Understanding Urinary Retention and BPH

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BPH is the growth of smooth muscle and epithelial cells in the center of the prostate and surrounding tissue – unrelated to cancer.

The enlargement of the prostate may apply pressure to the urethra causing some obstruction and possibly difficulty with urination. This urethral obstruction may result in low risk, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs) such as urgency, frequency, slow stream, and nocturia. When these symptoms are severe, they may be indicative of a higher risk issue such as urinary retention.

To help better investigate urinary retention, a provider should obtain a good health history including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPPS), Urine Analysis (UA), Post-Void Residual volume (PVR), and if possible, Uroflowmetry.

If this initial evaluation identifies a more high-risk situation such as hydronephrosis, elevated serum creatinine, infection, significant urinary incontinence then, treatment should be initiated.

Teaching Patients Self-Catheterization

Our education and training equip us well to perform intermittent catheterization on a patient. However, teaching a patient to perform self-intermittent catheterization (SIC) requires a different skill set. Urology healthcare professionals are comfortable discussing what most patients consider to be very private matters...

Neurogenic Bladder - Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a disease in which the immune system attacks the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves resulting in the destruction of myelin (the protective covering of nerves). Think of it as an electrical cord losing its outer covering and the inner wires are exposed. The result can be an interruption in appropriate signals in the nervous system.

Urinary Retention – Introduction

In general, urinary retention is defined as the inability for the bladder to empty to completion. It may be a chronic or an acute condition experienced by men and women due to several health problems – including structural and neurological issues.