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Sudden loss of the ability to urinate: Why does urinary retention make you so miserable?
Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder and its onset may be sudden or gradual. For those with a sudden onset, they may experience symptoms such as inability to urinate and lower abdominal pain, while those with a gradual onset may experience loss of bladder control, mild lower abdominal pain, and a weak urine stream.
Long-standing problems with urinary retention may put patients at risk for urinary tract infections.
Causes of urinary retention include urethral obstruction, nerve problems, certain medications, and weak bladder muscles. Urethral obstruction may be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urethral stricture, bladder stones, cystocele, constipation or tumors, while nerve problems may result from diabetes, trauma, spinal cord problems, stroke or heavy metal poisoning.
Many medications have also been associated with urinary retention, such as anticholinergics, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and certain narcotic analgesics. The diagnosis is usually based on the amount of urine in the bladder after urination. In cases of acute urinary retention, prompt medical intervention becomes crucial.
Visa and symptoms
The symptoms of urinary retention can be divided into sudden onset and gradual onset. Sudden attacks cause patients to feel an urgent need to urinate, but are unable to pass urine, and experience severe lower abdominal pain. Patients with a gradual onset may experience mild lower abdominal discomfort and restlessness. In addition, long-term urinary retention may cause patients to suffer from various complications, especially urinary tract infection.
Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Complications
If not treated promptly, acute urinary retention can lead to a number of serious complications, including bladder damage and chronic kidney failure. Patients may experience intense pain accompanied by severe sweating, chest pain, anxiety, and high blood pressure. In some cases, patients may experience a shock-like condition and require hospitalization for observation and treatment.
Causes
Urinary retention can have many causes, including problems with the bladder, prostate and urethra. Damage to the bladder, nerve dysfunction, and side effects from surgery may affect urination. The older you are, the higher the chance of developing BPH, which is also a common cause of urinary retention.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosing urinary retention generally requires a urinalysis to determine the type of urination abnormality. In cases of acute urinary retention, timely urethral catheterization, prostate stent placement or cystostomy are necessary. For long-term treatment, appropriate treatment options should be selected based on the specific circumstances.
Current medications for treating urinary retention can help reduce the size of the prostate, and patients can also find relief through intermittent self-catheterization.
EpidemiologyUrinary retention is common in older men, and the main cause is usually benign prostatic hyperplasia. The incidence rate of this group increases significantly with age. By the age of 70, nearly 10% of men will face urinary retention problems.
Among young men, acute prostatitis is the leading cause of urinary retention, a condition often triggered by sexual activity and which may include abdominal pain, penile discharge and fever.
Urinary retention is rare in women, occurring in about 1 case per 100,000 people per year, but can occur after surgery or childbirth. In most women, urinary retention is transient and usually resolves with prompt catheterization.
Faced with this sudden pain, have you realized the significant impact of urinary retention on your life?
