Strangury

STRANGURY (from Greek *stranx-* drop and *ouron-* urine), literally dripping urination, is characterized by sharp urges to urinate accompanied by frequent urges, pain, and is associated with spasmodic contractions of the detrusor. The patient is unable to hold back or suppress the urge and is forced to empty the bladder immediately (involuntary urges). Sometimes urges occur even when there are several cm³ of urine in the bladder (dripping urination). The basis of this symptom is most often inflammatory processes in the neck of the bladder, the trigone of the bladder, and the posterior part of the urethra. This part of the urinary system is normally the most sensitive to all kinds of irritations. Even the touch of an instrument (cystoscope, catheter) to the indicated areas is often sufficient to cause strangury. Strangury is also caused by stones, neoplasms, and tuberculosis of the bladder. Treatment of strangury is mainly reduced to eliminating the cause of the disease. As symptomatic treatment, narcotic substances and heat in the form of baths are applied.