If you can't pee, it could indicate a serious medical issue, and prompt medical attention is crucial, especially if it's sudden.
Understanding Urinary Retention
The inability to urinate is known as urinary retention. There are two main types:
- Acute Urinary Retention: This is a sudden inability to urinate. It's often painful and requires immediate medical attention.
- Chronic Urinary Retention: This is a gradual inability to completely empty the bladder. You might be able to urinate, but not fully, and you might not even know you have it.
What To Do If You Suddenly Can't Pee (Acute Urinary Retention)
Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency.
- Seek immediate medical care: Go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care clinic right away. Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications.
- Expect catheterization: Doctors will likely insert a catheter to drain the urine from your bladder. This provides immediate relief and prevents bladder damage.
- Undergo evaluation: Doctors will investigate the cause of your urinary retention.
What Happens If You Can Pee a Little, But Not Fully (Possible Chronic Urinary Retention)
If you suspect you have chronic urinary retention, it's still important to see a doctor, though the timeline is less urgent than with acute retention.
- Schedule an appointment with a urologist: A urologist specializes in urinary tract issues.
- Expect a comprehensive evaluation: The urologist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and perform a physical exam. They may also order tests, such as:
- Post-void residual (PVR) measurement: This measures the amount of urine left in your bladder after urination.
- Urine flow study: This measures the speed and volume of your urine flow.
- Imaging tests: Ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI may be used to visualize your bladder and urinary tract.
- Discuss treatment options: Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
- Medications: To relax the bladder muscles or shrink an enlarged prostate.
- Intermittent catheterization: You learn to insert a catheter yourself to empty your bladder regularly.
- Surgery: May be necessary to correct structural problems, such as an enlarged prostate or urethral stricture.
Potential Causes of Urinary Retention
Numerous factors can contribute to urinary retention, including:
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of the prostate gland, common in older men, can obstruct the urethra.
- Urethral stricture: Narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue.
- Nerve damage: Conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury can affect bladder control.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and antidepressants, can interfere with bladder function.
- Infection: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can sometimes cause urinary retention.
- Constipation: Severe constipation can put pressure on the bladder and urethra.
- Surgery: Anesthesia and certain surgical procedures can temporarily affect bladder function.
- Bladder stones or tumors: These can block the flow of urine.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore It
Ignoring urinary retention can lead to:
- Bladder damage: Overstretching of the bladder can weaken the bladder muscles.
- Kidney damage: Backflow of urine can damage the kidneys.
- Infection: Stagnant urine in the bladder increases the risk of infection.
- Incontinence: Long-term retention can lead to overflow incontinence.
In summary, if you find yourself unable to pee, seek immediate medical attention for acute retention. If you can pee partially, but not fully, consult a urologist promptly for diagnosis and treatment of possible chronic retention.
