Bladder retention, also known as urinary retention, is a secondary medical condition caused by some other illness, such as an enlarged prostate or kidney stones. People suffering from bladder retention will be unable to completely empty their bladder, no matter how hard they try. There are several medical interventions that can be used to remedy this problem. Catheters or prostate shrinking medication may be needed. According to Drugs.com, there are medications that can be given to treat the symptoms. The only way to help heal the problem of urinary retention, however, is to treat the underlying cause.
Inability to Completely Empty Bladder
A person suffering from bladder retention will be unable to completely void the bladder. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that although the person knows the bladder is full, the brain may not send the signal to release the urine. The muscle that holds the urine in the bladder will be unable to relax completely, causing problems urinating.
Abdominal Pain
The New York Times Health Guide says a urethral stricture could cause abdominal pain and could lead to urinary retention. A urethral stricture can be anything that blocks the urethra and prevents the flow of urine. These problems can occur due to scar tissue, surgery or injury to the bladder. It is also a possibility that a tumor could cause this problem to occur. When there is a urethral stricture present, bladder retention is one of the complications. To ease the abdominal pain, one could use a heating pad under the belly button.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are common in people who suffer from bladder retention. The bladder stores the liquid waste from the body, and this waste is full of bacteria. When the urine is allowed to stay in the bladder for longer periods of time than normal, this bacteria is able to breed and multiply, causing infection. Doctors give the advice to void the bladder as often as possible to avoid urinary tract infections, but this isn’t possible for those who suffer from bladder retention. A bladder infection could spread to the kidneys if left untreated. Burning urination and low grade fever, as well as back pain, are symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Back Pain
Back pain with urinary retention is due to the increase in bacteria in the urinary system. This could signify a kidney infection or kidney stones. The back pain can be eased using a heating pad or by soaking in a tub of warm water. If the back pain is persistent or seems to worsen, a trip to the doctor is necessary. Antibiotics will be able to clear up any infection that may be present.
