The inability to pass urine, usually because the urethra is blocked or because the prostate gland is enlarged.
Slow, hesitant, weak, or incomplete emptying of urine from the bladder. The disorder can be caused by several different conditions, including partial or complete blockage of the urinary tract by a calculus (stone), injury to the urethra, an enlarged prostate gland, cancer of the prostate, a birth defect, an infection, bladder muscle weakness, or a tumor. Left untreated, the condition can cause urine to back up into the kidneys and severely damage them. An examination by a doctor and various tests, such as a urinalysis, X rays, or cystoscopy, are needed to establish the cause. Treatment depends on the cause.
The state in which the individual experiences incomplete emptying of the bladder. High urethral pressure inhibits voiding until increased abdominal pressure causes urine to be involuntarily lost, or high urethral pressure inhibits complete emptying of the bladder.
The incapacity to void the bladder or challenges in achieving this act constitute urinary retention. This condition can manifest as either complete, where voluntary urination is entirely hindered, or incomplete, wherein the bladder doesn’t fully empty.
Among males, factors contributing to urinary retention encompass conditions like phimosis (tight foreskin), urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra), prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland), presence of a bladder stone, as well as prostate enlargement or the existence of a prostate tumor. In females, causes consist of pressure exerted on the urethra by uterine fibroids or the expansion of a developing fetus within the uterus. In individuals of any gender, urinary retention could also arise due to the presence of a bladder tumor.
Urinary retention can also arise due to an impaired function of the nerve pathways that provide innervation to the bladder. This could stem from factors like general or spinal anesthesia, medications impacting bladder function, surgical procedures, nerve injuries, or ailments affecting the spinal cord.
Full urinary retention results in discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen (unless nerve pathways are impaired). The distended bladder can be palpated above the pubic bone. On the other hand, chronic or partial urinary retention might not manifest noticeable issues, and the individual may remain oblivious to the condition. Urinary retention has the potential to cause kidney damage and frequently leads to urinary tract infections.
The approach to managing this condition involves catheterization. Afterward, the root cause is examined. If there’s an obstruction, it’s typically treatable. In cases where nerve damage is the underlying issue, there might be a requirement for either permanent or intermittent catheterization.