Summary about Disease
Acute urinary retention is the sudden and often painful inability to pass urine. It's a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to drain the bladder and prevent complications. Unlike chronic urinary retention, which develops gradually, acute retention occurs abruptly.
Symptoms
Sudden inability to urinate.
Severe lower abdominal pain and distension.
Urgency to urinate but inability to do so.
Feeling of fullness or pressure in the bladder.
Restlessness and agitation.
Causes
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Enlarged prostate in men.
Urethral stricture: Narrowing of the urethra.
Blood clots in the bladder: Can obstruct the flow of urine.
Medications: Certain drugs (anticholinergics, antihistamines, opioids) can impair bladder function.
Nerve damage: Spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis.
Constipation: Severe constipation can put pressure on the bladder and urethra.
Surgery: Postoperative complications.
Infection or inflammation: Infections of the prostate or urinary tract.
Medicine Used
Alpha-blockers: Medications such as Tamsulosin or Alfuzosin, to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck (primarily for BPH-related retention).
Analgesics: Pain relievers to manage discomfort.
Antibiotics: if the underlying cause is an infection.
Catheterization Medications: Local anesthetic to numb the area prior to catheter insertion
Is Communicable
No, acute urinary retention is not a communicable disease. It is a condition caused by underlying medical issues, obstruction, or nerve damage, not by infectious agents.
Precautions
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden inability to urinate.
Manage underlying conditions (e.g., BPH, constipation) as directed by your doctor.
Review medications with your doctor to identify potential urinary retention side effects.
Maintain adequate hydration.
Follow post-operative instructions carefully.
How long does an outbreak last?
Acute urinary retention is not an "outbreak." It is an acute condition. The duration of the retention itself lasts until the bladder is drained, typically by catheterization. The long-term resolution depends on treating the underlying cause.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical Exam: Assessing abdominal distension and tenderness.
Post-void residual volume (PVR) measurement: Using ultrasound or catheterization to determine the amount of urine left in the bladder after attempted urination.
Urinalysis: To check for infection.
Urine culture: If infection is suspected.
Blood tests: To assess kidney function.
Imaging studies: Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be used to identify the cause of obstruction or nerve damage.
Cystoscopy: To visualize the urethra and bladder.
Timeline of Symptoms
Acute urinary retention presents with a sudden onset of symptoms.
Onset: Abrupt inability to urinate.
Initial Phase: Rapidly increasing abdominal pain and distension.
Progression: Intensifying urgency and discomfort if untreated.
Resolution: Symptoms relieved upon bladder drainage (typically by catheterization).
Important Considerations
Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency; prompt treatment is crucial.
Long-term management focuses on addressing the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.
Self-treatment is not advisable; always seek professional medical help.
Catheterization is a temporary solution; further investigation is needed to determine the root cause.