Modern Urologist
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Bladder & urinary symptoms

Why the Bladder Will Not Empty

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Why the Bladder Will Not Empty
Why the Bladder Will Not Empty. Urinary retention can result from resistance at the outlet, inadequate bladder contraction, failure of the pelvic floor and sphincter to relax, or disrupted neurologic coordination. More than one mechanism may occur at the same time.
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Why the Bladder Will Not Empty. Retention describes what happened. Testing determines why. Labels: Common triggers in a vulnerable system; Anesthesia • Surgery • Pain • Infection • Constipation • New medication; Outlet Resistance; Prostate enlargement, urethral narrowing, stone, clot, swelling, or severe constipation; Weak Bladder Contraction; Overstretching, aging, diabetes, medication effects, or muscle decompensation; Failure to Relax; Pelvic-floor or sphincter remains closed during voiding; Neurologic Disruption; Brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerve signaling loses coordination; Residual urine; bladder stretching; infection or stones; upper-tract pressure or kidney impact in higher-risk cases.