What condition does dysuria refer to?

Dysuria refers specifically to the experience of pain, discomfort, or difficulty while urinating. This condition can be a symptom of various underlying issues, including urinary tract infections, bladder inflammation, or other urinary tract diseases. When patients describe having dysuria, they typically report a burning sensation or discomfort that occurs during the act of urination.

Understanding this term is crucial for healthcare providers as it helps in diagnosing the underlying condition associated with the symptom. The other options, while related to urinary issues, do not accurately capture the specific nature of dysuria. Frequent urination pertains to the need to urinate more often than usual, while the inability to urinate indicates a more severe issue, such as urinary retention. Increased urine output might suggest other conditions like diabetes or excessive fluid intake but does not relate to the painful experience that dysuria describes.