Urinary Obstructions

Symptoms of Urinary Obstruction

For most people, the symptoms of a urinary obstruction occur gradually as the obstruction develops. The earliest symptom may simply be a need to urinate more often. Many people don't notice a problem until the symptoms become pronounced or interfere with normal activities, such as the need to urinate frequently day and night.

Depending on the type and location of the urinary obstruction, other symptoms may include:

For obstructions in the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra):

• Difficulty, pain or stinging while urinating
• Decreased output of urine
• Inability to control urination (incontinence)
• Sensation that the bladder is not completely empty after urinating

For obstructions in the upper urinary tract (kidneys and ureters)

• Pain in the side or back that can:
  • be so severe that it may require narcotics for pain relief
  • travel to the groin, genitals or thigh
  • change in intensity within minutes
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting

The following symptoms may indicate an infection, which can be caused by obstructions:

• Urine that is foul-smelling, bloody, cloudy or abnormal in color
• In older people, mental changes or confusion

If a urinary obstruction is not diagnosed and urine continues to back up and accumulate in the body, additional symptoms can develop, including:

• Hesitancy in initiating urination or straining to urinate
• Slowed, weak or smaller urine stream
• Fever and chills from a urinary tract infection
• Weight gain or swelling (edema) due to kidney failure