Whether due to a busy day at work or a suspenseful movie, it is normal for people to resist the urge to urinate from time to time. However, it is not advisable to regularly hold urine, as it can result in problems.
The urinary bladder trusted source is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that forms part of the urinary system. The bladder’s role is to store urine until a person is ready to use the restroom.
The capacity of a healthy adult bladder is about 16 ounces. Trusted Source, or 2 cups, of liquid and even less for a child. The bladder can stretch to hold more than this, but doing so too often can be dangerous. It is not advisable to regularly put off going to the bathroom.
Our body has various ways to get rid of unwanted waste materials. One of these ways is through urine. Urine is a liquid waste consisting of unwanted materials like water, salts, urea, uric acid, etc.
The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a urinary bladder and a urethra. The two kidneys filter blood and produce urine, which flows through the ureters and starts getting collected in the urinary bladder. When our urinary bladder starts getting full, and it begins to stretcher expand, the nerves of the bladder inform the brain to produce an urge to urinate. Now, when we want to urinate, the bladder contracts and the urine flows out of the body through the urethra. Once in a while, it's okay to hold our urine. But stress and pressures of modern life make us hold our urine more often and for longer periods, which can have negative effects on our health. For example, a wet and warm bladder of urine is the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Hence, if we don't empty the bladder regularly, then the bacteria are more likely to grow and multiply, causing urinary tract infection or UTI.
Once in a while, it's okay to hold our urine. But stress and pressures of modern life make us hold our urine more often and for longer periods, which can have negative effects on our health. For example, a wet and warm bladder of urine is the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Hence, if we don't empty the bladder regularly, then the bacteria are more likely to grow and multiply, causing urinary tract infection or UTI.
Holding the urine can also cause the bladder to remain expanded or stretched for too long. This may make it difficult for the bladder to contract normally while urinating. As a result, the bladder will not be emptied completely, which can lead to discomfort, pain and other serious problems. Sometimes, the excess urine in the bladder can even flow back to the kidneys, causing kidney damage or kidney infection. In very rare cases, the bladder may even burst, risking the life of the individual.
Holding in urine may cause kidney stones to form in people with a history of the condition or in those who have a high mineral content in their urine. Pee often contains minerals such as uric acid and calcium oxalate.
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