Hello, I’m Dr Fiona Wu, a consultant urologist at Aare Urocare, and I would like to share more about a common urological condition called voiding dysfunction.
What is voiding dysfunction?
Voiding dysfunction is not a single disease but a group of symptoms that affect urination. It can be challenging to diagnose because it may involve different parts of the urinary system. Patients usually present with symptoms such as:
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Difficulty starting the urine stream
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Slow or weak urine flow
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A sensation of incomplete emptying
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Sudden strong urges to urinate (urgency)
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Waking up more than once at night to urinate (nocturia)
These symptoms often interfere with daily life, causing frequent bathroom visits or long stays in the toilet due to difficulty finishing urination.
How does normal urination work?
A healthy voiding cycle requires coordination between the brain, spinal cord, bladder, and bladder outlet. When it is time to urinate, the brain signals the bladder muscle to contract and push urine out, while the bladder outlet muscles relax to allow flow. Once empty, the outlet closes again.
What happens in voiding dysfunction?
In voiding dysfunction, this cycle is disrupted. Problems may arise from the bladder itself, the outlet muscles (pelvic floor or urinary sphincter), or nerve signals controlling the process. Because different components can be involved, a proper diagnosis is crucial to identify the root cause and guide the right treatment. PRIME
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