Urinary Retention

What Is Urinary Retention?

Urinary retention is the retention of urine in the bladder due to an inability to pass urine despite a strong urge to urinate. Urinary retention is an unpleasant condition for the patient as he experiences severe bladder pain, discomfort and sweating. It is distinguished in acute and chronic urinary retention. In the second case, a significant amount of urine remains in the bladder each time a voiding occurs, resulting in a large volume of urine accumulating in the bladder. Acute urinary retention occurs suddenly and requires immediate intervention as it is an emergency with serious consequences.

What Are the Causes of Urinary Retention?

The causes of urinary retention are varied and relate to obstruction of the flow of urine from the bladder to the urethra. Some of the main causes are urolithiasis due to consumption of certain drugs such as sympathomimetic/anticholinergic drugs. Urinary retention can also occur after surgery, due to urethral stricture, diseases of the central nervous system and peripheral nerves as well as various prostate diseases in men.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis is made by a urologist after examining the patient and his symptoms. Urinary retention can be treated by catheterization, intermittent catheterization, or transpubic catheterization when intermittent catheterization is not possible. At Traumacare you will find leading edge catheters, Foley & suprapubic catheters, urine collectors & breakthrough bladder lavage products that can be dispensed by EOPPY.