Do you sometimes feel like you can't urinate? Or do you feel like your bladder is full and heavy? If this condition persists, you may have a condition called a 'Distended Bladder'. Don't worry, we'll talk about this in detail.
What is a distended bladder?
Simply put, a 'distended bladder' is when your bladder, the sac that holds your urine, becomes larger and more swollen than normal. Think of it like a balloon. When it fills with water, the balloon swells, right? That's how it is.
The main reason for this is that urine does not flow properly and accumulates in the bladder . We medically call this 'Urinary Retention'. However, not everyone with 'Urinary Retention' has a swollen bladder.
Now look, our kidneys are the ones that filter out the body's unwanted fluids and waste products and make urine. The urine that is produced in this way is stored in the bladder until we need to urinate. When the bladder is full, it sends a signal to our brain saying, "Okay, I need to urinate now."
Urinary retention is when your bladder is full, but you can't empty it completely. What happens then? The bladder gradually stretches and becomes larger, or swollen, to hold more urine. That's what we call a 'distended bladder.'
Is this a medical emergency?
A distended bladder alone is not usually a medical emergency. However, if you are unable to urinate at all, or only passing a small amount of urine, and it is accompanied by severe pain, it may be an emergency. This is called acute urinary retention. If you are unable to urinate with such severe pain, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
What are the symptoms of bladder inflammation?
In this case, you may see symptoms like these:
- Leaking urine (we also call this 'urinary incontinence').
- A sudden, urgent need to urinate.
- Feeling pain, pressure, or tightness in or around the lower abdomen.
- Other symptoms of urinary retention include passing very little urine, a weak urine stream, or a feeling of needing to urinate again after you have finished urinating .
However, some people may not notice these major symptoms.
What causes this?
The main reason for bladder swelling is that urine does not flow properly and accumulates. There can be a number of reasons for this. Let's see what they are:
- Interference:
- Bladder stones
- A tumor (`Tumor`)
- Enlarged prostate in men
- Things like constipation can block the urinary tract.
- If a baby's bladder swells in the womb (`Fetal megacystis`), the main cause is a condition called ``Lower urinary tract obstructions (LUTOs)``. That is, there is an obstruction in the lower part of the urinary tract.
- Inflammation (swelling):
- If there is any inflammation in the bladder or urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder), it may also prevent you from emptying your urine properly.
- These types of inflammatory conditions can be caused by injury or urinary tract infections.
- Neurological conditions:
- Some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke, as well as some medications (especially opioids), can cause the brain to not properly send signals when the bladder is full. This can make it difficult to empty your bladder in time.
- Surgery:
- Anesthesia, which is used to numb the pain during surgery, can sometimes interfere with the ability to empty the bladder.
- Scarring or swelling caused by pelvic surgery can also cause blockage of the bladder or urethra.
What are the possible complications of bladder inflammation?
Sometimes, even after treatment, bladder swelling can cause some difficulty urinating (`Bladder dysfunction`). For example:
- Little leakage of urine.
- Feeling the need to urinate even when you don't need to.
- Inability to completely empty the bladder.
How do you recognize this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. He may press on your lower abdomen and ask if you have any pain. If he suspects that your bladder is swollen, he may order something like an ultrasound scan.
If you are a pregnant mother, a prenatal ultrasound can sometimes detect that your baby's bladder is swollen.
What tests are done for this?
Doctors can diagnose this condition by looking at your bladder using an ultrasound. In particular, they can use a 'post-void residual urine test' to see how well you empty your bladder. This involves looking at your bladder with an 'ultrasound' machine after you've finished urinating (after you've passed as much urine as possible). It can also help find the cause of any problems.
The doctor may also perform additional tests to determine the cause of urinary retention.
How is this treated?
Doctors mainly treat this by removing the extra urine that has accumulated in the bladder. If you are unable to urinate at all, the first thing your doctor will do is remove the urine before trying to find the cause or making any other diagnosis.
Then, the underlying cause of the condition (often urinary retention) is identified and treated. This may involve medication, surgery, or other methods.
Fetal megacystis (swelling of the bladder in a baby in the womb) can sometimes get better on its own as the baby grows.
Specific methods of treating bladder swelling
The most common method is called ``Transurethral bladder catheterization.'' This involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) through your urethra (the opening where you urinate) into your bladder and then draining the urine. The doctor may use this tube to empty your bladder once, or he may leave it in place for a few days or weeks.
Whether or not to treat fetal megacystis depends on the situation. Treatment options include:
- Vesicocentesis: A procedure in which a doctor uses a needle to remove fluid from the fetus's bladder.
- Vesicoamniotic shunt: A doctor inserts a tube into the fetus's bladder and drains fluid through it.
Side effects of treatment
After the catheter is removed, you may experience things like:
- A small amount of blood in the urine (`Hematuria`).
- Needing to urinate frequently.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension).
But don't worry, most of the time these side effects are temporary and will get better in a few days.
How quickly will I feel better after treatment?
You will start to feel some relief as soon as the doctor empties your bladder. The length of time you will need additional treatment will depend on the cause of your urinary retention.
What can I expect if I have bladder inflammation?
A swollen bladder can be painful, and it can mean you're not urinating enough. This can be treated by inserting a catheter to drain the bladder. You may also need to continue treatment for the underlying cause.
If you are pregnant and your unborn baby has bladder swelling, talk to your prenatal care provider for more information.
Can bladder inflammation be prevented?
If you have chronic conditions that can cause urinary retention, managing them well can help prevent bladder swelling. However, in some cases, such as bladder swelling after surgery or fetal megacystis, it is not possible to prevent it.
When should I go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
If you are unable to urinate and have severe pain, go to the nearest emergency room or seek medical advice immediately. Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency. Don't ignore it.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
It may be helpful to ask your doctor questions like these:
- Why did this happen to me?
- What should I do to prevent something like this from happening again?
- What treatment options do I have?
- Will I need to continue treatment?
Finally, things to remember
Bladder inflammation can usually be treated by emptying the bladder. However, it is important to treat the underlying cause of urinary retention. If you have difficulty urinating, or if you have pain in or around your lower abdomen, especially if you have recently had surgery, tell your doctor. Bladder inflammation is not an emergency, but the inability to urinate at all can be an emergency. So if you have any concerns, never delay seeking medical advice. Your health is very important to you.
` Bladder swelling, urinary retention, difficulty urinating, bladder, kidneys, urinary symptoms, urinary treatment
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