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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Retention
- Mayo Clinic: Prostate Gland Enlargement
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Your Urinary System and How it Works
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Reasons for Bladder Not Emptying
The bladder is a hollow organ that can comfortably hold about two cups of urine for approximately two to five hours, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Once the bladder fills to a comfortable limit, signals go to the brain to alert the body that the bladder is full and communicate the need to urinate. Once urination occurs, the bladder begins to fill again. At times, a failure in the signaling system prevents the bladder from releasing all of the urine, a condition known as urinary retention.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic bladder is a medical condition in which the muscles and nerves in the urinary system communicate improperly. The nerves that signal between the brain and bladder also function incorrectly. The result of the miscommunication is urine leakage and urinary retention. Treatment for the condition depends on the reason for the nerve damage and includes medications and a catheter to relieve the bladder. Conditions that may cause nerve damage to the bladder include multiple sclerosis, injury or trauma to the pelvis, diabetes and infections of the central nervous system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
- Neurogenic bladder is a medical condition in which the muscles and nerves in the urinary system communicate improperly.
Prostate Gland Enlargement
How to Irrigate or Flush a Catheter
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The prostate is a gland in men that sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that allows urine to travel from the bladder to the outside of the body. As a man ages, the prostate can increase in size. The enlargement may also be due to an inflammation of the prostate gland 1. This enlargement narrows the urethra, blocking urine flow. Treatments to decrease the enlargement include medications and surgical procedures to remove prostate tissue 1.
Blockage
The kidneys may form crystals and solid materials in urine, referred to as kidney stones. As the kidney stones pass through the urinary system, they may cause a blockage. The stones can become trapped in the ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder, or in the urethra. The resulting blockage can stop the flow of urine out of the body. Kidney stones may also cause extreme pain as they move through the body.
- The kidneys may form crystals and solid materials in urine, referred to as kidney stones.
Medications
What Causes Bladder Pressure & Discomfort?
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Some medications have side effects that can cause urinary retention. Antihistamines, which are used to treat allergies and dry mucous, can cause the bladder to retain urine. Certain medications have anticholinergic, or nervous system, side effects including constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention. These medications generally help treat conditions such as stomach cramping, urinary incontinence and muscle spasms in the body. Some antidepressant medications may also cause the bladder to hold urine.
- Some medications have side effects that can cause urinary retention.
- These medications generally help treat conditions such as stomach cramping, urinary incontinence and muscle spasms in the body.
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References
- Mayo Clinic: Prostate Gland Enlargement
- Sussman RD, Drain A, Brucker BM. Primary bladder neck obstruction. Rev Urol. 2019;21(2-3):53-62.
- Katsoufis CP. Clinical predictors of chronic kidney disease in congenital lower urinary tract obstruction. Pediatr Nephrol. 2019, June 13. doi.10.1007/s00467-019-04280-0
- Reddy SVK, Shaik AB. Non-invasive evaluation of bladder outlet obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a clinical correlation study. Arab J Urol. 2019;17(4):259-264. doi.10.1080/2090598X.2019.1660071
- Lin YH, Hou CP, Juang HH, et al. Association between bladder outlet obstruction and bladder cancer in patients with aging male. J Clin Med. 2019;8(10). doi.10.3390/jcm8101550
- Gravas S, Kyriazis I, Klausner AP. Lower urinary tract symptoms including bladder outlet obstruction: What's new in diagnostics?. Eur Urol Focus. 2018;4(1):14-16. doi.10.1016/j.euf.2018.04.004
- Vouri SM, Strope SA, Olsen MA, Xian H, Schootman M. Antimuscarinic use in men treated with bladder outlet obstruction medication therapy. Urology. 2018;122:76-82.doi.10.1016/j.urology.2018.08.039
- Sharifian H, Zargham M, Khorami MH, Mohamadi M, Mazdak H, Mozafarpour S. Internal urethrotomy in treatment of female with anatomical bladder outlet obstruction. Adv Biomed Res. 2019;8:36. doi:10.4103/abr.abr_200_18
- Veccia A, Antonelli A, Francavilla S, et al. Minimally invasive radical prostatectomy after previous bladder outlet surgery: A systematic review and pooled analysis of comparative studies. J Urol. 2019;202(3):511-517. doi.10.1097/JU.0000000000000312
Writer Bio
Abigail Adams began her freelance writing career in 2009, teaching others about medical conditions and promoting wellness by writing on online health and fitness publications. She is educated and licensed as a registered nurse, having received her degree from North Georgia College and State University.