How to Void the Bladder

Universally, there are basic procedures that one may take for bladder dysfunction in order to induce urination and void the bladder. They include fluid intake, assessment of prescription drug side-effects and medical intervention, which includes prescription drugs, catheterization and surgery. Increasing your water intake or discontinuing certain medications may result in the ability to properly void your bladder.

Instructions

• 1

  Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water and/or cranberry juice. Increasing fluid intake may help restore normal bladder function. Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic, as is coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine.

• 2

  Limit your sodium intake. Sodium, including that which is in carbonated drinks, causes fluid retention.

• 3

  Retrain your bladder. This, according to MedlinePlus, "involves urinating on a schedule, whether you feel a need to go or not. In between those times, you try to wait to the next scheduled time." At first, MedlinePlus notes, you may need to schedule one-hour intervals. Gradually, increase by half-hour intervals until you are only urinating every three to four hours, without the leakage that accompanies "overflow incontinence."

• 4

  Seek medical attention. The inability to void the bladder may be a symptom of one or more other medical problems. If you are taking prescription medicine, refer to the data/fact sheet that accompanied it for a list of possible side effects. If incontinence is a listed side effect of your medication, notify your physician. A physician may insert a catheter to induce urination and drain the bladder directly. Surgery may be a last resort if all else fails. Removal of possible blockages in the urinary tract (kidney stones) may be required, along with antibiotics for possible inflammation of the urinary tract, prostate or bladder.

• 5

  Take all medications prescribed by your physician for voiding your bladder. According to Merck, the most commonly prescribed drugs are oxybutynin and detrol, which are both anticholinergic and antimuscarinic, which will stimulate the bladder.