Q: Which doctor treats urinary retention?
A: Urinary retention is treated by a urologist.
Q: How does prostate enlargement cause urinary retention?
A: The prostate is a gland in males that secretes a fluid that contributes to the semen. The gland surrounds the upper part of the long urethra in males. An enlargement of the prostate externally compresses resulting in narrowing of the urethra and retention of urine.
Q: What is urethral stricture?
A: Urethral stricture is a condition where the urethra is narrow, thus restricting the passage of urine. Causes of urethral strictures include injury to the urethra, following insertion of a catheter, exposure to radiation or infections of the urethra or the surrounding tissues.
Q: Why does urinary retention occur after any surgical procedure?
A: Urinary retention often occurs in the post-operative period. Several causes contribute to the retention which may include the use of anesthetic and painkiller medications, excessive intravenous fluids that result in over distention of the bladder, or trauma to the bladder or the urethra during surgery. The urinary output should be monitored after surgery since the patient, who is often under the influence of the anesthetic drugs and painkillers, may not realize it.
Q: What is Fowler’s syndrome?
A: Fowler’s syndrome is urinary retention at high bladder volumes that occur in girls at menarche, often following events like minor surgery. The exact cause is not known but may be due to hormonal changes affecting the urethral sphincter.
