- Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder completely. - Urinary retention can be acute or chronic. - Urinary retention can result from - obstruction of the urethra - nerve problems - medications - weakened bladder muscles - The symptoms of acute urinary retention may include the following and require immediate medical attention: - inability to urinate - painful, urgent need to urinate - pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen - bloating of the lower abdomen - The symptoms of chronic urinary retention may include - urinary frequencyurination eight or more times a day - trouble beginning a urine stream - a weak or an interrupted urine stream - an urgent need to urinate with little success when trying to urinate - feeling the need to urinate after finishing urination - mild and constant discomfort in the lower abdomen and urinary tract - A health care provider diagnoses acute or chronic urinary retention with - a physical exam - postvoid residual measurement - A health care provider may use the following medical tests to help determine the cause of urinary retention: - cystoscopy - computerized tomography (CT) scans - urodynamic tests - electromyography - A health care provider treats urinary retention with - bladder drainage - urethral dilation - urethral stents - prostate medications - surgery - Complications of urinary retention and its treatments may include - urinary tract infections (UTIs) - bladder damage - kidney damage - urinary incontinence after prostate, tumor, or cancer surgery - People can prevent urinary retention before it occurs by treating some of the potential causes. 
What to do for Urinary Retention ?