Why habitual urine retention is harmful to your wellbeing

SOLA OGUNDIPE FROM VANGUARD 

While occasionally delaying a trip to the restroom may seem harmless, habitual suppression of the urge to urinate can have serious health consequences, urologists have warned. By consistently ignoring the urge to visit the toilet, you can weaken your bladder muscles, leading to potential long-term issues.

This happens because the process of urination relies on a complex system in the nervous system. Urine produced by the kidneys moves through tubes known as ureters to the bladder, which can only hold a certain amount.

Normal bladder capacity ranges from 400 to 600 cubic centimetres, but this may be higher for individuals with bladder issues. When the bladder is about half full, nerve receptors send signals to the brain. The brain responds by instructing the bladder to retain urine until it is appropriate to release it.

When you decide to urinate, the brain signals the muscles around the urethra to relax, allowing urine to stay in. At the same time, it tells the bladder muscles to contract, which helps push the urine out.

Individuals in professions with shift work or limited restroom access, such as truck drivers, teachers, and nurses, often suppress the urge to urinate for extended periods. This habit can weaken the bladder over time, leading to potential health issues. Dr. Anurag K. Das, chairman of the Department of Urology at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, explains that while younger individuals may not experience immediate problems, prolonged bladder stretching can lead to incomplete emptying, increasing the risk of infections and other urinary tract issues later in life.

Some people, termed “pathologic holders of urine,” develop what is known as the Hinman syndrome (non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder). These people struggle to relax after learning to hold their bladder for long periods. Extended holding can cause the bladder to back up to the kidneys and in some cases, this can lead to severe kidney damage and kidney failure.

Although holding in your urine is a risk factor for bladder problems, there are many other reasons why you may have difficulty urinating, according to Kim.

For example, in “virtually every” older male, the prostate enlarges and causes “what we call outflow obstruction or constriction of the urethra.