What is considered 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.
What can cause acute urinary retention?
What causes urinary retention?
- enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- bladder outlet obstruction, such as urethral stricture or scar tissue in the bladder neck.
- pelvic organ prolapse, including cystocele and rectocele.
- urinary tract stones, also called calculi.
- constipation.
What are the symptoms of acute urinary retention?
The symptoms of acute urinary retention may include being unable to pass any urine despite a strong urge to pass urine. There is often also pain and bloating of the lower tummy (abdomen). You should see your GP immediately if you are completely unable to pass any urine or if you have bad pain in your lower abdomen.
Is acute urinary retention an emergency?
People with acute urinary retention cannot urinate at all, even though they have a full bladder. Acute urinary retention, a potentially life-threatening medical condition, requires immediate emergency treatment. Acute urinary retention can cause great discomfort or pain.
What is the best treatment for urinary retention?
Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also called Kegel exercises, help the nerves and muscles that you use to empty your bladder work better. Physical therapy can help you gain control over your urinary retention symptoms.
Does drinking water help with urinary retention?
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.
Can urine retention be cured?
Urinary retention is treatable, and there is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. A doctor can often diagnose the problem. However, in some cases, a person may need a referral to a urologist, proctologist, or pelvic floor specialist for further testing and treatment.
What drugs cause urinary retention?
Pharmacologic Agents Associated with Urinary Retention
| Class | Drugs |
|---|---|
| Antipsychotics | Chlorpromazine (Thorazine*); fluphenazine (Prolixin*); haloperidol (Haldol); prochlorperazine (Compazine*); thioridazine (Mellaril*); thiothixene (Navane) |
| Hormonal agents | Estrogen; progesterone; testosterone |
What is the best medication for urinary retention?
A combination of a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor and an alpha-blocker, such as finasteride and doxazosin or dutasteride and tamsulosin, may work better than an individual medicine alone. Antibiotics link treat infections that may cause urinary retention, such as urinary tract infections and prostatitis.