About all

Medical term for not being able to urinate. Urinary Retention: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

What is urinary retention. How is urinary retention diagnosed. What are the treatment options for urinary retention. Who is at risk for developing urinary retention. What are the potential complications of urinary retention. How can urinary retention be prevented. When should you seek medical attention for urinary retention.

Understanding Urinary Retention: Definition and Types

Urinary retention is a condition characterized by the inability to completely empty the bladder of urine. This can occur in two primary forms:

  • Acute urinary retention: A sudden and complete inability to urinate
  • Chronic urinary retention: A gradual decline in the ability to fully empty the bladder

Acute urinary retention is considered a medical emergency, often accompanied by severe pain and discomfort. Chronic urinary retention, on the other hand, may develop slowly over time and can sometimes go unnoticed due to a lack of obvious symptoms.

Is urinary retention a disease? No, urinary retention is not a disease in itself but rather a condition that can result from various underlying health issues. These may include prostate problems in men, cystocele in women, or other medical conditions affecting the urinary system.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Urinary Retention

The prevalence of urinary retention varies significantly between different demographic groups:

  • Older men are at the highest risk, with approximately 1 in 10 men over 70 and nearly 1 in 3 men in their 80s experiencing acute urinary retention over a five-year period
  • Women have a much lower incidence, with only about 3 in 100,000 developing acute urinary retention annually
  • Children rarely experience urinary retention

What factors increase the likelihood of developing urinary retention? Several risk factors can contribute to the development of urinary retention:

  • Age: The risk increases significantly with advancing age, especially in men
  • Gender: Men are more prone to urinary retention than women
  • Prostate problems: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common cause in older men
  • Neurological conditions: Diseases affecting the nervous system can interfere with bladder function
  • Medications: Certain drugs, particularly those with anticholinergic effects, can contribute to urinary retention
  • Surgery: Procedures involving the pelvic area or spine can sometimes lead to temporary or permanent urinary retention

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Urinary Retention

The symptoms of urinary retention can vary depending on whether it is acute or chronic:

Acute Urinary Retention Symptoms

  • Sudden inability to urinate
  • Severe lower abdominal pain
  • Bloating or swelling in the lower abdomen
  • Urgent need to urinate but inability to do so

Chronic Urinary Retention Symptoms

  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • Weak urine stream
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Urinary incontinence

How is urinary retention diagnosed? Healthcare professionals use a combination of methods to diagnose urinary retention:

  1. Medical history review
  2. Physical examination
  3. Postvoid residual urine measurement
  4. Laboratory tests (urinalysis, blood tests)
  5. Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT scan)
  6. Urodynamic tests
  7. Cystoscopy

Treatment Approaches for Urinary Retention

The treatment of urinary retention depends on its type (acute or chronic) and underlying cause. Common treatment options include:

Acute Urinary Retention Treatment

  • Catheterization: Immediate bladder drainage using a urinary catheter
  • Medications: Alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors for prostate-related retention
  • Surgical intervention: For severe cases or when other treatments fail

Chronic Urinary Retention Treatment

  • Intermittent catheterization
  • Medications to improve bladder function or reduce prostate size
  • Pelvic floor exercises
  • Surgical procedures (e.g., transurethral resection of the prostate for BPH)
  • Neuromodulation therapy for neurogenic bladder dysfunction

What is the most effective treatment for urinary retention? The most effective treatment varies depending on the individual case. For acute retention, immediate catheterization is often necessary. For chronic retention, a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and possibly surgical interventions may be recommended.

Complications Associated with Urinary Retention

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

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Bladder damage
  • Kidney damage or failure
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Sepsis (in severe cases)

Can urinary retention cause permanent damage? Yes, if not addressed promptly, chronic urinary retention can lead to permanent damage to the bladder muscles and kidneys. This underscores the importance of seeking medical attention when symptoms persist.

Prevention Strategies for Urinary Retention

While not all cases of urinary retention can be prevented, certain strategies may help reduce the risk:

  • Maintain a healthy prostate through regular check-ups and a balanced diet
  • Practice good bladder habits, such as urinating when the urge arises and not holding urine for extended periods
  • Stay hydrated but avoid excessive fluid intake, especially before bedtime
  • Strengthen pelvic floor muscles through Kegel exercises
  • Manage underlying health conditions that may contribute to urinary retention
  • Be aware of medication side effects and discuss concerns with healthcare providers

How can you improve bladder health naturally? Incorporating dietary changes, such as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying physically active can contribute to better bladder health.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Urinary Problems

Recognizing when to seek medical help is crucial for managing urinary retention effectively:

  • Immediate medical attention is required for acute urinary retention (complete inability to urinate)
  • Persistent difficulty urinating or feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Frequent urinary tract infections
  • Blood in urine
  • Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort related to urination

Should you go to the emergency room for urinary retention? Yes, if you experience a sudden inability to urinate accompanied by lower abdominal pain, you should seek emergency medical care immediately. Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.

Latest Research and Advancements in Urinary Retention Management

The field of urology continues to advance, bringing new hope for those suffering from urinary retention:

  • Minimally invasive surgical techniques: New procedures like UroLift and RezÅ«m are offering alternatives to traditional prostate surgeries for BPH-related retention
  • Gene therapy: Researchers are exploring genetic approaches to treat neurogenic bladder dysfunction
  • Stem cell therapy: Potential regenerative treatments for bladder muscle repair are under investigation
  • Improved catheter designs: Innovations in catheter technology aim to reduce infection risks and improve patient comfort
  • Neuromodulation advancements: Refined techniques for nerve stimulation show promise in managing certain types of urinary retention

What are the most promising new treatments for urinary retention? While still in various stages of research and development, gene therapy and stem cell treatments show particular promise for addressing the underlying causes of some forms of urinary retention, potentially offering long-term solutions rather than just symptom management.

The ongoing research in urinary retention management underscores the medical community’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and quality of life. As our understanding of the condition grows, so too does the potential for more effective, targeted treatments.

Urinary retention, while often overlooked, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. By understanding its causes, recognizing its symptoms, and seeking timely medical attention, many cases can be effectively managed or resolved. As research continues to advance, those affected by urinary retention can look forward to an expanding range of treatment options and improved outcomes.

Urinary Retention – NIDDK



View or Print All Sections

Urinary retention is a condition in which you cannot empty all the urine from your bladder. Urinary retention can be acute—a sudden inability to urinate, or chronic—a gradual inability to completely empty the bladder of urine.


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.

Health care professionals use your medical history, a physical exam, and tests to help find the cause of urinary retention. Tests include postvoid residual urine measurement, lab tests, imaging tests, urodynamic tests, and cystoscopy.


Treatment for urinary retention depends on the type of urinary retention you have—either acute or chronic—and the cause of your urinary retention. Treatments for urinary retention may include draining the bladder, medicines, medical procedures or devices, surgery, and self-care treatments.

You can’t always prevent urinary retention, but by staying in tune with your body and bathroom habits, taking medicine as prescribed, strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, and making good dietary choices, you can help keep your bladder as healthy as possible.


The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.


Related NIDDK Conditions & Diseases

  • Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence)
  • Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults
  • Constipation
  • Cystocele
  • Kidney Stones

Related Diagnostic Tests

  • Cystoscopy & Ureteroscopy
  • Urinary Tract Imaging
  • Urodynamic Testing

Related Anatomy

  • Your Kidneys & How They Work
  • Your Urinary Tract & How It Works



 


Next:
Definition & Facts




This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank
Steven A. Kaplan, M.D., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Definition & Facts of Urinary Retention

In this section:

  • What is urinary retention?
  • How common is urinary retention?
  • Who is more likely to develop urinary retention?
  • What are the complications of urinary retention?

What is urinary retention?

Urinary retention is a condition in which you are unable to empty all the urine from your bladder. Urinary retention is not a disease, but a condition that may be related to other health problems, such as prostate problems in men or a cystocele in women. Urinary retention can be acute—a sudden inability to urinate at all, or chronic—a gradual inability to empty the bladder.

Acute urinary retention

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. If you are suddenly unable to urinate, it’s important that you seek emergency medical treatment right away.

Chronic urinary retention

Chronic urinary retention develops over time. People with chronic urinary retention can urinate but cannot completely empty the urine from their bladders. Many people with chronic urinary retention do not know they have the condition because they may not experience any symptoms.

(Left) During normal urine flow, the bladder fills with urine and then empties the urine through the urethra. (Right) When the prostate is enlarged it may push against the urethra and restrict the flow of urine out of the bladder.

How common is urinary retention?

Acute urinary retention is common in older men, and the likelihood of experiencing acute urinary retention increases with age. Over a five-year period, approximately 1 in 10 men over the age of 70 and almost one in three men in their 80s will develop acute urinary retention.1

Acute urinary retention is much less common in women. Each year, about 3 in 100,000 women develop acute urinary retention.1 Acute urinary retention in children is rare.

Researchers aren’t sure how common chronic urinary retention is. However, researchers do know that chronic urinary retention affects older men more than any other group.

Who is more likely to develop urinary retention?

Urinary retention affects both men and women, but it occurs more often in men, especially as they get older. Men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged—are more likely to develop urinary retention. As the prostate enlarges, it pushes against the urethra, blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. BPH is a common prostate problem for men older than age 50.

What are the complications of urinary retention?

People who have urinary retention may have complications, including

  • Urinary tract infection. When your urinary tract is emptying completely, bacteria that normally enter your urinary tract are flushed out when you urinate. With urinary retention, your urine doesn’t completely flow out, which allows the normally harmless bacteria a chance to multiply and infect your urinary tract. Serious problems can occur if the infection spreads to your kidneys.
  • Bladder damage. If urinary retention is not treated, your bladder may become stretched too far or for long periods. When stretched too far or for too long, the muscles in your bladder may become damaged and no longer work correctly.
  • Kidney damage. Your urinary tract is designed to have the urine flow from the kidneys, through the ureters, to the bladder, and out the urethra. When you have urinary retention, you aren’t able to empty the urine from your bladder and the urine may back up into your kidneys. Your kidneys can become so full of urine that they swell and press on nearby organs. This pressure can damage your kidneys and in some cases may lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.
  • Urinary incontinence. When your bladder does not fully empty, it can lead to you leaking urine, called overflow incontinence.

Working with a health care professional to prevent and treat these complications is important for both the health of your urinary tract and your overall health.

Reference

Urological terms – Clinic of Urology №1

Dear customers!

We make every effort to ensure that you feel comfortable using the services of the clinic. Currently, the site is being set up and tested, during which technical failures are possible. At the moment, the doctor’s appointment schedule is not relevant. To clarify it and make an appointment, call us at +7 (8412) 22-12-01.
We apologize for the inconvenience! Clinic administration

Penza, st. Volodarskogo, 84A

+7 987-516-1201, 221201