Imagine you’re going about your day, feeling like a superstar with a to-do list in hand, ready to conquer the world. But wait, hold everything! Your bladder decides to play a little game of hide-and-seek.
It’s like having a stubborn guest who overstays, leaving you feeling a bit peeved (pun intended).
My friends! urinary retention is the silent ninja of bladder disorders, sneaking up on you and causing destruction when you least expect it. It doesn’t make distinctions based on gender. Although it might not be as common in women as it is in our male counterparts, it can nonetheless disrupt our lives with ninja-like precision when it does.
Let’s have a look at what this actually is, what are its symptoms, and which urinary retention treatment can help you out.
Table of Contents
What is Urinary Retention?
When you urinate, your bladder may not empty completely or at all, a condition known as urinary retention results.
Urine is kept in your bladder like it is in a tank. Waste that your kidneys have removed from your blood is what makes up urine. After being filtered, urine travels to your bladder where it waits until it is ready to exit the body through the urethra.
Urinary retention may be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) in nature. Acute indicates a sudden onset and potential severity. On the other hand, urinary retention that is chronic indicates a prolonged duration of the illness.
Causes of urinary retention
Before knowing about urinary retention treatment, there are a number of reasons that can be held responsible for causing urinary retention in females. These can be,
Hormonal Changes: Hormones, which are like chemical messengers in our bodies, can influence bladder function. During menopause, when hormone levels change, it can sometimes lead to problems with bladder control and retention.
Weak Muscles: The muscles that assist in bladder control may weaken, usually as a result of childbirth or aging. It gets more difficult to completely empty the bladder when these muscles weaken.
Nerve Problems: The brain and the bladder are connected by a sophisticated neural network in our bodies. Retention can occur if these nerves are affected, which can happen for a variety of reasons, including multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
Bladder Problems: Before going to urinary retention treatment, sometimes it is important to know the bladder itself can cause issues. Conditions like bladder stones (hard deposits in the bladder), bladder tumors, or when the bladder isn’t in the right position (called cystocele) can make it difficult for the bladder to empty properly.
Medications: Certain medications can interfere with bladder function and cause urinary retention. For example, some drugs used for allergies, depression, or high blood pressure can affect how well the bladder empties.
What are common Urinary retention symptoms?
Urinary retention can be really tricky to understand, but it does come with its own warning signs. Some of the common symptoms include
Weak Urine flow: Imagine yourself waiting for that pleasant rush of a strong urine stream as you stand in front of the toilet without knowing urinary retention treatment. Unfortunately, urine retention makes that stream weak and feeble, more like a frightened trickle than a strong torrent.
Urgency and Straining: The urge to go strikes suddenly and fiercely. You may experience a sense of urgency to urinate, but when you make it to the bathroom, you find yourself struggling and straining to get the flow started. It’s like coaxing a reluctant friend to spill the tea!
Incomplete Emptying: One of the earliest symptoms of urine retention is the sensation that your bladder is never quite empty, even after using the restroom. It feels like your bladder is holding onto something that it won’t let go of, giving you the constant urge to urinate.
Urine Leakage: When you believe you are finished, a few sly drips manage to escape, resulting in post-void dribbling. It’s like your bladder pulling a prank on you to show you that it still has some tricks up its sleeve.
Suggested Read: Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Retention Treatment
Here is a range of treatments for urinary retention that can help you out immensely. Let’s have a look at the home remedies, exercises, and medication that can make a difference.
Home Remedies for Urinary Retention
Here are some of the home remedies that can help:
Warm Baths
Soaking in a warm bath or applying a warm compress to the lower abdomen may help relax the muscles and potentially stimulate bladder emptying.
Double Voiding
Dr. Zubair Ahmed Cheema who is one of the top urologists in Pakistan says that, after emptying your bladder, wait a few moments and then try to urinate again. This technique called double voiding, can help ensure more complete emptying of the bladder.
Fluid Management
As a urinary retention treatment, maintain a healthy fluid intake and schedule regular bathroom breaks to avoid overfilling the bladder. However, be cautious about excessive fluid restriction, as it can lead to dehydration.
Exercises for Urinary Retention
There are some exercises that can really help you with urinary retention. Let’s have a look at these:
Bladder Training
Bladder training involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to help retrain your bladder to hold urine for longer periods. Start by scheduling bathroom breaks at specific intervals and gradually lengthen the time between them.
Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises can help improve bladder control by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. To perform Kegels, clench the muscles that stop urine flow, hold for a short period of time, and then relax. Throughout the day, perform this exercise multiple times.
Medications for Urinary Retention
Here are some of the medicines that can help with urinary retention treatment.
Alpha-Blockers
These drugs ease the urethral muscles, making it simpler to urinate. In cases of urinary retention brought on by enlargement of the prostate or dysfunctional muscles, they can aid in enhancing urine flow.
Anticholinergics
Experts at Avicenna Hospital say that these drugs can ease bladder spasms by calming the bladder’s muscles. For ailments like hyperactive bladder, which occasionally causes urine retention, they may be recommended.
Mirabegron
This medication helps relax the bladder muscles, increasing the bladder’s capacity and improving urine flow. It can be prescribed for certain cases of urinary retention or overactive bladder.
Suggested Read: Blood in urine
When to Visit a Urologist
Sometimes, more intrusive procedures like catheterization or surgery may be required. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider and talk to them about any worries or inquiries you may have regarding your urinary retention treatment options. In order to book an appointment with the best urologist near you, Healthwire is there to help.
