How can I prevent acute urinary retention?

Prostate care, caution with certain medications, and dressing warmly in seasonal changes all help.

Who is most at risk of acute urinary retention?

Most often men over 50, especially those with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Can cold medicine cause acute urinary retention?

Yes. Some antihistamines and sympathomimetics can weaken the bladder muscle and trigger retention.

What if acute urinary retention goes untreated?

Bladder function gradually declines, and kidney damage or hydronephrosis can follow.

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AI CURATION

Briefly describe your symptoms
to the smart Goldman AI.

e.g. I urinate frequently and always feel residual urine
e.g. I feel a burning pain when I urinate
e.g. Itchy, stinging blisters on my genitals

Acute Urinary Retention

A sudden emergency in which no urine comes out at all — prompt treatment is needed.

Sudden urinary retention:
waiting it out can put even your kidneys at risk.

Goldman TV: Guide to Acute Urinary Retention

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If urine suddenly stops coming out, prompt action is needed.
Delayed treatment can lead to serious complications.

SINCE 2002, the hub of AI smart healthcare

Acute urinary retention: why does it happen?

Acute urinary retention is an emergency condition in which no urine comes out at all, and it commonly occurs in middle-aged and older men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
About 70% of patients have it in connection with BPH, and because there is a risk of bladder damage, prompt treatment and removing the underlying cause are important.

Acute urinary retention, why does it develop?

Acute urinary retention develops from a variety of causes, including BPH and taking cold medicine.
Antihistamines and sympathomimetics in particular reduce bladder function and can trigger urinary retention, and exposure to cold temperatures during seasonal changes can make symptoms worse.

Enlarged prostateNormal prostate

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A leading cause of urinary retention,
it is especially common in middle-aged and older men.
Taking cold medicine or certain other drugs

Medications can weaken bladder muscle contraction
and cause difficulty urinating.
Sharp drops in temperature (seasonal changes)

Exposure to cold morning and night air activates the sympathetic nervous system,
which lowers bladder function and raises the risk of urinary retention.

Acute urinary retention:
what symptoms come with it?

During urinary retention, the bladder can expand to as much as 1500cc, more than three times its normal capacity (400~500cc),
which can make the lower abdomen swell hard and cause severe pain.

Flank pain

It can occur when the urinary tract is blocked or kidney pressure builds.
Lower abdominal distension

Unpassed urine swells the bladder, causing discomfort.
Hematuria

Urinary tract irritation or injury causes blood in the urine.
Urinary Tract Infection

Bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing inflammation and discomfort.
Pus in the urine

In a severe infection, pus may appear in the urine.
Painful urination

Pain felt when passing urine, usually related to inflammation or infection.
Hesitancy

Urine flows poorly or is slow to start.
Uremia

A dangerous state in which urine cannot be passed and waste products build up in the body.

Diagnosing acute urinary retention:
what methods are used?

If acute urinary retention is left untreated, bladder muscle function declines, and rising bladder pressure can impair blood flow and damage tissue.
In severe cases kidney function can also deteriorate, so early, accurate diagnosis and identifying the underlying cause are important.

Basic Tests

Consultation and testing show how severe the symptoms are and what causes them.

Bladder Ultrasound

We check bladder urine volume and the bladder wall to find the cause of acute urinary retention.

Blood and Urine Tests

We identify the condition behind the retention and assess overall health.

Treating acute urinary retention:
how does it work?

When acute urinary retention occurs, a catheter is inserted to drain the urine as an emergency measure, and to help the damaged bladder recover, keeping the catheter in place for 1~2 weeks may be necessary.

Medication Therapy

For acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, alpha-blockers are used to improve urination, and when bladder muscle contractility is reduced, cholinergic medication helps restore bladder function.
Non-surgical treatment

Catheterization is a non-surgical emergency treatment that drains urine through the urethra or the abdomen without any incision.The catheter stays in place for 1–2 weeks to relieve pain and protect the bladder; afterwards we check whether natural urination has returned and provide further treatment if needed.
Surgical treatment

Surgery is performed when medication does not work or acute urinary retention keeps recurring; prostate resection and urethral dilation are the typical procedures.

Goldman's Key Points in Treating Acute Urinary Retention

Fast Track

Goldman has introduced a Fast Track for urinary retention patients,
moving quickly from diagnosis to treatment.

Step

Walk in without an appointment!
Step

Testing and identification of the cause on the day of your visit
Step

Treatment or surgery completed within 1–2 days
Step

Immediate admission if needed

Questions about acute urinary retention? Get answers now.

Goldman's know-how gives clear answers to patients' questions.

Prostate care, caution with certain medications, and dressing warmly in seasonal changes all help.
Most often men over 50, especially those with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Yes.Some antihistamines and sympathomimetics can weaken the bladder muscle and trigger retention.
Bladder function gradually declines, and kidney damage or hydronephrosis can follow.