Say Goodbye to Urinary Retention: 15 Urinary Retention Home Treatment

Urinary retention is a condition in which a person is unable to empty their bladder completely. Acute urinary retention affects around one in every ten males over the age of 70 and nearly one in every three men over the age of 80. It is more common in old age. Its symptoms are not particularly alarming, but it is critical if they worsen. 

In this article, we will look at some of the most effective urinary retention home treatments and offer advice on controlling symptoms and encouraging healing.

What Do You Mean By Urinary Retention? 

Urinary retention is a condition in which a person cannot completely empty their bladder or urinate, resulting in discomfort or other urinary tract abnormalities. The urinary bladder collects and stores urine, which is produced by waste filtered from the blood. The urine is subsequently passed out of the body through the urethra. Because of urine retention, this excretion mechanism is disturbed.

This condition can affect people of both genders at any age, but older people are more vulnerable due to prostate enlargement. There are two types of urinary retention.

• Acute Urinary retention
• Chronic Urinary retention

Healthcare professionals treat this concern and suggest medications or other treatments based on the type of urinary retention. Acute retention is a sudden inability to urinate that lasts for a short period of time. It occurs as a result of a urinary tract obstruction or nerve injury. Chronic retention, on the other hand, is a long-term condition caused by underlying medical disorders.

Symptoms Of Urinary Retention

The symptoms of urinary retention also vary on the type and severity of the problem. Anyhow, some common symptoms of urinary retention are:

• Difficulty starting to urinate
• Bloating
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Urgent or frequent need to urinate
• Incomplete bladder emptying

Chronic retention can also result in long-term consequences such as kidney damage, bladder stone formation, or urinary tract infection.

Causes Of Urinary Retention

Urinary retention is caused by a blockage or damage to your bladder, which prevents it from maintaining a strong enough force to discharge all of the urine. The following are some of the most common causes of urinary retention:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

It is a disorder in which the prostate enlarges and compresses the urethra, making it difficult to urinate. It is a prevalent issue among adults over the age of 50.

Urinary Track Obstruction

This is caused by a urethral or bladder obstruction or constriction. A bladder stone, a urinary tract infection, or tumors can cause obstruction.

Weakened Bladder Muscles

Weak bladder muscles may not contract with enough strength to empty the bladder completely. Weak bladder muscles might result from aging, trauma, childbirth, or previous surgery.

Constipation

Constipation puts strain on the bladder, causing it not to fill as much as it should or disrupting bladder contraction, resulting in urinary retention. 

Medications

This situation can be caused by certain medicines that interfere with nerve signals to your urinary tract. Some medicines are antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and opioids.

It is important to note that the underlying reason can determine the appropriate treatment. If you have persistent urinary retention, it is critical that you visit your healthcare professional.

Home Treatments For Urinary Retention 

Urinary retention is associated with some types of obstruction, such as nerve injury or bladder stones, and you must remove this obstruction to avoid further difficulties. Furthermore, urinary retention can be caused by other factors unrelated to any form of destruction, and numerous home remedies are available to help non-obstructed cases.

The home remedies listed below can help relieve urinary retention. If the retention is consistent, ignoring the treatment and advice of health care professionals is fatal.

Prostate Medication

Prostate medicine can help minimize urine retention in men with BPH, although not all prostate medications act by decreasing the prostate gland. Some drugs operate by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and bladder, while others block the hormones that encourage prostate growth. 

The precise mechanism of action is determined by the type of medication provided as well as the individual’s medical history and condition. This medicine includes:

• Alpha-blockers include tamsulosin, doxazosin, and alfuzosin
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors include finasteride and dutasteride.

Besides effectiveness, some medicines can show some side effects. So, before incorporating any medication, consult your physician.

Take Pain Killers

When you have urinary retention due to an infection, trauma, or edema in the urinary tract, you may experience severe pain, discomfort, or cramps. Take painkillers as directed by your doctor to relieve your discomfort and pain. 

Drink Plenty of Fluid 

Drink plenty of water and other fluids, especially coconut water, pineapple, and carrot juice, etc.; they can help flush out the bladder and encourage urination. It also lowers the risk of infection. Moreover, it also helps to get rid of small size stones.

Avoid Stress

Stress can trigger urinary retention symptoms, so try to keep yourself busy with some healthful activities or practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, etc., that help to reduce stress.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises (Kegel Exercises)

Practice pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and enhance your bladder and bowel function because these exercises involve contracting and relaxing the muscles that are used to stop urine flow.

Consume Dandelion

Dandelion is utilized as a diuretic (it helps your body get rid of salt and water) and can boost urine flow and remove fluid in your body. Dandelion tea promotes urine and decreases bodily water retention. Additionally, it is employed as an anti-inflammatory herb to treat bladder inflammation.

Use Peppermint Oil 

Peppermint is also an effective diuretic, and it also helps to clear out a number of urinary issues that can lead to the problem. Peppermint oil encourages urination, and it has been proven in a clinical study to treat postpartum urinary retention in women. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to the toilet bowl water; the oil’s vapors will come into touch with the perineum and stimulate the flow of urine.

Consume Walnuts

Walnuts are very good for bladder infection as they have anti-inflammatory properties, and it is a medicine recommended for incontinence (lack of voluntary control over urination). It contains a lot of antioxidants as well as omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and selenium, and they all help repair several conditions that contribute to urine retention.

Drink Carrot Juice

The mix of nutrients in carrot juice helps to reduce inflammation and acts as a great diuretic and antioxidant. Consuming carrot juice on a regular basis can help reduce urinary retention and the burning sensation experienced during urination.

Drink Coconut Water

Coconut water is one of the highest recommended remedies for urine retention relief. It has mild diuretic properties, is packed with electrolytes, and increases urinary potassium, chloride, and citrate in non-stone-forming individuals without altering the urine pH. Moreover, it might help in flushing the kidneys too.

Use Cinnamon 

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common bacteria that cause urinary tract infection (UTI). According to some research, cinnamon components reduce E. coli colonization in the bladder and urethra. Furthermore, it is an effective antifungal that prevents yeast infections and the development of cystitis.

Drink Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is recommended to cure UTIs and is a traditional home remedy for urinary tract infections. Cranberries include an ingredient known as A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which can inhibit bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. It also helps prevent cystitis.

Drink Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice is rich in antioxidants, which prevent the body from infection and damage. It also contains bromelain, an enzyme group that may help to decrease inflammation. It strengthens the immune system and improves digestion.

Use Turmeric

Turmeric may help in water retention because of its anti-inflammatory properties. So, it can be used to prevent bladder infection. Turmeric is very beneficial for the urinary tract, and you should use it freely in your cooking.

Avoid Constipation

Constipation can put pressure on the urinary bladder and worsen the urinary retention symptoms. Avoid constipation by including plenty of high-fiber foods in your diet, such as vegetables, fruits, whole-grain cereals, and beans. Drink plenty of fluids. Exercising regularly can also help prevent constipation.

It is crucial to remember that while the remedies listed above may alleviate some symptoms, they do not tackle the underlying cause of urine retention. If your urinary retention symptoms persist or worsen, it is vital that you seek medical attention right away so that you can receive appropriate treatment.

How To Boost Recovery From Urinary Retention?

Urinary retention is not severe if you take preventative measures at home before worsening. Some guidelines can not prevent further complications but boost recovery from urinary retention.

• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and caffeine; they can irritate the bladder
• Never hold urine for extended periods
• Avoid certain medications that can worsen urinary retention
• Avoid activities that can worsen symptoms, such as lifting heavy objects
• Avoid stress and anxiety
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes, especially from the waist
• Avoid spicy and acidic food

Conclusion

There are various natural and established home remedies for urinary retention, like adding some activities and exercises to your routine, eating certain nutritious foods, and avoiding bladder irritants like alcohol, caffeine, and so on. If you experience retention, try home treatments first, but if the symptoms persist, consult a doctor for professional treatment and diagnosis.