Medical Health Encyclopedia

Bladder outlet obstruction

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Kidney anatomy Female urinary tract Male urinary tract Kidney - blood and urine flow

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Bladder outlet obstruction

Definition:

Bladder outlet obstruction occurs at the base of the bladder, and reduces or prevents the flow of urine into the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body).

Alternative Names:
BOO; Lower urinary tract obstruction; Prostatism

Text Continues Below

---

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Bladder outlet obstruction can have many different causes. Some of the most common causes of BOO are:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
• Bladder calculi (stones)
• Urethral stricture (scar tissue)
• Bladder tumors (cancer)
• Pelvic tumors (cervix, prostate, uterus, rectal)

Less common causes of bladder outlet obstruction include:

• Cystocele
• Posterior urethral valves (congenital birth defect)
• Foreign objects
• Urethral spasms
• Urethral diverticula

Bladder outlet obstruction is most common in aging men, and is often caused by BPH. Bladder stones and bladder cancer are also more commonly seen in men than women. As a man ages, the chance of developing these diseases increases dramatically. One in three American males over the age of 60 has significant symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction.

• Bladder stones
• Obstructive nephropathy
• Reflux nephropathy
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.