Urinary Retention
The bladder is an organ in the pelvis, which functions to store and empty urine. Storage and emptying of urine is coordinated by the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and nerves in the pelvis). An inability to adequately empty the bladder will lead to urinary retention
If urinary retention happens suddenly, it is often accompanied by severe lower abdominal pain coupled with an inability to urinate. This is almost always an emergency, and should be evaluated by medical professional right away.
Urinary retention can also happen slowly, over time. When this occurs, there are often only mildly bothersome urinary symptoms, such as frequency of urination, urgency of urination, or incontinence. If left untreated for too long, urinary retention can lead to urinary tract infections, kidney failure, or irreversible bladder failure requiring lifelong catheter dependence