Urine retention in elderly male due to hypo-contractile bladder treated successfully through Ayurveda - A Case Report

Urine retention is a common problem in elderly people. In male it is often associated with prostatic hypertrophy and can also be associated with hypo contractile bladder. Such functional disorders of bladder do not respond well to conventional medicine and the only respite is given by catheterization either in situ or intermittent as per the requirement. Besides social stigma, catheterization has its own accompanying problems leading to its poor acceptance. Newer approaches like electrical stimulation, Sacral neuro-modulation and stem cell therapy for this clinical condition are still in the process of development. Ayurveda earlier has reported to have successfully treated such cases to the extent of complete recovery. We present here a case of 83 year old male who was not able to pass the urine due to bladder hypo contractility and was on self-retaining catheter for about 2 years, got clinically cured with the help of Ayurveda interventions taken for about a year. A follow up of the case was done for another two years to find him well without any medication. This case endorses the worth of Ayurveda interventions in such cases and warrants a serious enquiry about such interventions to generate more robust evidences.