Title: The Hidden Dangers of Holding It In: How Delaying Urination Can Impact Your Kidneys
Subheading: Understand the signs and risks of a common habit that could potentially harm your health.
Article:
Holding in urine occasionally usually isn’t a cause for concern, but doing so too frequently can pose serious health risks, including damage to your kidneys. The risks depend on why and how often you’re delaying urination.
Dr. Jason Kim, a clinical professor of urology at Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, explains that there’s a complex neural network controlling the bladder. "After your bladder is about half full, sensory nerves signal your brain that it’s time to go," he says. "But your brain can override this signal until it’s more socially convenient."
However, regularly overriding this signal can lead to several health issues.
The Risks of Holding In Urine
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Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Holding in urine can increase the risk of UTIs, which are caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract. "When you urinate, healthy urine flushes bacteria from your urinary tract," says Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health. "But holding it in can give bacteria a place to grow." This is why it’s especially important for women, who are anatomically more prone to UTIs, to urinate after intercourse.
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Kidney Damage: Unaddressed UTIs can spread to the kidneys, leading to an infection called pyelonephritis. If left untreated, this can develop into urosepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Weakened Bladder Muscles: Regularly holding in urine can cause the bladder muscles to become tense and weak. This makes it harder for your bladder to empty completely, creating a vicious cycle: the more urine left in the bladder, the greater the risk of infection.
In severe cases, holding in urine can lead to urine reflux, where urine flows back into the kidneys. This can cause infections, kidney damage, or even hydronefrosis, a condition where the kidneys swell due to urine backup.
Other symptoms of prolonged urine retention can include abdominal pain, cramps, or even kidney stones.
Protecting Your Kidney Health
Urologists stress the importance of not delaying urination to maintain healthy urinary and kidney function. By understanding the risks, we can be more mindful of heeding our body’s natural urges.
Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
Originally published on DetikHealth.
