Problem: Article: Catheters are used for a variety of conditions, so ask your doctor if there are any alternatives available for your specific medical issue. Sometimes, long-term catheter use is necessary and there are no alternatives. If this is the case, proper care and cleaning of your catheter can help prevent UTIs. Long-term catheter use greatly increases the risk of recurrent UTIs. Wash your hands and wet a clean washcloth with soap and warm water. Hold the catheter tube and carefully wash the end near your vagina or penis. Take care not to tug it as you slowly clean down the tube away from your body, then dry it with a clean cloth.  Always wash the catheter away from your body. Cleaning it from the bottom toward your body increases the risk of infection. Wash your hands again when you’re finished. Wash your hands, wet a clean washcloth with soap and warm water, then gently wipe the area where the catheter enters your urethra. If you’re a woman, wipe away from the urethra from front to back. If you’re a man, wipe from the tip of the penis down the shaft.  Continue to wipe your groin area with the soapy cloth. Rinse the soap away with a stream of water or wet washcloth, then dry yourself thoroughly with a clean cloth. Wash your hands again when you’re finished. Open the bag’s spout or clamp and pour the contents into a toilet or the receptacle your doctor or nurse provided. Clean the spout with a cotton ball or swab soaked in rubbing alcohol, close the spout, then attach the bag to your leg fastener.  Keep the bag below your waist at all times. Be aware of the tube’s position as you pour, and make sure it doesn’t twist or tug. Take care not to get urine on your hands as you pour. Wash your hands after draining the bag. Attach the drainage bag to a leg fastener, and never hold it above your waist when you’re emptying or cleaning it. Holding it above your bladder level can cause urine to re-enter your urinary tract.
Summary: Talk to your doctor about minimizing catheter use. Clean your catheter twice daily if you have one. Clean the skin around your catheter at least once a day. Empty the bag every 8 hours or whenever it’s half-full. Keep the catheter bag lower than your waist at all times.

Problem: Article: Use sandpaper or steel wool to scuff the sides of the stainless steel object.  Scuffing the steel will create a more age-worn appearance. It also removes some of the protective coating, allowing more of the vinegar to penetrate and work its way through the metal. Steel wool pads will usually create deeper scratches, so if you want to create more subtle wear, use sandpaper instead. Choose a medium to heavy grit sandpaper for best results. Place the prepared steel item in a plastic bucket or in another similar container made of non-reactive material. All sides you wish to antique should be exposed. If one side is covered or hidden against the side of the container, the vinegar may not work as effectively there. Pour vinegar into the container, covering all sides of the stainless steel piece.  You may want to wear safety goggles and safety gloves when handling vinegar. Even though vinegar is a mild acid, it could sting if it splashes into your eyes. Vinegar can also be a mild irritant if you have sensitive skin or if your skin is submerged for prolonged periods. Every side touching the vinegar will be affected. Any type of vinegar should work for this project, but white distilled vinegar is recommended since it is fairly cheap and easy to come by. If the steel piece starts to float, hold it down by placing stones or dry beans on top of it. Make sure that the vinegar still has access to the piece, however. Keep the steel piece submerged in the vinegar for at least eight hours.  The piece should look subtly aged and worn as soon as you remove it. When you remove the piece, rinse the vinegar away with clean water and dry it with clean towels. If the antiqued appearance isn't as notable as you would prefer, soak the stainless steel for a longer period of time.  Stainless steel comes in different grades, so this may not be effective on all steel pieces. High-grade stainless steel is more likely to resist corrosion than low-grade stainless steel. If the vinegar doesn't produce results, you could try using a more corrosive chemical. Toilet bowl cleaner generally works well. Bleach, denture cleaner, and silver dip may also yield results.  When using harsher chemicals, always wear safety goggles and rubber gloves. Never mix chemicals, either, since doing so can produce dangerous fumes. Thoroughly rinse and dry the piece before attempting to use a different chemical.   Once you are satisfied with the appearance, the project is complete. These results should be permanent.
Summary: Scuff the steel. Place the piece in a larger container. Cover with vinegar. Allow it to sit overnight. Repeat as desired.

Problem: Article: Starting with the lowest layer of hair, separate a lock of hair 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) wide. This should be small enough that you can fit the flat iron around it easily, and straighten it in one pass.
Summary: Separate a lock of hair. Finished.

Problem: Article: Water is essential for preventing kidney stones, but it can also help to promote good kidney function. If you are concerned about kidney disease, then you should try to drink more water. Make it your goal to drink between 6 and 8 8  fl oz (240 mL) glasses of water every day. If you are at risk of kidney stones, then you should drink even more water per day. Keep in mind that if your doctor has recommended a specific fluid intake for you, then you should stick to this recommendation. High protein diets can “overload” the kidneys, so it is important to eat only a moderate amount of protein to keep your kidneys healthy. About 20 to 30% of your calories should come from protein. For example, if you ate 2,000 calories in a day, then your calories from protein should be between 400 and 600 calories. You can determine whether or not you are meeting this goal by keeping track of what you eat and paying special attention to your calories from high-protein foods. High-protein foods include things like meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products. Sodium can also cause problems for your kidneys, so it is best to avoid high-sodium foods and reduce your sodium intake as much as possible. You can reduce the sodium in your diet by cooking your own food and by limiting the amount of prepared and processed foods that you eat.  If you do use any prepared foods, make sure that you read the labels and avoid foods with added salt. Keep track of how much sodium you eat each day. You should try to stay below 2,300 mg per day if you are under 51 years old and under 1,500 mg per day if you are over 51 years old. Low-fat foods will help to protect your kidneys as well as your heart and arteries. Try to steer clear of high-fat foods like fried foods, baked goods, and other fat-laden dishes. Instead, choose low-fat foods such as:  Lean cuts of meat Low-fat cheese Low-fat milk Poultry with the skin removed Fruits Vegetables Beans If you have kidney disease that is more advanced, then you may need to limit your phosphorus intake. Make sure to limit your phosphorus intake if your doctor has instructed you to do so. Foods that you should limit include:  Deli meats Meats with added phosphorus Dairy products Cola Processed foods It is important to maintain the proper balance of potassium, so you may need to avoid or limit certain foods if your doctor has told you to follow a lower potassium diet. Foods that tend to be high in potassium include:  Salt substitutes Oranges Bananas Potatoes Tomatoes Brown rice and wild rice Bran cereals Dairy products Whole wheat breads and pastas Beans Nuts
Summary:
Drink more water. Eat a moderate amount of protein. Reduce your sodium intake. Choose foods that are low in fat. Limit phosphorus if you have been told to do so. Watch your potassium intake if you have been advised to do so.