One of the more common problems in older adults is urinary incontinence. Various etiologies can impact urinary incontinence, including bladder infection and urinary retention. Urinary retention is the inability to voluntarily void urine can both acute and chronic. Acute urinary retention is an emergency that requires decompression of the bladder and identification of the underlying cause. Chronic urinary retention may be diagnosed by the presence of the following symptoms: obstructive symptoms, abdominal discomforts, and renal insufficiency (Martin et al., 2019).
Additionally, the disorder may cause agitation, disorientation, delirium, behavioral alterations, aggressiveness. The disorder is usually treated by draining the urine to avoid damages to the kidneys. Depending on the cause of the disorder, it can be treated pharmacologically using alpha-blocker, antibiotics, or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK], 2020).
Urinary retention can also be treated surgically by removing a part of the prostate, cystoscopy, laser therapy, and physical therapy (NIDDK, 2020). I would refer patients with the disorder to a physical therapist and surgery to decide on the most appropriate treatment plan.
The common symptoms of bladder infections are cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine, pain or burning feeling during urination, frequent urination, and mild fever (Norman, 2016). The infections are usually diagnosed using blood tests. The common treatment of urinary tract infections is antibiotics. Non-pharmacological approaches include lifestyle changes to avoid bladder problems, such as drinking plenty of fluids, timely urination, and genital hygiene (Norman, 2016). Such patients are usually treated by family physicians, and no referrals are required (Norman, 2016).
References
Martin, J., Chandler, W., & Speakman, M. (2019). Investigating chronic urinary retention. BMJ, l4590. Web.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney. (2020). Treatment of urinary retention. NIH. Web.
Norman, D. C. (2016). Clinical features of infection in older adults. Clinics in geriatric medicine, 32(3), 433-441.