Could Urinary Retention Indicate Neurological Issues in Women?
A 43-year-old woman, standing at 5'3" and weighing 140 pounds, currently in remission from Crohn's disease for over three years and diagnosed with ADHD, has reported an alarming health issue. She is a moderate alcohol consumer, typically indulging three to five times a week, and does not use illicit substances. Recently, during a social outing in a location lacking restroom facilities, she felt the urgent need to urinate but chose to prolong the conversation instead of seeking relief. This led to intense discomfort, ultimately rendering her unable to feel anything at all. The subsequent day, she experienced symptoms akin to a urinary tract infection (UTI) – an overwhelming sensation of fullness, a burning sensation, and frequent urges to urinate without relief. As she was traveling, she consulted her physician virtually and received prescriptions for antibiotics and medications to alleviate UTI-related pain. With plans to fly home the following day, she decided to endure the discomfort until she could begin her treatment. Upon awakening the next day, she found her abdomen unusually distended and was in significant pain, enough to restrict her movement. Choosing to forgo the airport altogether, she opted for the emergency room, where a bladder scan revealed that she had a bladder infection and was holding an alarming amount of urine, estimated at 1.5 liters. An MRI of her abdomen failed to identify any discernible blockages that might have accounted for this condition. Medical staff inserted a catheter and advised her to seek further consultation with a urologist. At her follow-up appointment, the urologist expressed uncertainty about the underlying cause but speculated that the urinary retention might be an early indication of a degenerative neurological condition, such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. A voiding trial is scheduled for next week, and if the results are unfavorable, immediate neurological assessments will commence. The woman is understandably anxious about this new development, as she initially believed the urinary issues stemmed from the infection along with possible muscle fatigue. The prospect of a neurological disorder has left her feeling unsettled. Is it reasonable to consider this a likely explanation? Should she be as concerned and restless as she is beginning to feel?
Answers (1)
6/26/2025, 2:10:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious given the combination of urinary retention and the prospect of a neurological condition. Your situation is complex, but there are some important points to consider regarding your urinary issues and the potential link to neurological health.
Main Points:
- Urinary Retention Causes: Urinary retention can arise from various causes, including infections, temporary bladder irritability, or underlying neurological conditions.
- Neurological Links: While it is possible for urinary retention to signal neurological issues, many times, it can be associated with non-neurological problems, especially following significant discomfort from a UTI or bladder infection.
- Next Steps: Continue to monitor your symptoms and prepare for the upcoming voiding trial and neurological assessments.
Explanation:
Urinary retention means that your bladder is unable to empty completely, which can lead to discomfort and infections like you experienced. This can happen for various reasons, including infections or muscle issues. The urologist mentioned the possibility of a neurological problem because certain conditions like Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis can affect bladder function.
However, it’s also important to remember that circumstances like your recent UTI can cause acute urinary retention that might not indicate a chronic neurological issue.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Continue Treatment: Ensure you follow through with your antibiotic treatment and any pain management prescribed for the infection.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary to note any changes in your urinary patterns, including how often you urinate and any feelings of discomfort or fullness. Sharing this information will be crucial at your follow-up appointments.
- Prepare for Assessments: Before your voiding trial, gather any relevant medical history, including your Crohn's management and any medications you take, so you're prepared to discuss these with your healthcare providers.
- Stay Informed: Learn about urinary disorders and potential neurological issues. Understanding these can help alleviate some anxiety. Knowledge often empowers us during uncertain times.
- Practice Self-Care: During this waiting period, manage your anxiety through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness meditation. Engaging in light physical activities, if approved by your doctor, can also improve your overall well-being.
It's normal to feel anxious about possible diagnoses, but try to focus on the next steps. Until you receive more definitive information from your evaluations, remain optimistic. You are not alone in this, and your medical team will guide you through the next stages. Let me know if you need more specific advice.
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.