Urological emergencies can be like a nightmare and need instant medical care. They involve sudden problematic issues with the urinary tract or the male reproductive organs and can range from intense painful to fatal conditions. Spotting the signs of these emergencies is necessary for long-term complications prevention.
The most common urological emergencies, their symptoms, and when to seek urgent medical care.
Kidney Stones: Severe Pain and Discomfort
Kidney stones which are hard or solid structures that form in the kidneys can be a major cause of pain, especially if they block the urinary tract. Smaller stones can sometimes be passed out naturally, bigger ones may cause severe complications such as infection or damage to the kidneys.
Symptoms of a kidney stone include:
● Sharp pains that hurt in the lower back or the abdomen.
● Blood in the urine
● Difficulty urinating or complete blockage
● Fever and chills, which could indicate infection
If you experience these symptoms, especially with fever and difficulty urinating, it’s essential to seek emergency care. Untreated kidney stones can lead to infections and permanent damage to the kidneys.
Acute Urinary Retention: Inability to Urinate
Acute urinary retention is a sudden condition where a person finds it impossible to pass urine, which can lead to extreme pain. It can be caused by the prostate, kidney stones, or nerve problems.
Symptoms include:
● Lower abdomen pain
● Swelling in the lower abdomenUrgency to urinate
This condition requires instant care, mainly involving a catheter to get rid of the pressure. Untreated, this can result in the bladder being damaged or the kidneys being non-functional.
Testicular Torsion: A Time-Sensitive Emergency
Testicular torsion is a condition that occurs due to the twister of the spermatic cord which leads to the harp of the blood discharge to the testis. Such a situation is usually very common in teenage boys but there are cases where it can occur at any age.
Symptoms of testicular torsion include:
● Sudden, intense pain in one testicle
● Swelling of the scrotum
● Nausea and vomiting
Testicular torsion is a medical emergency. Surgery must be performed within hours to restore blood flow and save the affected testicle. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent damage or loss of the testicle.
Priapism: A Painful, Prolonged Erection
Priapism is a disorder where an erection may last longer than four hours. This can be extremely painful and, if left untreated, can result in permanent tissue damage and erectile dysfunction.
Symptoms include:
● An erection lasting more than four hours
● Painful and rigid penis
Immediate medical attention is essential for treating priapism. Failure to treat it can result in irreversible damage to the erectile tissues.
Severe Infections: UTIs and Urosepsis
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are life-threatening if they spread to the kidneys and the bloodstream, causing urosepsis. It's a critical emergency and needs immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of severe UTI or urosepsis include:
● High fever
● Chills and shivering
● Confusion or disorientation
● Rapid heartbeat
If a UTI progresses to urosepsis, immediate medical intervention is required to prevent organ failure and death. Antibiotics and hospitalization are often necessary.
Bladder Rupture: A Rare but Serious Condition
Bladder rupture is a rare phenomenon but usually happens after severe trauma such as a car accident. Leaking of urine into the surrounding areas is the main reason for the bladder tear which can lead to severe complications.
Symptoms include:
● Severe lower abdominal pain
● Blood in the urine
● Difficulty urinating
Bladder rupture requires emergency surgery to repair the damage and prevent infection. If you experience these symptoms after trauma, seek medical care immediately.
