What does the term "dysuria" refer to?

The term "dysuria" specifically refers to painful urination. This condition can manifest as discomfort or burning sensations during the act of urination and is often associated with infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis or urethritis. Understanding this term is essential as it is commonly used in medical contexts to describe a symptom that can indicate underlying health issues, requiring diagnosis and treatment. The other terms refer to different urination-related issues: frequent urination indicates an increased need to urinate, inability to urinate refers to urinary retention or anuria, and bloody urine is a condition known as hematuria. Each of these conditions varies from dysuria in both symptom and underlying causes.