1. I Really Have to Pee!
Urinary retention can be acute or chronic, and each type has differing symptoms. Acute urinary retention usually comes with pain in the pelvis along with a strong urge to urinate. Chronic urinary retention may come with the strong urge to urinate but without the pain. Additionally, both chronic and acute cases of urinary retention may cause the patent to leak a small amount of urine, but not enough to relieve the other symptoms. Chronic cases, however, may have no symptoms at all.
2. The Infection Connection
When symptoms like fever, back pain and a burning feeling while urinating come with urinary retention, your doctor will most likely want to do a urinalysis. These are all symptoms of a urinary tract infection, or UTI, and if left untreated, could lead to kidney damage. The most popular course of treatment when dealing with urinary retention due to UTI symptoms is antibiotic therapy, but be sure to watch for yeast infection symptoms due to the antibiotics.
3. Draining the Bladder
Any case of acute urinary retention needs immediate medical treatment. If you don't get the urine drained out of the bladder, you may end up damaging the bladder, ureters or, most alarming, the kidneys. Your kidneys control your blood pressure, so if they suffer damage, you may need medicine, or even dialysis. Most likely the emergency medical staff will put a catheter, which is a thin flexible tube, into your bladder to drain it. This will relive the symptoms, at least until your bladder fills again.
4. It May Require a Closer Look
Your doctor may prescribe certain tests to rule out serious conditions, such as prostate cancer, that might be causing the urinary retention. These may include blood tests to look for PSA, white blood cell counts to look for infection and tests to check your electrolyte balance. The doctor may also need a urine sample, which he may take directly from the catheter, to send out for urinalysis. This will show if you have UTI, and it may also reveal an increase in calcium in your urine, which may be a sign you have kidney stones.
5. Advanced Technology Lends a Helping Hand
If referred to a urologist, you may find yourself on the CT table getting imaging of your urinary tract for a better look. They may also use MRI or other imaging technology, such as a VCUG (an x-ray of your bladder after a catheter has placed some dye in it). Another test is the cystoscopy, in which a thin flexible camera is inserted into the urethra, and the urethra, along with your bladder and prostate, are inspected for anything that can cause urinary retention.
