express Medical Supply is having the best sale of the year! Now is the time to stock up on those medical supplies and maybe throw in some Christmas presents for friends and family while the prices are down!

Having an ostomy means having and using an ostomy pouch. The ostomy pouch and wafer use adhesives to adhere or stick to the body. A secure seal is important for many reasons. The ostomy system fitting securely and remaining in place means you can remain confident that your pouch won't fall off or become loose. Your skin won't come into contact with your stoma output so it will not become irritated. Strong adhesion means you will have better wear times so your ostomy supplies will last longer so you spend less money on supplies. Ostomy supply manufacturers like Coloplast, Hollister, and Convatec all research adhesives and try to find the best possible adhesives for their ostomy systems. Ideally, you would not need any ostomy supply accessories because your ostomy system works great by itself and you get fantastic wear time and everything is perfect. I talk to very few ostomates who say their ostomy system is perfect. If you need extra wear time or your ostomy appliance isn't staying in place you might want to give a liquid adhesive a try.

Every year I swear I am going to start holiday shopping early and every year I am looking at picked over shelves the night before it is time to exchange gifts. Not this year! I am shopping early so I can save money by ordering online. I love finding the perfect gift for the special people in my life. I am always torn, do I get them something they need or something they want? I love when I can find those special gifts that are both wanted and needed! Many of us, myself included, have older family members. If you are like me, you also have family and friends who have special needs. What is a better gift for them than something that will help them feel better and be healthier? If you or your loved one is homebound or in a wheelchair there are cushions by ROHO that can help them be healthier and more comfortable! Many people need skin care that you can't find in a regular store. We have skin care that the hospitals use to keep skin exposed to a variety of elements healthy and strong. Maybe they need a new pillow or something to make travel better? Here is a list of great gifts for the people in your life that need a little something extra to feel comfortable and stay healthy.

Whether you or a loved one has an ostomy, one thing is certain, there is a lot to learn. It can be confusing to say the least when you first start caring for your ostomy. Your nurses and doctors will be using terms you may have never heard before. They may reference things you can't even picture because you have never seen them before! I have listed out some very basic ostomy terms to get you familiar with some of the supplies. Be patient with yourself and never be afraid to ask questions. These are just a few of the terms you will hear and there are many others. United Ostomy Association of America has a great guide for new ostomates that I highly recommend.