When you see someone in a wheelchair, you notice the obvious – this person can’t walk. But that’s just one issue, and not even the highest ranking that most people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) must negotiate.
Very often bladder and bowel problems are ranked as bigger obstacles than the ability to walk.
Learn more about the connection between SCI and the bladder in this blog post.
Topics: Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
It might seem like a jungle out there, but let us help you point out the most important things to think about, when choosing the right catheter.
After a while CIC (Clean Intermittent Catheterization) becomes a part of your everyday life and emptying your bladder should therefore be as easy and comfortable as possible.
The catheter has to fit your needs, which means that there isn’t one specific type or model that is right for everyone. But there is some common, and important, advice.
It could be said in one sentence: The most important for your health and well-being (within your own control) is regular exercise, good sleep, varied food, daily routines, pauses for rest and relaxation, socializing with people you like and moderate alcohol intake. And still it can be so hard to live by…
This advice goes for everyone, regardless if you have a disability or not. But with a physical disability your lifestyle is even more important.
That’s why we asked the Spinalis foundation, the true experts on living with a Spinal Cord Injury, for guidance!
"A motorcycle accident. A car tried to make a U-turn on a bridge, just meters ahead of me. The crash was unavoidable. The result was a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Two weeks later I found myself in a hospital bed, crying and stinking…"
These are the words of Kent Revedal, whose life was turned upside down in a second, a few years ago. His story is valuable for everyone, but if you suffer from a similar injury, or similar bowel problems due to an injury or illness, you will find comfort in reading his blog posts.
We are very happy to present Kent Revedal, CEO at CercaDeTi Rehab and author of the book Smällen (The Crash), as our new guest blogger. And at this very moment you are reading his first post written exclusively for this blog!
Topics: Transanal irrigation (TAI)
If you feel a burning pain when you pee, you might have a bladder infection. Most people who use catheters have experienced this unwelcome condition at least once, and it's tiresome to know that you most likely will get another one later on.
But there are ways to avoid UTIs. Here are the best tips from some real experts— the European Association of Urology Nurses.
Topics: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC)
