CIC and your body – how the urinary system works
The human body produces urine over the course of the day. To stay healthy, you have to rid yourself of it. Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is a safe and effective method when the body cannot, for whatever reason, rid itself of urine the natural way.
Urine is a waste product generated by the kidneys. The kidneys produce urine to dispose of the waste that is filtered from our blood. The urine then runs down to the bladder, which has a maximum capacity of 400-600 ml. The kidneys usually produce around two liters of urine per day, and that's why we normally empty our bladders 5-7 times a day.
If you have to perform CIC, it is because you have some sort of problem emptying your bladder. Due to illness, accident, or some other reason, you cannot rid your body of urine the natural way. To avoid having a bladder overfilled with urine, where the urine can possibly back up and damage the kidneys, it is important to catheterize as often as instructed by your health care specialist, which is usually 4-6 times a day, even if you do not feel the urge. CIC is both hygienic and effective. And with a little practice, it will become the second best way to empty your bladder.
For a more in-depth description of how the body and urinary system work, click here. A new window will open.
