title: Acute urinary retention.
abstract: Urinary retention is most commonly caused by obstruction in men and neuromuscular dysfunction in women. A careful history, physical examination, and urethral catheterization will lead to the correct diagnosis in the majority of cases. For nonobstructive causes, a careful survey of the patient's other illnesses and medications will often lead to diagnosis. Successful treatment of nonobstructing causes can be effectively managed by the primary care physician.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014554:Urination; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy