
Urinary Retention
Urinary Retention
Treatment and Care Options
Treatment depends entirely on the cause and severity of the retention. Doctors will first assess the degree of blockage. Treatment often involves specialized medical care, such as catheterization (placing a temporary tube to drain the bladder) or medicines to relax muscles. If the cause is chronic, managing the underlying issue is key. Supportive care includes maintaining good hydration, following dietary restrictions if advised, and performing prescribed physical therapy if nerve damage is suspected. Never wait for symptoms to worsen; seek immediate care if you cannot urinate.
What Causes this Condition?
Urinary retention occurs when urine cannot flow out of the bladder normally. This blockage can be caused by issues with the bladder itself, the urethra (the tube urine passes through), or the nerves controlling bladder function.
- Enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH), common in men
- Bladder or urethra obstructions due to stones or narrow passages
- Nerve damage or weakness that affects bladder signaling
- Kidney stones or urinary tract infections