Urinary retention: Difference between revisions

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Urinary Retention
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Urinary retention
| image          = [[File:Harnverhalt.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Ultrasound image showing urinary retention
| field          = [[Urology]]
| synonyms        = Ischuria
| symptoms        = Inability to urinate, [[abdominal pain]], [[bladder distension]]
| complications  = [[Urinary tract infection]], [[bladder damage]], [[kidney damage]]
| onset          = Sudden or gradual
| duration        = Can be acute or chronic
| causes          = [[Prostate enlargement]], [[urethral stricture]], [[neurological disorders]], [[medications]]
| risks          = [[Male gender]], [[older age]], [[surgery]], [[medications]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[bladder scan]], [[ultrasound]]
| differential    = [[Urinary incontinence]], [[bladder outlet obstruction]]
| treatment      = [[Catheterization]], [[medications]], [[surgery]]
| medication      = [[Alpha blockers]], [[5-alpha-reductase inhibitors]]
| frequency      = Common in older males
}}
[[File:Sequence 02 1.ogv|Urinary retention|thumb|left]]
[[File:Urinaryobstruction.png|Urinary retention|thumb]]
[[File:Ultrasound of trabeculated urinary bladder.jpg|Urinary retention|thumb|left]]
Urinary retention is a medical condition characterized by the inability to empty the bladder completely. It can be acute or chronic and may result from a variety of causes, including obstruction, nerve problems, or medications.
Urinary retention is a medical condition characterized by the inability to empty the bladder completely. It can be acute or chronic and may result from a variety of causes, including obstruction, nerve problems, or medications.
==Causes==
==Causes==
Urinary retention can be caused by several factors, which can be broadly categorized into obstructive and non-obstructive causes.
Urinary retention can be caused by several factors, which can be broadly categorized into obstructive and non-obstructive causes.
===Obstructive Causes===
===Obstructive Causes===
* [[Benign prostatic hyperplasia]] (BPH)
* [[Benign prostatic hyperplasia]] (BPH)
* [[Urethral stricture]]
* [[Urethral stricture]]
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* [[Tumors]] in the pelvic region
* [[Tumors]] in the pelvic region
* [[Constipation]]
* [[Constipation]]
===Non-Obstructive Causes===
===Non-Obstructive Causes===
* [[Neurological disorders]] such as [[multiple sclerosis]], [[spinal cord injury]], or [[stroke]]
* [[Neurological disorders]] such as [[multiple sclerosis]], [[spinal cord injury]], or [[stroke]]
* [[Medications]] such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, and certain antidepressants
* [[Medications]] such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, and certain antidepressants
* [[Infections]] such as [[urinary tract infection]]
* [[Infections]] such as [[urinary tract infection]]
* [[Surgery]] affecting the pelvic region
* [[Surgery]] affecting the pelvic region
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
The symptoms of urinary retention can vary depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic.
The symptoms of urinary retention can vary depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic.
===Acute Urinary Retention===
===Acute Urinary Retention===
* Sudden inability to urinate
* Sudden inability to urinate
* Severe pain in the lower abdomen
* Severe pain in the lower abdomen
* Urgent need to urinate
* Urgent need to urinate
* Swelling of the lower abdomen
* Swelling of the lower abdomen
===Chronic Urinary Retention===
===Chronic Urinary Retention===
* Frequent urination
* Frequent urination
* Difficulty starting urination
* Difficulty starting urination
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* Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
* Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
* Urinary incontinence
* Urinary incontinence
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of urinary retention involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
Diagnosis of urinary retention involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.
* [[Medical history]] and symptom review
* [[Medical history]] and symptom review
* [[Physical examination]] including a digital rectal exam for men
* [[Physical examination]] including a digital rectal exam for men
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* [[Urodynamic tests]] to assess bladder function
* [[Urodynamic tests]] to assess bladder function
* [[Cystoscopy]] to visualize the urethra and bladder
* [[Cystoscopy]] to visualize the urethra and bladder
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment for urinary retention depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, catheterization, or surgery.
Treatment for urinary retention depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, catheterization, or surgery.
===Medications===
===Medications===
* [[Alpha-blockers]] to relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate
* [[Alpha-blockers]] to relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate
* [[5-alpha reductase inhibitors]] for BPH
* [[5-alpha reductase inhibitors]] for BPH
* [[Antibiotics]] for infections
* [[Antibiotics]] for infections
===Catheterization===
===Catheterization===
* [[Intermittent catheterization]]
* [[Intermittent catheterization]]
* [[Indwelling catheter]]
* [[Indwelling catheter]]
===Surgery===
===Surgery===
* [[Transurethral resection of the prostate]] (TURP)
* [[Transurethral resection of the prostate]] (TURP)
* [[Urethral dilation]]
* [[Urethral dilation]]
* [[Prostatectomy]]
* [[Prostatectomy]]
==Complications==
==Complications==
If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to serious complications such as:
If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to serious complications such as:
* [[Bladder damage]]
* [[Bladder damage]]
* [[Kidney damage]]
* [[Kidney damage]]
* [[Urinary tract infections]]
* [[Urinary tract infections]]
* [[Bladder stones]]
* [[Bladder stones]]
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Preventive measures for urinary retention include:
Preventive measures for urinary retention include:
* Regular medical check-ups
* Regular medical check-ups
* Managing underlying conditions such as BPH
* Managing underlying conditions such as BPH
* Avoiding medications that can cause urinary retention
* Avoiding medications that can cause urinary retention
* Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
* Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Urinary incontinence]]
* [[Urinary incontinence]]
* [[Benign prostatic hyperplasia]]
* [[Benign prostatic hyperplasia]]
* [[Urodynamics]]
* [[Urodynamics]]
==External Links==
==External Links==
* [American Urological Association](https://www.auanet.org)
* [American Urological Association](https://www.auanet.org)
* [National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases](https://www.niddk.nih.gov)
* [National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases](https://www.niddk.nih.gov)
{{Medical conditions}}
{{Medical conditions}}
[[Category:Urology]]
[[Category:Urology]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
[[Category:Medical conditions]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Urinary system]]
[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Urinary system]]
<gallery>
File:Harnverhalt.jpg|Urinary retention
File:Sequence 02 1.ogv|Urinary retention
File:Urinaryobstruction.png|Urinary retention
File:Ultrasound of trabeculated urinary bladder.jpg|Urinary retention
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 08:56, 13 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Urinary retention
Synonyms Ischuria
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Inability to urinate, abdominal pain, bladder distension
Complications Urinary tract infection, bladder damage, kidney damage
Onset Sudden or gradual
Duration Can be acute or chronic
Types N/A
Causes Prostate enlargement, urethral stricture, neurological disorders, medications
Risks Male gender, older age, surgery, medications
Diagnosis Physical examination, bladder scan, ultrasound
Differential diagnosis Urinary incontinence, bladder outlet obstruction
Prevention N/A
Treatment Catheterization, medications, surgery
Medication Alpha blockers, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Common in older males
Deaths N/A


File:Sequence 02 1.ogv

Urinary retention
Error creating thumbnail:
Urinary retention

Urinary retention is a medical condition characterized by the inability to empty the bladder completely. It can be acute or chronic and may result from a variety of causes, including obstruction, nerve problems, or medications.

Causes[edit]

Urinary retention can be caused by several factors, which can be broadly categorized into obstructive and non-obstructive causes.

Obstructive Causes[edit]

Non-Obstructive Causes[edit]

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of urinary retention can vary depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic.

Acute Urinary Retention[edit]

  • Sudden inability to urinate
  • Severe pain in the lower abdomen
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Swelling of the lower abdomen

Chronic Urinary Retention[edit]

  • Frequent urination
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream
  • Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Urinary incontinence

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of urinary retention involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for urinary retention depends on the underlying cause and may include medications, catheterization, or surgery.

Medications[edit]

Catheterization[edit]

Surgery[edit]

Complications[edit]

If left untreated, urinary retention can lead to serious complications such as:

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for urinary retention include:

  • Regular medical check-ups
  • Managing underlying conditions such as BPH
  • Avoiding medications that can cause urinary retention
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

See Also[edit]

External Links[edit]