Urinary retention is a condition in which you are not able to empty your bladder; caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract, an infection, or nerve damage.
Urinary retention can be a very uncomfortable condition to experience. This is a condition in which you are not able to empty your bladder. As a result, you may feel the need to go to the bathroom frequently, but only produce a small amount of urine. You may also experience pain and pressure in your lower abdomen. In some cases, urinary retention can lead to more serious health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss what urinary retention is, its symptoms, and treatment options.
What is urinary retention?
Urinary retention is a condition in which you are not able to empty your bladder. If you are suffering from urinary retention, it means that you may have difficulty starting urination, or if you can start, you may not be able to empty your bladder. This can be caused by a variety of things, such as an obstruction in the urinary tract, an infection, or nerve damage. When urine is unable to flow out of the bladder, it can back up and cause kidney damage.
Types of urinary retention
There are two types of urinary retention: obstructive and non-obstructive.
- Obstructive urinary retention is caused by a blockage in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or a tumor.
- Non-obstructive urinary retention is not caused by a blockage, but by an infection, nerve damage, or medications.
What causes urinary retention?
Many different things can cause urinary retention. Some of the most common causes include:
- Obstruction in the urinary tract. This can be caused by an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, or a tumor.
- Nerve damage. This can be caused by diabetes, a spinal injury, or surgery.
- Medications. Some medications can cause urinary retention by relaxing the muscles in the bladder. These include drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, and pain.
- Pregnancy. The increased weight of the uterus can cause urinary retention.
What are the symptoms of urinary retention?
The most common symptom of urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder. You may also feel a frequent urge to urinate, but only produce a small amount of urine. Other symptoms include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pressure in the lower abdomen
- The feeling of fullness in the bladder
- Difficulties in starting to urinate and emptying the bladder fully
- Inability to feel when your bladder is full
- A weak stream of urine or having to push hard to go
- Waking up more than twice at night to urinate
- Urinating frequently
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
How is urinary retention diagnosed?
Urinary retention is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and a review of your medical history. Your doctor may also order tests, such as:
- Blood tests. These can help rule out infection or other conditions.
- Urinalysis. This can help identify an infection or other problems in the urinary tract.
- Imaging tests. These can help identify an obstruction in the urinary tract.
- Cystoscopy. This is a procedure in which a small camera is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. This can help identify an obstruction or other problems in the bladder.
How is urinary retention treated?
The treatment for urinary retention will depend on the underlying cause. If the cause is an obstruction, such as an enlarged prostate, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the obstruction.
If the cause is an infection, you will likely be treated with antibiotics. If the cause is nerve damage, your doctor may recommend medications to help control the symptoms. In some cases, a catheter may be placed in the bladder to help drain urine.
What are the complications of urinary retention?
If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to serious health problems, such as:
- Kidney damage. When urine backs up into the kidneys, it can damage the kidney tissue.
- Kidney stones. When urine is unable to flow out of the bladder, it can form stones in the kidneys.
- Infection. When urine is unable to flow out of the bladder, bacteria can grow and cause an infection.
- Bladder damage. When urine is unable to flow out of the bladder, it can stretch and damage the bladder wall.
If you are suffering from urinary retention, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Prevention of urinary retention
There are some things you can do to help prevent urinary retention, such as:
- Drinking plenty of fluids. This will help keep the urine flowing.
- Avoiding constipation. This can help prevent an obstruction in the urinary tract.
- Change your bathroom patterns. When you need to go, use the restroom right away.
- Be in sync with your body by monitoring how frequently you have the urge to urinate.
- Make sure to take your medicine according to the instructions provided.
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises should be performed.
- Begin by making dietary and lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
Urinary retention can be a very uncomfortable condition to experience. This is a condition that can be caused by a variety of things, such as an obstruction in the urinary tract, an infection, or nerve damage. If you experience any of the symptoms of urinary retention, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The treatment for urinary retention will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, a catheter may be placed in the bladder to help drain urine.
