What is a Spinal Cord injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is an injury that classifies damage to any part of the spinal cord or associated nerves. Spinal cord injuries are serious and can disrupt the signal between your body and your brain, thus resulting in a loss of movement or changes to sensation and bodily functions.
Download Full Brochure
Life After a Spinal Cord Injury
About 265,000 Americans are currently living with spinal cord injuries. While rare, they can and do happen, especially following severe motor vehicle accidents, falls, or other injuries. If you encounter a spinal cord injury, it’s important to understand some of the changes that will follow. Life after a spinal cord injury will require adjustments, but it is possible to live a happy life, develop new hobbies, and maintain meaningful relationships. To start, here are some things that you will need to work on with your doctor.
- Managing incontinence Issues
- Neurogenic Bladder
- Increased Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections
- Deterioration of Renal Function
- Kidney Stones
- Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer
Self-Catheterization Tips
Learn from Others
While it might be frustrating or difficult at first, it’s important to stay positive and keep trying. One of the best ways to do this is to learn from other individuals who are living with spinal cord injuries. This allows you to see how independence is possible...
Practice Good Hygiene
By practicing good hygiene, you’ll prevent serious complications and infections from occurring. Always follow basic hand hygiene and go above and beyond when performing intermittent self-catheterization. This includes washing your hands properly and avoiding cross-contamination when inserting your catheter.
Use Adaptive Tools as Needed
If you have limited hand mobility or function, you can still self-catheterize. The key is finding an adaptive approach to the process. This can be supplemented using your clothes or even specially designed adaptive tools.
Consider an Extension Tube
When performing self-catheterization, you’ll empty your bladder into the toilet. Most products come with a tube that is meant to be used by an individual sitting on or standing above a toilet.
Consider a Closed System Catheter
A closed system catheter is a pre-lubricated catheter that is contained within its own collection bag. These are especially beneficial to individuals who suffer from recurrent UTIs...
Be Persistent
Above all, one of the most important tips on learning how to self-catheterize after a spinal cord injury is to be persistent. You’re going to face some challenges and at times, want to give up. However, if you have an injury below the C5 motor level, you will be able to successfully self-catheterize.
Finally, choose the brand that works best for you
...talk to your doctor and sample a few catheters before you make a large order. There are options for hydrophilic catheters, coudé catheters, straight tip catheters, rubber catheters, and more. To help, Byram Healthcare offers a wide range of urology supplies such as catheters and incontinence care. Contact us if you would like to discuss your available catheter options. Browse our products today and have them discreetly delivered right to your door.
Videos on Living with Spinal Cord Injury
Byram has partnered with the United Spinal Association to bring you educational videos to help you in your transition to living life to the fullest after a spinal cord injury. Topics include bladder care, skin care, nutrition, exercise, bowel care, and more.
Bladder Care and Spinal Cord Injury
Coping with Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury Nutrition and Exercise
Skin Care and Spinal Cord Injury
Customers Love the Convenience of Byram
Thank You Byram Healthcare
"Thank you Byram Healthcare! My bladder situation increased the quantity of catheters used daily before my doctor could raise the prescription amount. My supplies were getting low. A very helpful young man at Byram arranged for a temporary shipment to tide me over until the new prescription could be filled. Above and beyond what was expected. Thank you very much."
I am completely happy with byram
"I am completely happy with Byram. They have met and exceeded ALL of my family member’s catheter needs. Thanks again Alicia and Byram."
Download the full Resources Guide here
This resource guide will provide you with helpful information on how to catheterize, place and order, and much more.
Download Guide
