The inability to empty the bladder completely is called urinary retention. Severe cases of urinary retention have progressed to not being able to urinate at all.
Chronic urinary retention is not being able to release all the urine out of the bladder. It is a problem that develops over months or years and is usually not painful. Older men are more prone to developing chronic urinary retention, but women can also have these symptoms.
Acute urinary retention is a serious condition that requires immediate medical assessment and treatment. With acute urinary retention, the patient is incapable of urinating at all. This is a very painful condition, especially when the bladder is full.
There are many different causes of urinary retention, including obstruction or blockage of the urethra, infection or inflammation, medication side effects, nerve problems, weakened bladder muscles, pre-operative or post-operative medications, damage to pelvic organs during surgery, or damage caused by catheters.
When looking for the cause of urinary retention, men will be checked for an enlarged prostate. The prostate gland is wrapped around the urethra, and enlargement of that gland can restrict the flow of urine.
It may also be necessary to order other tests and procedures, such as a urinalysis, ultrasound, cystoscopy, CT scan, EMG, or MRI.
Once the cause is found, an appropriate treatment plan will be developed. Call 208-733-3404 for an appointment at Magic Valley Urology for your urinary retention concerns.