The symptoms of urinary retention can range from severe abdominal pain and the inability to urinate, to few or no symptoms at all. Urinary retention results from either a blockage that partially or fully prevents the flow of urine, or your bladder not being able to maintain a strong enough force to expel all the urine.
In acute urinary retention the diagnosis is usually obvious. In chronic retention the clinical features are more variable and include nocturnal enuresis, recurrent UTIs, and lower urinary tract symptoms associated with bladder outflow obstruction, such as frequency, urgency, hesitancy and poor stream.
The most common cause of urinary retention is benign prostatic hyperplasia. Other common causes include prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis, and vulvovaginitis; receiving medications in the anticholinergic and alpha-adrenergic agonist classes; and cortical, spinal, or peripheral nerve lesions.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also called Kegel exercises, help the nerves and muscles that you use to empty your bladder work better. Physical therapy can help you gain control over your urinary retention symptoms.
The symptoms of acute urinary retention are often severe and can include abdominal pain and the inability to urinate, whereas chronic urinary retention may cause few or no symptoms.
In turn, the kidneys will only be able to make highly concentrated urine that irritates the bladder. Therefore, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the essential pieces of any treatment plan for urinary retention.
Chronic urinary retention means that you've had the condition for a longer period of time. The acute form of urinary retention is an emergency. In this case, you'll need to see a healthcare provider right away. The chronic form happens most of the time in older men, but it can also occur in women.
Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately. If left untreated, it may lead to: Sweating. Anxiety.
The first-line treatment of acute urinary retention is a urinary catheter to drain excess urine and decompress the bladder. Chronic urinary retention may also be treated with catheters as well as medications and surgery to relieve urinary tract obstructions.
Acute urinary retention happens suddenly and lasts only a short time. People with acute urinary retention are unable to urinate even though they have a full bladder. Acute urinary retention can cause severe pain and be life threatening.
With urinary retention, your bladder does not completely empty. With urinary incontinence (UI), you have urine leakage that you cannot control.
Other drugs include alpha-agonists, benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, detrusor relaxants (e.g., oxybutynin), and calcium channel antagonists. Elderly patients are more at risk due to increased prevalence of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and polypharmacy.
People with anxiety disorders can experience a range of symptoms and side effects, even physical ones. More frequent symptoms include a pounding or rapid heartbeat, unexplained aches and pains, dizziness, and shortness of breath, but anxiety can also cause less common side effects like urinary retention.
Treatment for Urinary Retention
For acute urinary retention, your doctor will place a catheter into your urethra to drain the bladder. Treatment for chronic urinary retention will depend on the root cause of the issue. To determine the root cause, your doctor may recommend: A physical exam.
Leaning forward (and rocking) may promote urination. After you have finished passing urine, squeeze the pelvic floor to try to completely empty. not to promote bladder muscle instability with overuse of this technique. Tapping over the bladder may assist in triggering a contraction in some people.
Using the fingertips, a person can gently but firmly tap the skin near the bladder every 30 seconds to encourage urination. Bending forward while sitting on the toilet puts additional pressure on the bladder, which can encourage urination. Placing a hand in warm water can trigger the urge to pee.
Incomplete bladder emptying occurs when the muscles of the bladder are not able to squeeze properly to empty the bladder. This can happen in cases where there may have been nerve or muscle damage, perhaps caused by injury, surgery, or disease such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Spina Bifida.
Urinary retention occurs when you can't completely empty your bladder. It can cause damage to your bladder and kidneys. It can result from a blockage of the passage that lets urine out of your bladder (urethra), or a problem with how your bladder muscle works.
The volume is normally between 500-800ml. Larger volumes suggest an acute on chronic retention picture. Acute retention can be spontaneous or precipitated.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Contact a healthcare provider if you're waking up several times per night to pee. Often, lifestyle changes can make a big difference. But sometimes, medication is necessary, especially if you have an underlying bladder or prostate issue. Fortunately, most cases are highly treatable.
A urinary tract infection (UTI)
Besides frequent urination, signs of a UTI include fever, a burning feeling when you pee, discolored urine and constantly feeling like you need to pee (even after peeing). You may also feel bladder pressure or discomfort in your back or around your pelvis.
Prevalence of psychological symptoms in persons with urinary incontinence. There is considerable evidence that a variety of psychological factors such as low self-esteem, depression, anger, and stress often occur in subjects with urinary incontinence.