Causes of Bladder Retention

Bladder retention, also called urinary retention, is a painful condition where it is difficult or impossible to eliminate the urine in one's bladder. The bladder "retains" the urine, hence the name "bladder retention." There are two main types: acute bladder retention, also called acute urinary retention, which is a sudden inability to urinate; and chronic bladder retention, also called chronic urinary retention, in which one regularly has difficulty urinating over time. The main causes are the same in both: some sort of blockage of the urinary tract or a problem with the transmission of nerve signals to the brain. In men, the most common cause of blockage is an enlarged prostate gland. In women, the most common cause is an infection. In most cases, medical treatment is needed. Here are some of the main causes of the problem.

Enlarged Prostate Gland

• As men age, it is typical for their prostate gland to enlarge. The medical term for this condition is benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BHP. As the prostate enlarges, it presses against the urethra and inhibits the flow of urine during elimination. This puts stress on the bladder, which, if left untreated, can weaken and become incapable of emptying itself.

Problems with the Nervous System

• If the nerves in the bladder become damaged, the proper signals upon the need for elimination may not be sent to the brain. For instance, in a healthy adult, when the bladder fills with about eight ounces of liquid, it sends a signal to the brain saying, "Time to empty." If the nerve pathway is damaged, that signal may not be sent, thus resulting in urine retention. Anything that could cause stress or trauma to the bladder, including natural childbirth, diabetes and pelvic injury, could also cause bladder retention. Similarly, anything that causes stress or trauma to the brain, including stroke and head injuries, could also cause receptors not to receive nerve signals.

Negative Drug Interactions

• The purpose of some medications is to counteract overactive nerves. Many medicines work indiscriminately, though, and tend to inhibit a number of different types of nerve cells, including those in the bladder. The three basic types of drugs that have been known to inhibit urine flow in some people are antihistamines (taken for allergies or running noses and itchy eyes), anitspasmodics (for stomach cramps and muscle spasms) and antidepressants (for anxiety and depression). Ironically, these medications have also been known to cause more frequent elimination in some people.

Post-Surgery

• Anesthesia is used to dull nerve receptors so a patient does not feel pain during a surgical procedure. It is typical for patients to experience bladder retention for 12-48 hours after a surgical procedure. The problem of retention usually goes away as the anesthesia wears off.

Infections

• If the urethra or bladder becomes infected, it can enlarge and become irritable. If left untreated, the urethra can even expand to the point where it completely shuts off the exit pathway for the urine, thereby making elimination impossible. Women are more likely than men to experience these types of infections.

Additional Causes

• There are many other possible cause of bladder retention. The most common are bladder stones, constipation and constriction of the urethra. Bladder stones are buildups of minerals in the bladder. Some people are more prone to these buildups than others, but if a stone is large enough and gets lodged in the urethra, elimination become painful and even impossible. If a woman is constipated, fecal matter in the bowel can push against the urethra, causing it to close its passageway. Lastly, if a person receives a trauma to the groin area, that could cause constriction of the urethra, too.