What Causes Your Bladder To Not Fully Empty

What Symptoms Would I Have With A Rectocele

How to Overcome Incomplete Bladder Emptying FOR MEN | Physio Guide to Improving Bladder Flow

Many women with a rectocele have no symptoms, and the condition is only seen in a pelvic examination. In general, if a rectocele isnt causing you symptoms or discomfort, it can be left alone.

When symptoms are present, you may have:

Difficulty having bowel movements.

A rectocele should be treated only if your symptoms interfere with your quality of life.

What Causes Urinary Retention

Blockages, such as a stone, growth, or narrowing of your urethra
A weak bladder muscle
Nerve damage from diabetes, stroke, or spinal cord injury
Bladder diverticula, which are pockets of urine that form in your bladder and do not empty
Certain medicines, such as narcotics, antihistamines, or antidepressants

Urinary Retention: Does Drinking Water Really Help

Urinary retention is a condition characterized by an inability to fully empty the bladder. The bladder serves as a storage tank for urine, a substance made by the kidneys after they have filtered out waste and extra water from your blood. Once made, the urine travels to the bladder where it will stay until a person is ready to urinate. In a healthy individual, the bladder can hold up to two cups of urine comfortably for up to five hours.

Urinary retention can occur for a variety of reasons. Among men, an enlarged prostate is the most common cause. Among women, bladder muscle dysfunction and urinary stones are the typical culprits. Individuals with this condition may experience:

Feeling the need to urinate right after using the bathroom

Causes Of Incomplete Bladder Emptying

Urinary retention and incomplete emptying can result from a number of causes . In some cases, the flow of urine is blocked, for example, in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This causes obstruction. Another form of impaired emptying is nonobstructive, that is, there is no problem with the urethra but the bladder muscle is less able to adequately contract. When the bladder cannot contract properly, some or all of the urine remains in the bladder. If left untreated, this condition can lead to urinary tract infection and damage to the kidneys.

How Does The Urinary System Work

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, the bladder and urethra. The kidneys filter the blood to remove waste products and produce urine. The urine flows from the kidneys down through the ureters to the bladder. A ring of muscle squeezes shut to keep urine in the bladder and relaxes when we need to wee. The urine passes through another tube called the urethra to the outside when urinating .

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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.

Blockage Or Narrowing In The Urethra Or Bladder Neck

For you to be able to urinate normally, all parts of your urinary tract need to work together in the correct order. Urine normally flows from your kidneys, through the ureters to your bladder, and out the urethra. If a blockage or narrowing occurs somewhere along the urinary tract, you may have difficulty urinating, and if the blockage is severe, you may not be able to urinate at all.

Medical problems that may narrow the urethra and block urine flow include

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What Are The Possible Complications Of Urinary Retention

The complications of urinary retention and its treatments may include:

UTIs: the normal flow of urine usually prevents germs from infecting the urine. With urinary retention, bacteria may be able to infect the urine because the urine cannot flow out of the bladder.

Bladder damage: if the bladder becomes stretched too far or for long periods, the muscles may become damaged and unable to work properly.

Chronic kidney disease: for some people, urinary retention causes urine to flow backwards into the kidneys. This backward flow is called reflux and it may damage or scar the kidneys.

Urinary incontinence: this may occur together with chronic urinary retention or after surgery .

Prostate gland surgery may cause urinary incontinence in some men. This problem is often temporary and gets better quite quickly. Most men recover their bladder control in a few weeks or months after surgery.

Mistake #: Not Drinking Enough Water

How to Empty Your Bladder and Overcome Incomplete Bladder Emptying | Complete PHYSIOTHERAPY GUIDE

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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Causes Of Incomplete Bowel Movement

There are various reasons why you may be experiencing incomplete bowel movement or tenesmus. Tenesmus may be a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease or other changes in the rectum or intestines. Other possible reasons are:

motility disorders of the intestines, including pelvic floor dyssynergia

Constipation can be the result of:

lifestyle changes, such as inactivity
alterations to the diet
medications, including certain narcotics, antidepressants, codeine, and calcium or iron supplements
an underlying condition, such as Parkinsons disease, hypothyroidism, or diabetes
intestinal strictures from surgery or trauma

Does Drinking Water Help Urinary Retention

Constipation is another cause of urinary retention that can be prevented by making simple modifications to your diet and lifestyle. Incorporating enough fiber into your diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting regular physical activity can all help lower your chances of developing urinary retention.

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Tips To Emptying Completely

Follow these tips and tricks to make sure your bladder stays empty and healthy.

Listen to your body. When you have a full bladder and feel the need to go, head to the bathroom. The amount of urine you think you have doesn’t matter. Just go!

Don’t push. Allow your bladder to contract on its own. Try to relax the pelvic floor muscles as much as possible.

Don’t linger too long. Give yourself time, but not too much. The longer you sit, the longer your bladder will think it needs to empty, which will train it to not empty completely.

Drink plenty of water. The World Health Organization recommends between two to 16 liters of water per day. Staying hydrated can help flush your body of toxins and waste. Drinking water also helps with passing urine more frequently. It’s better to have an acutely overactive bladder than an underactive one!

Void your bowels regularly. When constipation occurs and your colon is fuller, it places pressure on the bladder, making it more difficult to void fully.

Don’t hover! It can be hard not to hover when there’s a dirty toilet seat, but when you do this, the pelvic floor muscles engage and you force the urine to pass past them, creating dysfunctional voiding. Instead, sit down on the toilet seat completely This allows the pelvic floor muscles to relax.

Use belly breathing. Belly breathing allows decreased abdominal pressure, which is a great way to ensure your bladder empties to completion.

What Is The Long

The degree of success after rectocele repair depends on a number of factors, including:

Type of symptoms present.
Length of time the symptoms have been present.
Surgical method and approach taken.

Studies show about 75% to 90% of patients have significant improvement but this level of satisfaction decreases over time.

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When Should I See A Health Care Professional

See a health care professional right away if you are unable to urinate or have severe pain in your abdomen. Acute urinary retention can be life threatening.

If you have any of the other symptoms of urinary retention, such as trouble urinating, frequent urination, or leaking urine, talk with your health care professional about your symptoms and possible treatments. Chronic urinary retention can cause serious health problems.

How Can Urinary Retention Be Prevented

For men:

If you have an enlarged prostate, be sure to take prostate medications as prescribed by your doctor and avoid medications associated with urinary retention, such as over-the-counter cold and allergy medications that contain decongestants.

For women:

If you have mild cystocele or rectocele, you may be able to prevent urinary retention by doing exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.

Kimberly-Clark Australia makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.

Healthdirect.gov.au, . Urinary retention. Available at: .

http://www.health.qld.gov.au, . Adult Urinary Obstruction, Retention and Bladder Scanning. Available at: .

John P. Cunha, F. . Urinary Retention: Get the Facts on Causes and Treatment. MedicineNet. Available at: .

Kidney.niddk.nih.gov, . Urinary Retention National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Available at: .

Knott, MD, L. . Acute Urinary Retention. Information about AUR. Patient | Patient.co.uk. Patient.co.uk. Available at: .

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What Is The Urinary Tract

The urinary tract consists of the organs, tubes, and muscles that work together to make, move, store, and release urine. The upper urinary tract includes the kidneys, which filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood, and the ureters, which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The lower urinary tract includes the bladder, a balloon-shaped muscle that stores urine, and the urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body during urination. If the urinary system is healthy, the bladder can hold up to 16 ounces-2 cups-of urine comfortably for 2 to 5 hours.

Muscles called sphincters squeeze shut the tubes from the bladder to help keep urine from leaking. The sphincter muscles close tightly like a rubber band around the opening of the bladder, which leads into the urethra.

Nerves in the bladder tell you when it is time to urinate. As the bladder first fills with urine, you may notice afeeling that you need to go. The sensation to urinate becomes stronger as the bladder continues to fill. As itreaches its limit, nerves from the bladder send a message to the brain that the bladder is full and the urge toempty your bladder intensifies.

When you urinate, the brain signals the bladder muscle to tighten, squeezing urine out of the bladder. At the sametime, the brain signals the sphincter muscles to relax. As these muscles relax, urine exits the bladder through theurethra. When all the signals occur in the correct order, normal urination occurs.

How Is It Diagnosed

How To: Fully Empty Your Bladder

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.

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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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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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

How To Empty The Bladder

This article was co-authored by Robert Dhir, MD. Dr. Robert Dhir is a board certified Urologist, Urological Surgeon, and the Founder of HTX Urology in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Dhirs expertise includes minimally-invasive treatments for enlarged prostate , kidney stone disease, surgical management of urological cancers, and mens health . His practice has been named a Center of Excellence for the UroLift procedure, and is a pioneer in non-surgical procedures for ED using his patented Wave Therapy. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and was awarded honors in pre-medical studies, urology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. Dr. Dhir served as chief resident during his urological surgical residency at University of Texas at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center in addition to completing his internship in general surgery. Dr. Dhir was voted Top Doctor in Urology for 2018 to 2019, one of the top three Best Rated Urologists in 2019 & 2020 for Houston Texas, and Texas Monthly has named him to the 2019 & 2020 Texas Super Doctors Rising Stars list.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 404,692 times.

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.