Can T Empty Bladder Fully

What Causes Incomplete Emptying Of The Bladder

Incomplete emptying of a bladder can affect people across all age groups and be a cause for pain, irritation, and embarrassment to the person. The medical term for the condition is Urinary Retention.

If not treated in time, the condition can lead to complications including kidney failure that can be fatal. Its important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical help immediately.

How Is Urinary Retention Treated

Treatment for urinary retention can depend on whether you have the acute form or the chronic form, as well as the cause of the condition. For the acute form, a catheter is put into the urethra to drain the bladder.

Treatment of the chronic form or the acute form that becomes chronicwill depend on the cause.

Medications for enlarged prostate: For men with an enlarged prostate, certain drugs may be used to try and open it up or shrink it. These include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors . Also, procedures or surgery to open up the prostate may be tried.

Procedures for enlarged prostate: Many procedures are available when this problem is due to an enlarged prostate. Office-based treatments can be done with just local anesthetic only. These include water vapor therapy and prostatic urethral lift .

There are also several surgeries done under general anesthesia which are available. These include shaving down the inside of the prostate and opening up the prostate with a laser . A laser can also be used to carve out the entire enlarged portion of the prostate through the urethra , or this part of the prostate can be removed through the belly . All of these procedures can be effective in opening up the blockage.

Treatment for nerve issues: If the retention is due to a nerve-related issue, you may need to use a catheter on yourself at home.

Symptoms Of Urine Retention

Urine retention can be uncomfortable and symptoms might include:

• Pain and bloating in the lower abdominal area.
• A frequent, urgent need to urinate but then having trouble doing it.

It’s important to be checked if you have symptoms because urine that stays in your bladder for longer than it’s supposed to could grow bacteria .

If your cancer care team thinks you might have urinary retention, they will order tests. Some of these tests include bladder ultrasound, cystoscopy, CT scans, urodynamic tests , or electromyography .

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Thirty or more years ago, when I learned to use ergonomics to go to the bathroom, it was so I wouldnt have to self-catheterize. There was always a risk of getting more infections from self-catheterizing, not because it was unclean, but because it was invasive, often scraping the urethra and causing irritation .

This method was the answer to my prayers. All I wanted was to get a good nights sleep.

My Own Personal Method

What Should You Do If You Can’t Empty Your Bladder Completely

at all

If you cannot empty your bladder completely, but can still pee, you should still make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor should ask for a complete medical history, and carefully question you about your symptoms and how long you have been having them.

You can then expect a full physical exam and lab tests to find out what is causing your urinary retention. Ultrasound will be used in many cases, and your doctor may want to carry out a full range of urodynamic tests to understand why you cannot empty your bladder all the way.

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Try These Techniques To Relieve Common Urinary Symptoms Without Medication

For frequent urination or urgency in men, these methods really work. And you can always switch to medication later.

If you are a man over age 50, chances are you knowor will soonsomeone taking a medication for an overgrown prostate gland. Better known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , this condition can cause bothersome problems like frequent urination at night, difficulty completely emptying the bladder, and the urgent need to urinate at inconvenient times.

BPH triggers noticeable problems in a third of men in their 60s and nearly half of those in their 80s. Drug therapy relieves symptoms, and for severe problems, surgery may be considered. But for men with milder symptoms that don’t interfere much with their daily lives, simple changes in behavior can help to take the edge off urinary symptoms.

This approach is broadly available to men who have lower urinary tract symptoms that have been attributed to BPH, but who are not bothered enough to take on the small but finite risks of treatment, such as drugs or surgery.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Urinary Retention

• Frequent urination, or the urge to urinate right after you finish
• An urge to urinate, but your urine does not come out or dribbles out slowly and weakly
• Frequent urine leaks that happen during the day or while you sleep
• Pain or pressure when you urinate
• Pain or stiffness in your abdomen, lower back, hips, or upper thighs
• Blood in your urine

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Treatment For Urinary Problems

If your urinary problems are caused by infection or enlargement of the prostate gland, treatment may include:

• a long course of antibacterial medication because infection is difficult to get rid of, the antibacterial medication will need to be taken for many weeks
• medication to improve urine flow and other symptoms
• surgical procedures the type of surgery required depends on the size of the prostate and the condition of the urethra. Types of procedures include:
• transurethral resection of the prostate
• transurethral incision of the prostate
• laser resection of the prostate
• open surgery prostatectomy
• removal of prostate tissue using water jets or steam

Urinary symptoms commonly experienced with prostate problems include:

Although these symptoms often do not need treatment, see your doctor if they are causing you difficulty, as they can be successfully treated.

Cause Of Urinary Problems As Men Age

Many men experience urinary symptoms as they age, which may be caused by inflammation of the prostate gland . In older men, symptoms may be due to a blockage in the tubes due to a benign enlargement of the prostate gland . The most common symptom is difficulty emptying your bladder. Urinary symptoms may become bothersome enough that they require treatment. Not all urinary symptoms are due to changes to the prostate. Also, some men have enlarged prostates and yet experience few, if any, symptoms.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Control Problems

Signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence can include

• leaking urine during everyday activities, such as lifting, bending, coughing, or exercising
• being unable to hold in urine after feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate
• leaking urine without any warning or urge
• being unable to reach a toilet in time
• wetting your bed during sleep
• leaking during sexual activity

It’s A Medication Side Effect

Certain drugs can cause urinary retention. If you noticed that the problem began after starting a new prescription or over-the-counter medication, it could be to blame.

These types of meds all have the potential to affect bladder function, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

• Hormonal agents
• Muscle relaxants

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You Have A Nerve Issue

Neurological problems can prevent normal signaling between the brain and the bladder and urethra, which could lead to trouble with bladder emptying. These include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes or birth defects like spina bifida, according to the NIDDK.

Injuries that occur from a stroke or vaginal birth, as well as spinal cord injuries, pelvic injuries or brain injuries can also cause nerve damage that may lead to bladder problems.

How To Fully Empty Your Bladder

One of the main culprits behind urinary urgency and bladder control issues is the fact that many women do not fully empty their bladder when they use the restroom. There are many possible reasons for this. Here are just a few:

1) They hover above the toilet seat. As stated in this article, hovering can lead to incomplete bladder evacuation due to tense pelvic muscles.

2) They do kegels while urinating. At some point in the history of kegeling, word got out that a good time to do kegels is while urinating . The logic behind this theory is that you use your pelvic floor muscles to voluntarily stop the flow of urine, hence if you can stop the flow while urinating, you will know whether or not you can successfully contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles.

Heres the deal: its okay to try a kegel or two while you urinate in order to check in to see if you are doing kegels correctly . But this is not something you should do on a regular basis.

Doing kegels regularly while urinating can lead to incomplete bladder evacuation, which can make your bladder feel like its always full. You might think your bladder is the size of an acorn But really, its simply the fact that its never fully empty! To fully empty your bladder, practice your kegel exercises when you are OFF the toilet.

We dont want that!

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How Oab Can Affect Your Life Your Browser Does Not Support Html5 Audio Playback You May Download The Audio File Directly Here

Without treatment, OAB symptoms are uncomfortable. It can be hard to get through the day without many visits to the bathroom. OAB can impact relationships. You may not want to do things you enjoy because you worry about finding a bathroom in time. It can disrupt your sleep and sex life. It can leave you tired and short-tempered, or leaks can lead to a rash or infections. The whole experience can make anyone feel hopeless and very unhappy.

The good news is that OAB can be controlled. There are treatments available to help.

I stopped running, I stopped taking walks. Basically, I stopped doing things that didn’t allow me immediate access to a bathroom. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t talk to anyone about it for a long time. That was a mistake.

Your browser does not support HTML5 audio playback. You may download the audio file directly here Who gets OAB?

• Both men and women can get OAB.
• Older women who have gone through menopause and men who have had prostate problems are more likely to get OAB.
• Growing older is a factor, but not all people get OAB as they age. It’s not a normal part of aging.
• People with diseases that affect the brain or spinal cord such as stroke and multiple sclerosis are more likely to get OAB.

Once your doctor understands the problem, he or she can tell you about treatment options. There’s no single treatment that’s right for everyone.You may try one treatment, or a few at the same time.

Mistake #: Not Drinking Enough Water

Many urinary complaints are related to poor hydration. Generally speaking, if your urine is clear or very light, thats a sign you are drinking the right amount of water. If your urine is dark yellow or amber, thats usually a sign of dehydration.

Odor, an off color, and the sense of burning while voiding are other signs that might indicate you are not properly hydrated. Not drinking enough water can contribute to UTIs and kidney stones. Concentrated urine can irritate the lining of the bladder, making it more sensitive. It is also more likely to form kidney or bladder stones.

Many patients ask if drinking alternative fluids will suffice, but many beverages contain high sugar concentrations or caffeine, which can have other health effects, says Dr. Brito, noting these might make overactive bladder symptoms worse. Water is the safest option to maintain hydration and keep your kidneys and bladder healthy.

There are some conditions that can make your urine appear more concentrated even if you are well-hydrated, such as liver problems or hematuria. So, if you are drinking enough water but have dark-colored urine, odor, or burning, its worth a trip to a urologist, who can evaluate your symptoms more closely.

The ability to urinate freely and without difficulty is taken for granted by most people, says Dr. Brito. So, next time you have to go, follow the above advice for better urinary health.

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How Is It Diagnosed

To diagnose urinary retention, a doctor will first ask about the history of your symptoms and perform a physical exam. The physical will include an examination of your genitals and rectum to look for any symptoms affecting those areas that may also affect the urinary tract.

Some other tests that may be used to confirm a diagnosis

likely be inserted to help quickly drain the urine. Local anesthesia will be used to make sure you dont feel pain or discomfort from the catheter.

If a catheter doesnt work or cant be used because of an injury or other condition, a doctor may insert a suprapubic catheter into the skin above your bladder to drain the urine.

What The Patient Can Do

Here are some things that may help make urine retention less of a problem:

• Empty your bladder at least every 4 hours, even if you don’t feel the urge to do so.
• Empty your bowels regularly.
• If tolerated, drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid daily, preferably water.
• Talk to your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements youre taking.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol and citrus juices, which can irritate the bladder.
• Avoid hygiene products and chlorinated pools and hot tubs that may irritate the bladder

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Tips To Keep Your Bladder Healthy

People rarely talk about bladder health, but everyone is affected by it. Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ, much like a balloon, that stores urine. Urine contains waste and extra fluid left over after the body takes what it needs from what we eat and drink. Each day, adults pass about a quart and a half of urine through the bladder and out of the body.

As people get older, the bladder changes. The elastic bladder tissue may toughen and become less stretchy. A less flexible bladder cannot hold as much urine as before and might make you go to the bathroom more often. The bladder wall and pelvic floor muscles may weaken, making it harder to empty the bladder fully and causing urine to leak.

While you cant control everything that affects your bladder, here are 15 steps you can take to keep it as healthy as possible:

How Is Urinary Retention Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and the medicines you take. He will press or tap on your lower abdomen. You may need any of the following tests:

• A digital rectal exam is when healthcare providers carefully feel the size of your prostate.
• A post void residual test will show how much urine is left in your bladder after you urinate. You will be asked to urinate and then healthcare providers will use a small ultrasound machine to check how much urine is left in your bladder.
• Blood or urine tests may show infection or prostate specific antigen levels. PSA may be elevated in prostate cancer.
• An ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures on a monitor. An ultrasound may be done to show bladder stones, infection, or other problems.
• A CT scan , or CAT scan, is a type of x-ray that is taken of your prostate, kidneys, and bladder. The pictures may show what is causing your urinary retention. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help healthcare providers see the pictures better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast dye.

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Obstruction Anywhere In The Circuit

Anything that prevents the urine to get to the bladder from the kidneys can cause urinary retention. Some of the causes for obstruction that are common to men and women are:

• Kidney stones or urinary tract stones in general
• Any defect in the structure of the urethra
• Tumour or cancer in any organ or part of the lower abdomen
• A bout of severe constipation
• Blood clot due to bleeding in the bladder which can be due to various reasons
• A foreign object stuck or inserted into the urethra
• Severe inflammation of the urethra, which can be due to various reasons

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