What Are The Symptoms Of Urinary Retention
The signs can vary. Some people with the chronic form have a hard time starting the flow of urine. Some have a weak flow once they start. Others may feel the need to go but cant start. Others have to go a lot, while others still feel the need to go right after going. You may leak urine when you arent going because the bladder is full.
With the acute form, youre all of a sudden not able to go at all, or only able to go very small amounts. This occurs even though you have a full bladder. See a healthcare provider right away if this happens to you.
How Common Is Urinary Retention
Urinary retention in men becomes more common with age.
- In men 40 to 83 years old, the overall incidence of urinary retention is 4.5 to 6.8 per 1,000 men.
- For men in their 70s, the overall incidence increases to 100 per 1,000 men.
- For men in their 80s, the incidence of acute urinary retention is 300 per 1,000 men.
Urinary retention in women is less common, though not rare. The incidence of urinary retention in women has not been well studied because researchers have primarily thought of urinary retention as a mans problem related to the prostate.
- weakened bladder muscles
Obstruction of the Urethra
Obstruction of the urethra causes urinary retention by blocking the normal urine flow out of the body. Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia also called BPHurethral stricture, urinary tract stones, cystocele, rectocele, constipation, and certain tumors and cancers can cause an obstruction.
As the prostate enlarges, the gland presses against and pinches the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty completely, leaving some urine in the bladder.
Surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse, such as cystocele and rectocele, and urinary incontinence can also cause urethral stricture. The urethral stricture often gets better a few weeks after surgery.
Nerve Problems
Weakened Bladder Muscles
Treating And Preventing Urinary Retention
Treatment will differ depending on the severity of the condition. The following are potential treatments:
Bladder drainage: Involves inserting a tube called a catheter up through the urethra and into the bladder for drainage. Those suffering from acute cases of urinary retention will see immediate relief of their distressful symptoms. This procedure can be done in an office or in a hospital setting, with the patient receiving local anesthesia. In the rare case that the urethra is blocked not allowing a catheter to travel upward the doctor can pass the tube directly through the lower abdomen into the bladder. People with chronic cases of urinary retention may require intermittent, occasional, or long-term catheterization if other treatments do not work.
Urethral dilation: A treatment for urethral strictures a cause of urinary retention that works by inserting increasingly wider tubes into the urethra to widen the stricture. A stricture, by definition, is an abnormal narrowing of a passage that may be due to scar tissue. Local anesthesia is always utilized, and if necessary, the patient will receive sedation and regional anesthesia.
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Why Can An Enlarged Prostate Cause Urinary Retention
This symptom occurs because of the prostates location. It not only sits underneath the bladder but it surrounds the urethra. As it expands, it is largely prevented from expanding outwards because of the tissues around it. Instead it grows inwards, squeezing the urethra. This makes it more difficult for urine to pass from the bladder through the urethra.
In severe cases, the prostate can completely block off the urethra, meaning that no urine can leave the bladder at all: this is when acute urinary retention occurs.
Drinking Water & Other Home Remedies For Urinary Retention
Urinary retention is often treated by addressing the underlying condition. For example, prostate medication can help to shrink an enlarged prostate so its no longer pressing on the urethra, which can improve urine flow. Pelvic floor physical therapy may be helpful for women with cystoceles to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and reduce urinary retention symptoms.
There are also a variety of natural remedies that can address slow urine flow, the most common one being hydration. It makes sense to think that drinking less water can ease symptoms , but thats actually not true. Water is essential to the function of the body and without it, blood vessels cant deliver important nutrients to the kidneys. 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.
How much water you need per day depends on several factors, including where you live, your activity level, and your age. In general, the long-standing advice of drinking 8 cups of water per day is a good guideline to follow. And remember, liquids other than water can count towards that total, such as tea, coffee, sports drinks, and fruit juice. As long as you arent feeling thirsty on a regular basis and your urine is colorless or light yellow, youre likely drinking enough water for your needs.
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Symptoms Of Urinary Retention
The symptoms of urinary retention vary, depending upon whether the condition is chronic or acute .
Chronic urinary retention . usually develops over months or years. It is usually not painful. The symptoms of chronic urinary retention can include:
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Leaking in between trips to the bathroom
- Feeling an urgent need to urinate, but not being able to go
- Still needing to urinate after finishing
- Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen and urinary tract .
Sometimes these symptoms arent worrisome enough for people to seek medical care. However, the risk of not seeking care is that these people may be more likely to have complications from untreated urinary retention. These complications can include urinary tract infection or acute urinary retention.
Acute urinary retention has different symptoms and requires immediate medical care. The symptoms may include:
- Complete inability to urinate
- A need to urinate that is painful and urgent
- Painful or uncomfortable lower abdomen
- Bloated lower abdomen.
Urine Retention Home Remedies That Really Work
Urinary retention can be related to some form of obstruction, but it can also be the result of other causes that are not related any form of obstruction. In the case of an obstruction, there is often little you can do to correct the situation apart from the removal of the obstruction, but there are urine retention home remedies to help non-obstructed cases and to prevent the development of obstructions.
Please keep in mind that although the home remedies can help relieve urine retention, they are not all-inclusive cures and avoiding the advice and treatment of a health care professional can be fatal.
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A Combination Of Medical And Home Treatments May Help Ease The Symptoms Faster Here Are Three Home Remedies For Bladder Retention:
Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : February 25, 2020 9:19 PM IST
Urinary retention is the inability to completely or partially empty the bladder. When you have this condition, you may be unable to start urination, or if you are able to start, you can’t fully empty your bladder.
You’re suffering from urinary retention, if you experience the following symptoms:
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- Weak dribble or stream of urine
- Increased abdominal pressure
- Lack of urge to urinate
- Strained efforts to push urine out of the bladder
- Frequent urination
Urinary Retention At A Glance
- Urinary retention, either acute or chronic, is the problem of being unable to empty the bladder properly.
- Urinary retention occurs most frequently in older men, but it can affect women and men of any age.
- Chronic urinary retention may cause few symptoms and sometimes people dont know they have it until urinary incontinence causes them to seek treatment.
- Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency and may involve complete inability to urinate and painful, urgent need to urinate.
- Surgical and other treatments are available to resolve urinary retention.
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Are There Home Remedies For Urinary Retention
Acute urinary retention requires immediate drainage for relief and thus a visit to your health-care provider or a hospital emergency department. You can try very limited care at home, but do not delay medical evaluation if you are in pain. Try sitting in a bathtub full of warm water to relax the pelvic floor muscles or running the water in the bathroom to stimulate the flow of urine.
Discuss your prescribed medications, as well as any over-the-counter medications that you may be taking with your doctor, to determine if one or more of your medications may be affecting your ability to urinate normally.
People with limited mobility resulting in an inability to urinate can be encouraged to get up and walk, as this increased activity may facilitate urination.
Management of constipation with fiber supplements, stool softeners, and laxatives as recommended by your doctor may be helpful.
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What Are The Complications Of Urinary Retention And Its Treatments
- Urinary tract infections : Because urine is normally sterile and the normal flow of urine usually prevents bacteria from infecting the urinary tract, developing urinary retention means an abnormal urine flow gives bacteria at the opening of the urethra a chance to infect the urinary tract.
- Bladder damage: If your bladder is stretched too far or for extended periods, the muscles may become permanently damaged and lose their ability to properly contract.
- Kidney damage: Sometime urinary retention can cause urine to flow back into the kidneys. This is called reflux and can damage or scar the kidneys.
- Urinary incontinence : Transurethral surgery to treat an enlarged prostate can result in urinary incontinence in some men. Its often temporary with most men gaining bladder control in a few weeks or months after surgery. The removal of tumors or cancerous tissue in the bladder, prostate, or urethra may also result in urinary incontinence.
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When To See A Doctor
Anyone experiencing symptoms of acute urinary retention should go to the emergency room.Chronic urinary retention is not a medical emergency, but it does usually indicate a potentially serious underlying problem.
A person should schedule an appointment with a doctor for urinary retention that lasts longer than a few days or that goes away and then returns.
People who experience temporary urinary retention due to medication or anesthesia may not need medical treatment if the symptoms disappear and do not return.
Although anyone can develop urinary retention, it is more common as a person ages. Males are also more likely than females to have urinary retention due to prostate issues and partial blockages of the urethra.
Some other risk factors include:
Your Urology Specialist Can Help
Having difficulty urinating is an uncomfortable and inconvenient experience. While urinary retention remedies are good practice in preventing future health concerns, not being able to urinate is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Managing mild urinary retention symptoms is possible, but it is always best to see a urology specialist for a professional opinion to learn about traditional treatment options. Schedule an appointment with us, or visit your local emergency room, if you start showing symptoms of urinary retention.
This content was originally published in March 2019 and was refreshed in January 2021.
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How To Naturally Get Rid Of Your Urinary Symptoms
Advanced cases of urinary problems may require medical treatment. However, we can also use all-natural measures to get rid of these annoying symptoms. But what can you do on your own to solve the problem?
- Make a few changes in your lifestyle and habits to retrain your bladder
- Stay active and target your pelvic floor muscles
- Detect foods and drinks that help or worsen your symptoms
Studies show that these self-management measures reduce lower urinary tract symptoms in men. They may improve patients quality of life as long as they stay in touch and follow the treatment recommended by their doctor.
Plan A Toileting Schedule
Plan toileting attempts at least every two to three hours during the day. Normal bladder behavior is to urinate six to eight times per day, along with emptying your bladder before changing activities, leaving home or going to bed. A schedule helps prevent your bladder from becoming too full, resulting in a rush to find a restroom.
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When Should I See A Health Care Professional
See a health care professional right away if you are unable to urinate or have severe pain in your abdomen. Acute urinary retention can be life threatening.
If you have any of the other symptoms of urinary retention, such as trouble urinating, frequent urination, or leaking urine, talk with your health care professional about your symptoms and possible treatments. Chronic urinary retention can cause serious health problems.
How Is Urinary Retention Treated
Treatment for urinary retention can depend on whether you have the acute form or the chronic form, as well as the cause of the condition. For the acute form, a catheter is put into the urethra to drain the bladder.
Treatment of the chronic form or the acute form that becomes chronicwill depend on the cause.
Medications for enlarged prostate: For men with an enlarged prostate, certain drugs may be used to try and open it up or shrink it. These include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors . Also, procedures or surgery to open up the prostate may be tried.
Procedures for enlarged prostate: Many procedures are available when this problem is due to an enlarged prostate. Office-based treatments can be done with just local anesthetic only. These include water vapor therapy and prostatic urethral lift .
There are also several surgeries done under general anesthesia which are available. These include shaving down the inside of the prostate and opening up the prostate with a laser . A laser can also be used to carve out the entire enlarged portion of the prostate through the urethra , or this part of the prostate can be removed through the belly . All of these procedures can be effective in opening up the blockage.
Treatment for nerve issues: If the retention is due to a nerve-related issue, you may need to use a catheter on yourself at home.
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Chronic Urinary Retention Treated At Home
If youre experiencing chronic urinary retention symptoms, its normal to feel anxious about leaving home to seek medical attention. After all, you likely want to be close to a bathroom in case you need to urinate suddenly. At DispatchHealth, we specialize in delivering high-quality healthcare in the comfort of our patients homes. All you have to do is request a visit and well send a team to your homeits as easy as that. Our medical teams are fully equipped to handle a wide range of health concerns and arrive with a stocked medical kit that has many of the same tools and diagnostics as found in an emergency room.
Request a visit by contacting us via our website, the phone, or our app!
For life-threatening and time-sensitive injuries and illnesses, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. DispatchHealth shouldnt be used in a life-threatening emergency and doesnt replace a primary care provider.
Urinary Retention: Does Drinking Water Really Help
Urinary retention is a condition characterized by an inability to fully empty the bladder. The bladder serves as a storage tank for urine, a substance made by the kidneys after they have filtered out waste and extra water from your blood. Once made, the urine travels to the bladder where it will stay until a person is ready to urinate. In a healthy individual, the bladder can hold up to two cups of urine comfortably for up to five hours.
Urinary retention can occur for a variety of reasons. Among men, an enlarged prostate is the most common cause. Among women, bladder muscle dysfunction and urinary stones are the typical culprits. Individuals with this condition may experience:
- Difficulty starting the flow of urine
- A weak urine flow
- Feeling the need to urinate right after using the bathroom
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Follow A Fluid Schedule
Try to keep your fluid intake on a schedule to help retrain your bladder when to fill and when to empty. Also, limit fluid intake after 6 p.m. to reduce night-time voiding and incontinence. Target total fluid intake to 4060 ounces per day. Consuming too little fluid during the day can concentrate the urine and irritate the lining of the bladder, whereas too much fluid can increase frequency, leakage and night-time trips.
Change Your Bathroom Habits
Use the bathroom whenever you have an urge to go. Often, people hold their urine because its not a good time to go to the bathroom. However, regularly holding urine in can wear out your bladder muscles. Youre also more likely to develop a urinary tract infection if you hold urine in. UTIs can cause urinary retention.
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Natural Remedies For Slow Urine Flow
Do you get interrupted dreams due to an unwanted urge to pee at midnight? Well, now you can enjoy a good nights sleep without the need to urinate by adopting natural remedies for slow urine flow.
Kidneys are marvelous organs whose main aim is to kick out the toxins inside the body through urine.
The urge to pee is not merely due to excessive water consumption.
But, instead, there is an integral role hidden inside the act of peeing.
Sometimes this flow of urine is subjected to hindrances and blockages.
The ultimate result of which is urinary retention and hesitancy.
We discuss the most common reasons behind hesitancy in urination below.