Is overactive bladder and urinary retention the same thing?

Because of these confusing symptoms, chronic retention quite often gets diagnosed as overactive bladder or urge incontinence. This is serious, as the treatment for overactivity is basically to “calm the bladder down” with pharmaceuticals – which, of course, increases the level of retention.

What is the difference between urinary retention and urinary incontinence?

With urinary retention, your bladder does not completely empty. With urinary incontinence (UI), you have urine leakage that you cannot control. Products and devices can help men and women of all ages. For some people, they are the only way to manage bladder problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of urinary retention?

Chronic urinary retention

• the inability to completely empty your bladder when urinating.
• frequent urination in small amounts.
• difficulty starting the flow of urine, called hesitancy.
• a slow urine stream.
• the urgent need to urinate, but with little success.
• feeling the need to urinate after finishing urination.

What happens when the bladder retains urine?

When the bladder is full, you urinate and the waste leaves your body. However, if you have urinary retention, your bladder doesn’t completely empty when you urinate. This can happen to both men and women and it can be caused by things like blockages, medications or nerve issues.

How is OAB diagnosis?

In most cases OAB can be diagnosed by history and physical exam and a urine analysis to rule out infection or blood in the urine. An abnormal urine analysis may prompt treatment (if infection is found) or further testing (if blood is found). Sometime you doctor will check to see if your bladder is emptying well.

How do you check for urinary retention?

How is urinary retention diagnosed?

1. Physical examination — A physical exam of the lower abdomen will determine if you have a distended bladder by lightly tapping on the lower belly.
2. Post void residual measurement — Using an ultrasound, this test measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.

How is urinary retention diagnosed?

A health care professional may use urinary tract imaging tests such as an ultrasound, VCUG, MRI, or CT scan to find out what’s causing your urinary retention.

How is chronic urinary retention treated?

Medications that can help treat urinary retention include : antibiotics for infections of the prostate, bladder, or urinary tract. medications to relax your prostate or sphincters and help urine flow more freely. medications to reduce the size of your prostate (if you have BPH)

How do you know if your bladder isn’t emptying?

Difficulty fully emptying the bladder. Weak dribble or stream of urine. Loss of small amounts of urine during the day. Inability to feel when bladder is full.

How do doctors tell if you have an overactive bladder?

Urinalysis. Taking a urine sample allows your doctor to check for conditions that can cause overactive bladder. A urinalysis looks for the presence of these substances in the urine: Bacteria or white blood cells, which could indicate a urinary tract infection or inflammation.

How do you test for bladder problems?

This might include one of the following:

1. Cystogram. This is an X-ray of your bladder in action.
2. Cystoscopy. Your doctor will insert a slender tube with a tiny lens into your urethra to check it out, as well as the lining of your bladder.
3. Pelvic ultrasound or renal ultrasound.
4. Urodynamic testing.