Unsavory Details of Holding Your Urine: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Nature’s Call

Home > Health & Wellness > Unsavory Details of Holding Your Urine: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Nature’s Call

Health & Wellness

In our hustle culture, it’s far too easy to put off a visit to the bathroom. Whether out of a long meeting or a busy movie, or just from being too lazy to get up, many of us have no problem keeping our urine in. Ignoring the urge to pee may seem harmless on certain occasions, but consistently holding in your bodily fluids can lead to long-term health issues. From the risk of permanent bladder damageto other problems, the negative side effects of repeatedly holding it in are actually a lot more serious than you may think.

1. Urinary Tract Infection

One of the most common and immediate negative effects of holding pee is the risk of having a urinary tract infection (UTI). Infection can become a problem because bacteria that should be flushed out by the rinse of urine go there to multiply, if urine sits in the bladder too long. Women are more likely because they have shorter urethras, but men are not immune. Symptoms of a UTI can be a burning feeling when you pee, having to go all the time and even lower abdominal pain. Untreated, the infection can travel up the kidneys and lead to more serious complications such as fever, back pain, and even kidney damage. The tiny act of temporarily packing in that bathroom stop can unleash a cascade of ill effects that transform a minor inconvenience into a dangerous health condition.

2. Bladder Muscles’ Weakness

In addition to infections, chronic urine retention can over time weaken the bladder muscles. The bladder is a muscle built to stretch and then squeeze as it fills and empties. But when it is repeatedly stretched to the brink, those muscles can be overextended and the elasticity can be lost. This may cause men to experience urinary retention, which is when the bladder doesn’t empty fully, or overactive bladder (OAB), a condition in which the bladder contracts involuntarily These contractions can lead to sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate. In more serious cases, prolonged holding can even lead to urinary incontinence, when people can´t control their bladder at all. So what begins as a bad habit can become a lifelong battle with bladder control.

3. Damage to Kidneys

Another less well-known risk is damage to the kidneys. Waste from the blood is filtered through the kidneys, which make urine that then travels to the bladder to be stored. When that urine isn’t regularly expelled, pressure can build up in the urinary system, with waste products potentially pushed back toward the kidneys. This backward flow, called vesicoureteral reflux, can boost the odds of kidney infections and, eventually, lead to scarred kidneys or possibly chronic kidney disease. It is more common in kids, but adults who have a habit of holding their urine can pay a hefty price to their renal system as well.

4. Psychological Problems

The psychological impact of chronic urine retention also shouldn't be underestimated. The sensation of a full bladder can be distracting, uncomfortable, and even anxiety-provoking, especially when there may be limited access to the bathroom. This can set in motion a cycle of stress, where people perceive their body complaining on one hand while the modern world imposes on the other. In children, that can be associated with something called dysfunctional voiding, in which the bladder and the pelvic muscles aren’t coordinating the way they should, and it can cause chronic urinary trouble.

Though modern life may often require delaying basic bodily needs, it’s important to remember that the bladder was not created to be ignored. Paying attention to what your body is telling you can spare you from a lot of what is avoidable in the way of health problems. If you have situations where you often avoid urinating because of work obligations or other circumstances, you may want to try some easy ways to change that by, for example, using reminders to go to the bathroom, hydrating yourself without going overboard before long events, and making a doctor’s appointment if you’re dealing with ongoing pain. The bladder might be the quiet organ, but its needs should not be silenced for convenience. Being mindful about when it is time to go to the bathroom can be an easy tool for the prevention of urinary health and overall health.

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