Urinary retentiveness is difficulty completely emptying the float. People with urinary retentiveness may need to urinate very oft, feel the urge to urinate again immediately afterwards using the bathroom, or experience incontinence.

Sometimes a chronic issue, such as a pelvic floor or prostate problem, causes urinary retentivity. Acute issues, such equally infections, may also cause urinary retention.

Keep reading to larn more about the causes, symptoms, and handling of urinary retention.

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A person with chronic urinary retention may need to urinate repeatedly in a short menses.

Many different atmospheric condition and other factors can crusade urinary retentiveness, including:

  • blockages in the urinary tract, such every bit those from bladder stones
  • swelling of the urethra due to an infection or injury
  • nerve damage that interferes with the brain'south ability to communicate with the urinary system, which tin can occur following a spinal cord injury
  • prostate issues, such every bit benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, or prostate cancer
  • medications that affect the nervous organization
  • severe constipation that compresses the urethra or float
  • anesthesia, which may temporarily affect nerves and cause urinary retention
  • cystocele, which causes the bladder to droop partially into the vagina, putting pressure on the float
  • pelvic flooring issues that impact muscle strength or nerve function, including injuries following childbirth or other physical traumas

People with urinary retention struggle to empty the bladder. There are ii types of urinary memory: chronic and acute.

Chronic urinary retention

This form of the condition develops gradually over months or years and lasts for a long time. The symptoms of chronic urinary retention include:

  • difficulty urinating, which may be constant or sporadic
  • needing to urinate over again shortly after using the bathroom
  • having to strain to urinate
  • a weak stream of urine or a stream of urine that stops and starts
  • not noticing the sensation to urinate and, therefore, non emptying the bladder
  • repeatedly urinating in a short period
  • urinating more eight times per day
  • incontinence, especially if a person does not seek treatment for urinary retention

Astute urinary retention

Acute urinary retentiveness is a medical emergency that may occur due to a total blockage in the urethra or another part of the urinary system. Symptoms include:

  • a total inability to urinate
  • an intense demand to urinate or the feeling that the bladder is full
  • swelling or pain in the stomach

Some people with acute urinary retention also have symptoms of an infection, such every bit a fever or chills. However, even without these symptoms, it is important to seek firsthand treatment.

Some people do not find any symptoms of urinary retention until they develop incontinence. People who have unexplained incontinence should, therefore, besides run into a doctor.

Treating urinary retention begins with diagnosing the cause. A urine sample sometimes reveals an infection, but ordinarily, a doctor must perform several tests to diagnose the cause. These tests include:

  • a prostate test for males
  • a physical exam to expect for signs of infection or injury
  • a consummate medical history check
  • voiding tests to examine what the urinary system is doing during urination
  • a cystoscopy, which involves the use of a thin instrument to look inside the bladder and urethra
  • imaging scans that help a doctor run into the float, urethra, and, sometimes, the kidneys

A person should be sure to tell the doctor if they have whatever mutual risk factors for urinary memory, including recent injuries, a prior history of urinary retentiveness, prostate issues, and cystocele.

The correct treatment depends on the cause. Some causes of urinary retention are more easily treatable than others. Some treatments that a physician might recommend include:

  • antibiotics for a urinary tract infection
  • physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction
  • changing medications when a prescription drug is the culprit
  • using a catheter to bleed the bladder
  • a surgical procedure called urethral dilation that treats a blocked or constricted urethra
  • inserting a tube called a stent into the urethra to prevent hereafter blockages
  • surgery to remove enlarged prostate tissue, prostate growths, or even the prostate
  • surgical repair of a cystocele

Sometimes, a doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, such equally drinking more than water, using the bathroom when the urge get-go arises, or increased physical activity.

Larn about nine remedies to induce urination here.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of acute urinary memory should go to the emergency room.
Chronic urinary retention is not a medical emergency, simply it does usually indicate a potentially serious underlying problem.

A person should schedule an appointment with a medico for urinary retention that lasts longer than a few days or that goes away and then returns.

People who feel temporary urinary retentivity due to medication or anesthesia may not demand medical treatment if the symptoms disappear and do not render.

Although anyone tin develop urinary retention, information technology is more than common as a person ages. Males are also more likely than females to accept urinary retention due to prostate issues and partial blockages of the urethra.

Some other take chances factors include:

  • urinary tract infections
  • using sure medications, such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, and some decongestants
  • giving birth, especially when the delivery causes trauma or injury
  • weak bladder muscles due to age, inactivity, or injury
  • nerve damage and disorders that can impairment the fretfulness, such as diabetes

Urinary retention tin exist painful and inconvenient. When information technology appears suddenly and leaves a person unable to urinate, it tin can be excruciating and very scary.

Delaying handling only allows the condition to go worse. Urinary retention is treatable, and in that location is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed.

A doctor can often diagnose the problem. However, in some cases, a person may need a referral to a urologist, proctologist, or pelvic flooring specialist for farther testing and treatment.