Holding my Pee too long..............for a guy.

[cruiser]

I'm a middle age male - mid 40's, who works in a job which involves a fair amount of driving, stopping, and then driving again. Sometimes my stops are 10 minutes, sometimes they can be up to an hour, it all depends, etc.

During these times of driving, stopping, etc., I will need to go to the bathroom. It's my choice of when I go and when I make time for it. There have been times when I say to myself: "Oh, I'll wait until my next stop....it will be just 10 minutes down the road, etc".

I've gotten in the habit of when I have to go to the bathroom (to urinate), that I'm making a bad habit of holding it. I would like to know from you what are the risks that I'm taking of holding "it" too long. There are times when I finally do go that I don't feel like I completely "empty myself", and thus still have urine in my system, and thus have to go in another 1/2 hour or so.

I heard one time that this could lead to kidney disease...is this true? What other health risks can I be putting my body into?

Appreciate any/all feedback that you could provide on this topic.

thanks,
Cruiser

 

[Health Nurse]

I'm a middle age male - mid 40's, who works in a job which involves a fair amount of driving, stopping, and then driving again. Sometimes my stops are 10 minutes, sometimes they can be up to an hour, it all depends, etc.

During these times of driving, stopping, etc., I will need to go to the bathroom. It's my choice of when I go and when I make time for it. There have been times when I say to myself: "Oh, I'll wait until my next stop....it will be just 10 minutes down the road, etc".

I've gotten in the habit of when I have to go to the bathroom (to urinate), that I'm making a bad habit of holding it. I would like to know from you what are the risks that I'm taking of holding "it" too long. There are times when I finally do go that I don't feel like I completely "empty myself", and thus still have urine in my system, and thus have to go in another 1/2 hour or so.

I heard one time that this could lead to kidney disease...is this true? What other health risks can I be putting my body into?

Appreciate any/all feedback that you could provide on this topic.

thanks,
Cruiser

Hi cruiser

This is not my area of expertise but I can give you some basic information.

It sounds like it is difficult to plan bathroom stops with the type of work that you do.

The bladder is like a big muscle that expands and contracts as it fills and empties with urine. I have heard that if it is left full on a regular basis that it could stretch out. This can affect if you can empty the bladder completely. I wonder if this is what could be happening to you.

An enlarged prostate can also affect urine flow and complete emptying of the bladder.

I would just suggest that you visit your family doctor for a checkup.

I have not heard of any large risks from holding your urine, but I would recommend talking to your doctor about it next time you see them for a check up.

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

 

[cruiser]

thank you for the info, Ms. Nurse.

I do have an appt in the next short while and will discuss the problem with him. I just wanted to see if you have any different thoughts/ideas.

Thanks,
Cruiser

 

[Health Nurse]

thank you for the info, Ms. Nurse.

I do have an appt in the next short while and will discuss the problem with him. I just wanted to see if you have any different thoughts/ideas.

Thanks,
Cruiser

No problem.


HN