Urinary Bladder Distention - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Introduction

The bladder is one of the systems that can be difficult to treat with carers or medical teams. Other urination issues, such as urinary incontinence, might limit independence and make older individuals feel alone and isolated. Unaddressed urinary and bladder diseases can be challenging to spot if a person is reluctant to bring up the subject freely. Therefore, it is critical to understand how to identify and treat such conditions. Urology-related diseases can also result in a swollen bladder in addition to incontinence, bladder spasms, and a frequent urge to urinate. Lightyear Health can assist with whatever needs a patient or carer may have. We think it is important to connect the medical and healthcare fields so that patients feel heard and family carers have the knowledge they need to take care of their loved ones.

What Is an Overly Distended Bladder?

Typically, as the bladder fills with urine, it swells like a water balloon. The bladder returns to its empty size after a person uses the restroom. It can, however, overfill and cause a bloated bladder. A distended bladder typically happens when the bladder muscles lose their tone, making it difficult for them to recognize the increased pressure that the pee is exerting. There may occasionally be a blockage that prevents urine from entering the urethra. Pain, a fullness sensation, and the need to urinate frequently could result from this. A swollen or inflamed bladder is referred to as having a distended bladder. In addition to causing swelling, pressure on the bladder from either an internal or external source can also result in the need to urinate even when the bladder is empty. It might be challenging to tell whether there is a real need to use the restroom because of the persistent feeling of pressure on the bladder. A person may find it challenging to maintain their independence throughout the day as a result of this, which can be irritating.

What Are the Types of Urinary Retention?

• Acute Retention of Urine: This suggests the disease is abrupt and is escalating swiftly. Considered a medical emergency, it could be a severe case of urine retention.

• Chronic Retention of Urine: That indicates that you have had the condition for a while. This kind of urine retention is slower and more gradual, and it May even have no symptoms. Spinal cord injuries and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) Are two conditions that can result in prolonged urine retention.

What Are the Causes of Urinary Distended Bladder?

The easier it is to receive care and therapy, the more you will understand what causes a bloated bladder. The following are some of the most typical causes of symptoms of a distended bladder:

• Infection: An infection of the bladder, urinary tract, or tissues nearby is the most typical cause of a dilated bladder. Infections can increase the urge to urinate, which, over time, may have an impact on the bladder's muscle strength and capacity. The infection's extra pressure may prevent the bladder from entirely emptying during urination, which means the bladder never completely empties. This can effectively decrease the bladder's flexibility, causing it to stay bloated or enlarged. People should have access to the help they need to lessen any long-term side effects because there are numerous indicators that may suggest this illness early on.

• Medications: Patients may develop a distended bladder disease as a result of taking new medications or increasing the dose of their present medications if they have unexpected symptoms out of the blue. When attempting a new drug, always discuss any potential side effects or interactions with your doctor. Certain prescriptions might induce or exacerbate urine incontinence and other related adverse effects. Other causes of bladder distension include over-the-counter medicines. Antihistamines in particular, as well as other allergy or cold drugs, may exacerbate the enlarged bladder problem, particularly in men.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Many illnesses that at first glance seem unconnected can actually affect the bladder and result in symptoms like urine incontinence. These neurological diseases can be long-lasting or sudden, like strokes, and they can harm the spinal cord. A negative anesthetic reaction may have a comparable impact. Patients should also think about any other recurring illnesses that might be a factor in the growth of an enlarged bladder, such as diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of a Urinary Distended Bladder?

People need to be aware of and comprehend frequent signs before diagnosing the cause of a dilated bladder. Here are some of the most typical warning signs that patients and carers should be on the lookout for :

• Strong Pain: A bloated bladder is frequently accompanied by sharp pain, especially in the lower back, belly, and bladder. Those who have a dilated bladder could also have uncomfortable urinating.

• Urine Leaks: They are frequently present with a swollen bladder, as they are with many bladder diseases. This could flow continuously or just occasionally when you cough or sneeze.

• Swollen Bladder: Difficulty Individuals who have trouble voiding their bladder may be showing signs of a swollen bladder. It may be a sign of a swollen bladder issue if you experience difficulty urinating, low pressure urination, or are managing the effects of urine incontinence.

• Sweating and Fever: An enlarged bladder may also have an impact on other bodily systems, causing or contributing to an infection.

• Anxiety and High Blood Pressure: Medical conditions frequently have an impact on our emotional and mental well-being. Individuals with high blood pressure and additional symptoms of bladder or urine issues may have a distended bladder condition. A physical reaction to the disease may also include acute anxiety, which manifests as difficulty breathing, sweating, chest tightness, and difficulty concentrating.

What Are the Treatments of Urinary Bladder Distention?

The good news is that a number of the underlying diseases, as well as the symptoms of a distended bladder, can be managed in different ways. Below are a few of the most often-used therapy approaches:

• Diet and Lifestyle Changes: An acidic diet or a diet high in alcohol and caffeine can both cause bladder inflammation. When a patient does not drink enough water during the course of the day, bladder and kidney stones may form. A distended bladder and associated symptoms may be treated by altering food and lifestyle, depending on the underlying reason.

• Medication Changes: Acute bladder distention may be brought on by prescription or over-the-counter medication since drugs that treat one ailment can have negative interactions with other conditions in the body. To find a treatment with fewer side effects, talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options. If an infection is the cause of the bladder distension, antibiotics and other drugs can help to lessen the inflammation. This can relieve some of the strain on the bladder and ease annoying sensations.

• Surgery: If the bladder has inflated due to a blockage or obstruction, surgery can be required. There are a number of possible surgical procedures that can help to cleanse the bladder so that it can void correctly and the impulses to urinate uncontrollably are diminished. To identify the underlying cause of the distended bladder issue and to establish the best course of therapy, your medical team will need to do urine tests, pelvic examinations, and other diagnostic procedures.

Conclusion:

A distended bladder is most frequently caused by an infection, a drug, or a persistent illness. It can be treated with lifestyle modifications, medication adjustments, or surgical procedures. Individuals should talk to their doctor about treatment options for a distended bladder if they experience symptoms including trouble emptying the bladder, uncomfortable urination, high blood pressure, or anxiety during or after using the restroom.