The bladder, located in the lower abdomen, stores urine and releases it when a person feels the urge to urinate. In adults, the bladder can typically hold about 400–500 cc of urine. However, a condition known as acute urinary retention can sometimes occur, in which a person is unable to urinate despite feeling a strong urge.
Acute urinary retention can arise from various causes. For example, it may occur when someone takes cold medications containing antihistamines during seasonal illnesses, or when a man with pre-existing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) consumes excessive alcohol. In unexpected situations like these, a person may suddenly be unable to pass urine at all, resulting in an emergency that requires a visit to the emergency room and the insertion of a urinary catheter.
BPH refers to the enlargement of benign prostate tissue that compresses the urethra and interferes with normal urination, leading to various lower urinary tract symptoms. When acute urinary retention is caused by BPH, surgical treatment may sometimes be necessary.
Ignoring acute urinary retention without seeking treatment can lead to more serious problems. If the condition persists for an extended period, the bladder muscles may weaken, gradually impairing bladder function. In addition, increased pressure within the bladder can cause hydronephrosis in the kidneys and potentially worsen kidney function.
Dr. Lee Chang-gi of Goldman Urology Clinic’s Incheon branch explained that in the early stages of BPH, symptoms can usually be improved with medication. However, if the effects are limited, if side effects make long-term medication difficult, or if the prostate continues to enlarge over time and the effectiveness of medication decreases, surgical treatment should be considered. He added that several modern treatment options are now widely available for patients with BPH, including HoLEP surgery, Rezūm therapy, Aquablation treatment, and the iTind procedure.