Hey there, folks! Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are inside a doctor’s office, holding a pee cup for a lab test sample, but the pee just won’t come? We get that it’s a situation where you desperately wish for a solution but to no avail. You may wonder why you are unable to urinate despite multiple attempts. Don’t worry! Home remedies for urinary retention can help you there.
Let’s explore these remedies that might just be the ‘relief’ you are looking for to go with the flow.
Firstly, we should understand what urinary retention is.
Table of Contents
What is Urinary Retention and Its Types?
Urinary retention happens when you can’t empty your bladder completely. This condition can cause damage to your kidneys and bladder.
Moreover, this disruption results in persistent feelings of needing to urinate, difficulty initiating the process, a weak or interrupted urinary stream, and the uncomfortable sensation that the bladder is never fully emptied.
Urinary retention is classified into two types, mainly:
Acute Urinary Retention
This one hits you like a sudden rainstorm on a sunny day. Imagine feeling the urge to go, but your body decides to play hide and seek with your bladder control. Ouch!
This condition happens due to a sudden blockage of the urethra or a failure of the bladder muscles to contract. Common causes include prostate enlargement (in men), urinary tract infections, bladder stones, blood clots, constipation, and nerve problems.
The symptoms of acute urinary retention include severe lower abdominal pain, a sudden inability to urinate, a distended and tender bladder, and sometimes pain or discomfort in the lower back.
Chronic Urinary Retention
Think of chronic urinary retention as that stubborn stain that won’t go away. It’s a long-term issue where the bladder never fully empties. It’s like a constant ‘hold-up’ at the bladder station.
This situation develops gradually and can be due to long-term conditions that affect the bladder or urethra.
Conditions such as an enlarged prostate, pelvic organ prolapse, nerve damage (neuropathy), and certain medications can contribute to chronic retention.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Retention?
So, how do you know if you’re dealing with urinary retention? Keep an eye out for these signals:
- Frequent urge to pee
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Feeling like your bladder is never quite empty
- Dribbling after you’ve finished
Causes of Urinary Retention in Males
Urinary retention occurs in males and females, but the causes may vary due to the differences in anatomy and physiology.
Let’s have a look at what causes this discomfort in males:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
BPH is a common condition in aging men where the prostate gland enlarges, obstructing the urethra and causing difficulty in urination.
Symptoms include a weak urine stream, difficulty starting or stopping urination, frequent urination, and a feeling of incomplete emptying.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate gland can also lead to urinary retention if it obstructs the urethra, resulting in symptoms such as difficulty urinating and a weak stream.
Prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis, can cause pain and swelling, leading to urinary difficulties. Symptoms include pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, painful urination, and difficulty voiding.
Urethral Stricture
Narrowing of the urethra, often due to scar tissue, can impede the flow of urine, causing symptoms such as a weak stream, difficulty starting urination, and a sensation of incomplete emptying.
Neurogenic Bladder
Nerve damage due to conditions like diabetes, spinal cord injuries, or neurological disorders can affect bladder function, resulting in symptoms like loss of bladder control and difficulty initiating or stopping urination.
Bladder Stones
Stones in the bladder can obstruct the urethra and cause difficulty in emptying the bladder, leading to symptoms such as pain or discomfort during urination, frequent urination, and difficulty voiding.
Causes of Urinary Retention in Females
Let’s walk through the causes of urinary retention in females:
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Weakening of the pelvic muscles can lead to the descent of pelvic organs, including the bladder, causing obstruction. Symptoms include difficulty in emptying the bladder, a sensation of fullness, and discomfort in the pelvic region.
Urethral Diverticulum
A pouch or pocket that forms along the urethra can trap urine, leading to incomplete emptying. Symptoms include frequent urinary tract infections, pain during urination, and difficulty voiding.
Cystocele
The bladder may prolapse into the vaginal space, causing difficulty in bladder emptying. Symptoms include a bulge in the vagina, discomfort during urination, and incomplete emptying.
Neurological Disorders
Conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries can disrupt nerve signals affecting bladder function. It results in symptoms like loss of bladder control, and difficulty initiating or stopping urination.
Urethral Stricture
Similar to males, urethral stricture can occur in females, leading to urinary retention with symptoms such as a weak stream, difficulty starting urination, and a sensation of incomplete emptying.
Bladder Dysfunction
Disorders affecting the bladder muscles or nerves can result in difficulties in bladder emptying, leading to symptoms like urgency, frequency, and difficulty voiding.
Home Remedies for Urinary Retention
Let’s get to the good stuff – how to break free from this ‘urine-escapade.’
Stay Hydrated
This is one of the best home remedies for urinary retention because adequate hydration is crucial for a healthy urinary system. Drinking enough water helps flush out toxins and maintains the balance of fluids in your body.
Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily. Moreover, consider adding hydrating foods like watermelon and cucumber into your diet.
Take Warm Baths
Soothe pelvic muscles with warm baths.
Immerse yourself in a tub of comfortably warm water, adding a few drops of lavender oil for extra relaxation. The warmth can ease tension and reduce discomfort associated with urinary retention.
Try Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthen your pelvic muscles with Kegel exercises. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which can improve bladder control.
Practice Kegels regularly to enhance muscle tone and facilitate more effective bladder emptying.
Suggested Read: How to Strengthen Your Muscles Through Pelvic Floor Exercises?
Make Some Dietary Changes
Adjust your diet to support a healthy urinary system. Avoid bladder irritants like caffeine, spicy foods, and acidic fruits, as these can exacerbate symptoms.
Opt for a diet rich in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to promote overall bladder health.
Try Hot Compress
Apply a hot compress to your lower abdomen to alleviate tension. Use a warm (not hot) compress to relax the muscles in the pelvic area.
The heat can promote improved urine flow and relieve discomfort associated with urinary retention.
Make Some Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have diuretic properties, and you can benefit from these. Dandelion and parsley teas are known for their potential to increase urine production.
Enjoy a cup of these teas to support bladder function and alleviate symptoms of urinary retention.
Eat Magnesium-Rich Foods
Add magnesium-rich foods to your diet.
Foods like leafy greens, nuts, and seeds contain magnesium, contributing to muscle relaxation. Adequate magnesium intake may help ease tension in the bladder muscles, promoting smoother function.
Acupuncture May Help
Consider acupuncture as an alternative therapy.
This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to promote balance and energy flow. Some individuals may find relief from urinary issues through acupuncture.
Do Bladder Training
Train your bladder by gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits. This method involves developing a schedule for voiding and slowly extending the time between each visit.
Bladder training can help retrain the muscles and improve overall bladder control.
Never Skip Yoga and Meditation
These practices can reduce stress and tension, promoting overall well-being, including a healthier urinary system. Incorporate mindfulness techniques to create a calm and balanced environment.
General Tips to Prevent Urinary Retention
Prevention is the best medicine, they say. Try these general tips to prevent urinary retention:
- Regular Bathroom Breaks: Don’t treat your bladder like a procrastinating student. Give it breaks, and it’ll thank you.
- Watch Your Diet: Certain foods and drinks can be bladder irritants. Keep an eye on spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol – they might be causing more trouble than you realize.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Extra pounds can contribute to urinary retention. Shedding some weight can be like opening up lanes in your bladder highway.
When Should You See a Urologist?
Dealing with urinary retention may feel like a tricky puzzle, but with the right ‘keys,’ you can unlock relief.
Remember, these home remedies and prevention tips are like your bladder’s best friends. So, next time you’re facing a urinary roadblock, just remember to ‘pee’ calmly and take things one ‘drop’ at a time!
However, if urinary retention isn’t going away even after home remedies, consult a qualified urologist to know what’s going on.
