Do you ever find yourself working long hours and skip your chance for a bathroom break? Do you often end up “holding it” for an extended time? This can cause damage to your bladder.
Remember when you were young and your parents would say “you can come back and play but you need to go to the bathroom?” We tend to forget this simple rule when it comes to emptying our bladders.
Your bladder can hold about two cups of urine. Even though your bladder can hold slightly more if needed, it’s a bad idea to push it beyond its capacity. Using the restroom when needed is a major health factor that most forget about.
Don’t ignore your body telling you to go. Holding your bladder for long periods of time can have adverse effects like UTIs or other issues. Bladders that aren’t emptied when needed can lead to renal failure due to electrolyte issues since metabolic waste leaves the body when urinating.
If you have an enlarged prostate, it can lead to retaining urine involuntarily. This may make it difficult to use the bathroom.
You should not make a habit of holding your urine all the time. Find a way to take short bathroom breaks. If you know that your work schedule is hectic, take advantage of down times even when you don’t feel the need to go. Or set reminders if you get busy and distracted for short breaks. For the sake of your health, don’t just hold it!
If you are experiencing bladder issues, we can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our expert doctors.
