Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for urinary retention

by Nolan Herman Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also called Kegel exercises, help the nerves and muscles that you use to empty your bladder work better. Physical therapy can help you gain control over your urinary retention symptoms.

What medication is used to treat urinary retention?

Feb 02, 2022 · Medical Procedures And Devices cystoscopy using a cystoscope to look inside the urethra and bladder to find and remove blockages such as urinary tract... laser therapy therapy that uses a strong beam of light to treat an area of enlarged prostate tissue by breaking up the... prostatic urethral lift, ...

When to straight Cath for urinary retention?

Oct 05, 2021 · Chronic Catheterization. Catheters are not typically a long-term solution. Using them frequently can cause complications like... Urethral dilation and stents. The urethra can be safely widened (dilated) by inserting small tubes into your urethra... Cystoscope. This can help a doctor find any ...

What medications can cause urinary retention?

Treatment for urinary retention depends on the type of urinary retention you have—either acute or chronic—and the cause of your urinary retention. Treatments for urinary retention may include draining the bladder, medicines, medical procedures or devices, surgery, and self-care treatments. Prevention

How do you treat urinary retention?

Jul 23, 2018 · Urinary retention home remedies and more Prostate medications. A common cause of urinary retention, specifically in men, is prostate enlargement. ... These... Pain relievers. Bladder retention can also be caused by bladder infections or swelling. As a result, you may experience... Peppermint oil. ...

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How do doctors treat urinary retention?

Treatment for Urinary Retention For acute urinary retention, your doctor will place a catheter into your urethra to drain the bladder. Treatment for chronic urinary retention will depend on the root cause of the issue.

What is the best medication for urinary retention?

The following medications relax the muscles of the bladder outlet and prostate to help relieve blockage:alfuzosin (Uroxatral)doxazosin (Cardura)silodosin (Rapaflo)tadalafil (Cialis)tamsulosin (Flomax)terazosin (Hytrin)

Does urinary retention go away?

Urinary retention is treatable, and there is no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. A doctor can often diagnose the problem. However, in some cases, a person may need a referral to a urologist, proctologist, or pelvic floor specialist for further testing and treatment.Jan 6, 2020

How is chronic urinary retention treated?

Treatment of urinary retention. Many treatments are available for urinary retention, including medication, devices, procedures and surgery. Treatment will depend on the cause and the disease specifics. For acute urinary retention, medical providers will use a catheter to drain the bladder.

Does drinking water help urinary retention?

In turn, the kidneys will only be able to make highly concentrated urine that irritates the bladder. Therefore, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the essential pieces of any treatment plan for urinary retention.Sep 15, 2021

What to do if you can't urinate?

If you do have to force yourself, here are 10 strategies that may work:Run the water. Turn on the faucet in your sink. ... Rinse your perineum. ... Hold your hands in warm or cold water. ... Go for a walk. ... Sniff peppermint oil. ... Bend forward. ... Try the Valsalva maneuver. ... Try the subrapubic tap.More items...

What home remedy stops urine?

Drink plenty of fluids. Hydration status has been linked to the risk of urinary tract infection . ... Increase vitamin C intake. ... Drink unsweetened cranberry juice. ... Take probiotics. ... Practice healthy hygiene habits. ... Try these natural supplements.

How do I empty my bladder?

1:377:29How to Empty Your Bladder and Overcome Incomplete ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou also to relax your pelvic floor and allow your body to empty the urine. So in that leaningMoreYou also to relax your pelvic floor and allow your body to empty the urine. So in that leaning forward position keep the normal breath that you have.

What happens if urinary retention is not treated?

If urinary retention is not treated, your bladder may become stretched too far or for long periods. When stretched too far or for too long, the muscles in your bladder may become damaged and no longer work correctly. Kidney damage.

What is the food can help to cure urine retention?

Bananas: Bananas are great as snacks and may also be used as toppings for cereals or in smoothies. Potatoes: Any type of potatoes are good for bladder health. Nuts: Almonds, cashews and peanuts are bladder friendly. They are also healthy snacks and rich in protein.Sep 30, 2020

What is urinary retention?

Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder of urine. 1 Retention can be complete or partial and acute or chronic. The International Continence Society defined the chronic retention of urine as a nonpainful bladder that remains palpable after voiding. 2 In research settings, chronic urinary retention (CUR) typically describes a persistent inability to completely empty the bladder despite maintaining an ability to urinate, which results in elevated postvoid residual (PVR) urine volumes. There appears to be little standardization in the duration or PVR volume necessary for diagnosis and treatment of CUR. Research studies often use PVR volume greater than 300 ml to diagnose CUR; others have used 100 ml, 400 ml, and 500 ml. 1

What is EPC review?

For all Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) reviews, Key Questions were reviewed and refined as needed by the EPC with input from Key Informants and the Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to assure that the questions are specific and explicit about what information is being reviewed. In addition, the Key Questions were posted for public comment and finalized by the EPC after review of the comments.

What are the characteristics of a study that may affect its applicability?

Study characteristics that may affect applicability include, but are not limited to, the specific CUR etiology, narrow eligibility criteria, and patient and intervention characteristics different than those described by population studies of chronic urinary retention. 14

What are the four domains of evidence?

The overall strength of evidence for select clinical outcomes (acute urinary retention, urinary tract infection, trial without catheterization, need for surgical intervention, and clinically minimum difference in urinary symptom or Quality of Life Scale scores) within each comparison will be evaluated based on four required domains: (1) study limitations (internal validity); (2) directness (single, direct link between the intervention and outcome); (3) consistency (similarity of effect direction and size); and (4) precision (degree of certainty around an estimate). 13 A fifth domain, reporting bias, will be assessed when the strength of evidence is moderate or high based on the first four domains. 13 Risk of bias will be rated as low, medium, or high according to study design and conduct. Consistency will be rated as consistent, inconsistent, or unknown/not applicable (e.g., single study). Directness will be rated as either direct or indirect. Precision will be rated as precise or imprecise. Other factors that may be considered in assessing strength of evidence include dose-response relationship, the presence of confounders, and strength of association. Based on these factors, the overall evidence for each outcome will be rated as: 13

How much must an EPC team disclose?

EPC core team members must disclose any financial conflicts of interest greater than $1,000 and any other relevant business or professional conflicts of interest. Related financial conflicts of interest which cumulatively total greater than $1,000 will usually disqualify EPC core team investigators.

What is a key informant?

Key Informants are the end-users of research, including patients and caregivers, practicing clinicians, relevant professional and consumer organizations, purchasers of health care, and others with experience in making health care decisions .

What is technical expert?

Technical Experts comprise a multidisciplinary group of clinical, content, and methodological experts who provide input in defining populations, interventions, comparisons, or outcomes, as well as identifying particular studies or databases to search.

What causes urinary retention?

Urinary retention can happen for several different reasons. These causes can include: 1 A blockage to the way urine leaves your body. 2 Medications you’re taking for other conditions. 3 Nerve issues that interrupt the way your brain and urinary system communicate. 4 Infections and swelling that prevent urine from leaving your body. 5 Complications and side effects of medications given to you for a surgical procedure.

What medications cause urinary retention?

Drugs like antihistamines (Benadryl®), antispasmodics (like Detrol®), opiates (like Vicodin®) and tricyclic antidepressants (like Elavil®) can change the way the bladder muscle works.

Why does my bladder keep retaining urine?

The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body. In men, a blockage can be caused when the prostate gland gets so big that it presses on the urethra.

What is urine made of?

Urine is made up of waste that’s filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. Once filtered, the urine moves to your bladder where it waits till it’s time to move through the urethra and out of the body. When you have urinary retention, it can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term).

Why does my prostate swell?

Infections and swelling. In men, an infection of the prostate can cause it to swell. This causes it to press on the urethra to block the flow of urine. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause swelling of the urethra or weakness of the bladder, both of which can cause urinary retention.

Can surgery cause urinary retention?

Surgery. Medicine given before and during surgery to make you sleepy may cause urinary retention right after surgery. Procedures such as hip replacement, spine surgery, rectal surgery, surgery for women’s pelvic issues, and surgery to remove hemorrhoids can cause the problem afterward.

What is a thin tube called?

If you have had a thin tube called a catheter in the past, you may be at greater risk for this condition. Your risk is also higher if your healthcare provider has used any other special device on you, such as an ureteroscope or cystoscope (these are telescopes with cameras that look in the urinary tract).

What is the best treatment for urinary retention?

There are several medications that your doctor might prescribe to help your urinary retention: antibiotics or other medications for urinary tract infection, prostatitis, or cystitis. medications that make your urethral sphincter and prostate relax so urine can flow through the urethra better.

What causes urinary retention?

Infection and Inflammation. An infection in any part of your lower urinary tract can cause urinary retention. You can develop an infection or inflammation in your bladder ( cystitis) or your urethra ( urethritis ). Prostatitis, or an infection of your prostate, can obstruct the urethra.

What is it called when your bladder doesn't empty?

Urinary retention is a condition in which your bladder doesn’t empty completely even if it’s full and you often feel like you really have to urinate. There are two forms of urinary retention — acute and chronic.

How common is urinary retention in men?

in men than women. The incidence in men between the ages of 40 and 83 is estimated to be 4.5 to 6.8 per 1,000 men every year.

What is the lower urinary tract made of?

Your lower urinary tract is made up of your bladder, which stores urine, and your urethra, which is a tube between your bladder and the outside of your body. In men, the prostate is also part of this system. There are two sets of muscles called sphincters.

How many times do you have to pee a day?

You feel like you have to urinate frequently, often eight or more times a day. It’s hard to start your urine stream. Your urine stream is weak or start and stops. You feel like you need to urinate again right after you finish urinating. You have to get up several times during the night to urinate.

Can you have urinary retention after a spinal surgery?

Often after having surgery, especially joint replacement or spinal surgery, you may experience urinary retention temporarily. One recent study showed that people undergoing joint replacement are 1.5 times more likely to have urinary retention than after other types of surgery. Having high blood pressure or diabetes appears to increase this risk. Up to 60 percent of people can experience this problem after spinal surgery.

What is urinary retention?

Definition & Facts. Urinary retention is a condition in which you cannot empty all the urine from your bladder. Urinary retention can be acute—a sudden inability to urinate, or chronic—a gradual inability to completely empty the bladder of urine.

What tests are used to determine the cause of urinary retention?

Tests include postvoid residual urine measurement, lab tests, imaging tests, urodynamic tests, and cystoscopy.

Can you prevent urinary retention?

You can’t always prevent urinary retention, but by staying in tune with your body and bathroom habits, taking medicine as prescribed, strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, and making good dietary choices, you can help keep your bladder as healthy as possible.

What is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases?

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

Can urinary retention cause abdominal pain?

The symptoms of urinary retention can range from severe abdominal pain and the inability to urinate, to few or no symptoms at all. Urinary retention results from either a blockage that partially or fully prevents the flow of urine, or your bladder not being able to maintain a strong enough force to expel all the urine.

What is the best treatment for urinary retention?

For that reason, a popular form of urinary retention treatment is prostate medications such as: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) These medications can stop the growth of the prostate, or shrink it, along with relieving urinary retention symptoms.

What is urinary retention?

Urinary retention is the inability to fully empty your bladder. While urinary retention can affect anyone, older men are more susceptible. There are two main types of bladder retention: Acute urinary retention occurs suddenly, lasting only for a short time.

How to treat postpartum urinary retention?

In 2018 clinical research, researchers are using peppermint oil to treat postpartum urinary retention in women. To encourage urination, place a few drops of peppermint oil into the toilet water. The vapor from the oil will contact the perineum to increase urine flow.

Can you drink dandelion tea?

Because of its anti-inflammatory abilities, it’s also been used to treat bladder inflammation and retention. For use, dandelion can be consumed as a tea. You can find this herbal tea in local grocery stores. Drink the tea twice a day for results.

What is the best medication for prostate cancer?

5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) These medications can stop the growth of the prostate, or shrink it, along with relieving urinary retention symptoms. Prostate medications can also relax your bladder muscles to encourage proper flow.

Is herbal medicine FDA approved?

Herbal and other home remedies are often not monitored by the FDA for quality, purity, and safety. Before pursuing treatment options or incorporating natural remedies into your treatment plan, discuss your options with your doctor. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018.

What is the best medicine for cramps?

Your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for temporary relief.

How to treat urinary retention?

Depending on the severity, some cases of chronic urinary retention can be treated with behavior modification and lifestyle changes. Catheterization is still commonly used to help relieve pain associated with a full bladder and for the duration of your treatment plan. Some other treatment options for chronic urinary retention include: 1 Urethral Dilation and Stents – this is done to help widen the urethra so that urine can flow easily from the bladder outside of the body. 2 To do this, your doctor will insert tubes of increasing width into your urethra to slowly open and stretch the stricture. 2 This procedure can also be done using a balloon or a stent. 2 Cystoscope – a cystoscope is a lighted, flexible tubular scope that can be inserted through the urethra up into the bladder to find or remove any stones or objects that may be causing urinary retention. 2 3 Medication – there are a number of different medications that can help relieve urinary retention and increase muscle relaxation. 2 If medications are causing your urinary retention, your doctor will work with you to find an alternative that won’t cause retention issues. 4 Surgery – in severe cases that don’t respond to other treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Many urinary retention surgeries are outpatient procedures and non-invasive, so you’ll have a fast recover with minimal down time. 2

How does urinary retention work?

To better understand urinary retention, you need to understand how the urinary tract system works. The bladder is part of the lower urinary tract and is where your urine is stored. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out of your body. You have two sets of muscles called sphincters that help your bladder contract and expand to control the voluntary output of urine. Your internal sphincters are involuntary muscles located where your urethra connects to the bladder and the external sphincter is voluntary and works as a valve that opens and closes to control when urine can leave the bladder. 2 In males, the prostate is also closely interconnected with the lower urinary tract system.

What does it mean when your bladder is empty?

As we mentioned, urinary retention is when your bladder doesn’t fully empty while using the restroom, even if it’s still full. Although you will still feel the need to urinate, you can’t empty your bladder. Urinary retention comes in two forms, acute and chronic. Acute urinary retention (AUR) is when it happens suddenly.

Can a urinary obstruction cause urinary retention?

In general, any obstruction that disrupts your flow of urine can lead to either acute or chronic urinary retention. If the obstruction is sudden, AUR occurs. If the obstruction slowly grows to create a progressive blockage, CUR occurs.

Can urinary retention be temporary?

Depending on the type of surgery you undergo, urinary retention may be a temporary condition that occurs during recovery. This is most common in people who undergo some sort of spinal surgery.

What is the function of the internal sphincter?

Your internal sphincters are involuntary muscles located where your urethra connects to the bladder and the external sphincter is voluntary and works as a valve that opens and closes to control when urine can leave the bladder. 2 In males, the prostate is also closely interconnected with the lower urinary tract system.

Is urinary retention dangerous?

However, over time, chronic urinary retention can also become dangerous and can result in serious complications. Since chronic urinary retention happens gradually, the symptoms are often less intense and can easily be mistaken for other urologic conditions. Symptoms of chronic urinary retention include: 2.

What is the best way to get rid of urine retention?

1. Radish Juice . A home remedy for urine retention, which might surprise you, is radish juice. Radish juice has both anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. It is an effective diuretic which can also help get rid of the burning associated with kidney stones.

What is the best way to flush urine out of your system?

Grapes. Grapes are also an excellent home remedy when it comes to alleviating urine retention. They are high in potassium, which helps to relax the urinary tract and associated muscles, and they also help to flush out your system. They are also low in sodium and albumin, which tend to exacerbate kidney issues.

Why is saw palmetto used for bladder retention?

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is an excellent remedy for reducing the size of the prostate, but it also helps to prevent the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is a leading cause of bladder retention due to an enlarged prostate.

How to get rid of urine stains?

Additionally, look for ways to add walnuts to your daily diet through salads, snacks, and smoothies. 15. Turmeric. Another excellent home remedy for treating urine retention is turmeric. The compound curcumin, found in turmeric is king among anti-inflammatory substances that can be found in herbs and spices.

Does cranberry juice help with urinary tract infections?

Cranberry juice not only keeps your urinary tract clean of infection but it also helps prevent cystitis as well.

What is the best medicine for kidneys?

Walnuts. Known for tonifying or strengthening the essence of the kidneys in Chinese medicine, walnuts are also effective in home remedies that help to treat urine retention. Walnuts are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and selenium as well as a load of antioxidants.

Is urine retention a health issue?

The retention of urine is not only uncomfortable to deal with, but it can also become a very serious health matter. Be sure to consult a healthcare professional if you are suffering from this condition and ask about making use of one or more of our urine retention home remedies as a means of helping relieve the issues and preventing further problems. Your questions, comments and additional home remedies are certainly welcome in the section provided below.

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Background

Key Questions

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
  • Fluid and diet modification- Avoid processed food, artificial sweeteners, acidic or spicy food
  • Bladder retraining- Includes scheduled bathroom visits and delaying urination
  • Kegel exercises - exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles
  • Limit beverages that increase urination, including caffeinated drinks like sodas, coffee, and tea
  • Drink less fluid before bedtime
  • Go to the bathroom before you go to bed at night, and as soon as you get up in the morning
See a doctor if you notice:
  • It continues for more than a week
  • It causes pain while passing urine

See a doctor immediately if you notice:
  • Severe pain
  • Complete blockage of urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever and chills

Analytic Framework

Methods

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With acute urinary retention, a health care professional will immediately drain the urine from your bladder using a catheter. Removing the urine from the bladder eases your pain and helps prevent your bladder and kidneysfrom being damaged. If you have chronic urinary retention, your health care professional will first try to dia…
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References

Summary of Protocol Amendments

Review of Key Questions

  • Chronic Urinary Retention
    Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder of urine.1 Retention can be complete or partial and acute or chronic. The International Continence Society defined the chronic retention of urine as a nonpainful bladder that remains palpable after voiding.2 In research setti…
  • Testing and Treatment
    Treatment for CUR is dependent on etiology. Therefore, providers may first conduct tests to identify the etiology. The presence and severity of symptoms is a consideration in testing decisions. Commonly performed tests include: 1. Urinalysis 2. Urine culture 3. Measures of rena…
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Key Informants

  • The draft Key Questions (KQs) developed during the Topic Refinement phase were posted for public comment from October 22, 2012, through November 19, 2012. The comments received suggested that changes to the scope of the draft KQs were not necessary. Specifically, comments provided opinions about the status of the evidence and current practice. One comment suggest…
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Technical Experts

  • The analytic framework describing the treatment path for adults with CUR is in Figure 1, below. Abbreviations: AUR = acute urinary retention; KQ = key question; MCID = minimal clinically important difference; PVR = postvoid residual urine volume; QoL = Quality of Life Scale; TWOC = trial without catheterization; UTI = urinary tract infection
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Peer Reviewers

  • Criteria for Inclusion/Exclusion of Studies in the Review
    Studies will be included or excluded in the review based on the PICOTS framework outlined in Section II and the study-specific inclusion criteria described in Table 3.
  • Searching for the Evidence: Literature Search Strategies for Identification of Relevant Studies T…
    We will utilize bibliographic database searching to identify previous systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies published from 1946 to the present for studies enrolling adults based on a diagnosis of CUR. Relevant bibliographic databases for this t…
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Overview

  1. Kaplan SA, Wein AJ, Staskin DR, et al. Urinary retention and post-void residual urine in men: separating truth from tradition. J Urol. 2008 Jul;180(1):47-54. PMID: 18485378.
  2. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurou...
  1. Kaplan SA, Wein AJ, Staskin DR, et al. Urinary retention and post-void residual urine in men: separating truth from tradition. J Urol. 2008 Jul;180(1):47-54. PMID: 18485378.
  2. Abrams P, Cardozo L, Fall M, et al. The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurou...
  3. Selius BA, Subedi R. Urinary retention in adults: diagnosis and initial management. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Mar 1;77(5):643-50. PMID: 18350762.
  4. Kalejaiye O, Speakman MJ. Management of acute and chronic retention in men. Eur Urol Suppl. 2009;8(6):523-9.

Diagnosis

  • In the event of protocol amendments, the date of each amendment will be accompanied by a description of the change and the rationale.
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Causes

  • For all Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) reviews, Key Questions were reviewed and refined as needed by the EPC with input from Key Informants and the Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to assure that the questions are specific and explicit about what information is being reviewed. In addition, the Key Questions were posted for public comment and finalized by the EPC after revie…
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Clinical significance

  • Key Informants are the end-users of research, including patients and caregivers, practicing clinicians, relevant professional and consumer organizations, purchasers of health care, and others with experience in making health care decisions. Within the EPC program, the Key Informant role is to provide input into identifying the Key Questions for research that will inform …
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Risks

  • Technical Experts comprise a multidisciplinary group of clinical, content, and methodological experts who provide input in defining populations, interventions, comparisons, or outcomes, as well as identifying particular studies or databases to search. They are selected to provide broad expertise and perspectives specific to the topic under development. Divergent and conflicted opi…
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Treatment

  • Peer Reviewers are invited to provide written comments on the draft report based on their clinical, content, or methodological expertise. Peer review comments on the preliminary draft of the report are considered by the EPC in preparation of the final draft of the report. Peer reviewers do not participate in writing or editing of the final report or other products. The synthesis of the scientifi…
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Symptoms

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