What happens if you wait too long to pee

Believe it or not, the more you put off emptying your bladder, the more it stretches out. Chamandeep Bali, a naturopathic doctor at the Toronto Naturopathic Health Clinic told the Huffington Post that once the bladder stretches, your brain can lose its ability to know when you have to go. That critical message your bladder sends to your brain when it's time to go, can go unnoticed.

Which could potentially mean Now that would be embarrassing, and in my opinion, could possibly be a worst-case scenario. Many of us have been there: that "just barely made it" scenario, where the bathroom line may have been just slightly too long, after you sprinted to get there.

It's more likely to happen to young children and the elderly , but that doesn't mean it can't happen to you if you push your bladder too far. Cue the adult diapers! These infections occur because bacteria has made its way into the urinary tract, which then causes symptoms like burning, the need to urinate frequently, and pelvic pain, among others.

But UTI's aren't actually a direct result of holding in your pee. If you don't empty your bladder enough, your body becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which can then cause a UTI.

Typically, a person urinates about 8 times during the day and no more than once per night after going to bed. Children should also not urinate fewer than 3 times per day, according to the Urology Care Foundation. The frequency of peeing depends on how much the person is drinking and issues such as convenience. Typically, a person should pee about every 3—4 hours. Certain bladder conditions can influence how often a person pees. These are not expected elements of aging.

Anyone with any urinary symptoms should consult a healthcare provider, especially if they may have one of the issues described below. A person with an overactive bladder feels sudden, strong urges to urinate and experiences bladder leakage if they do not reach a restroom quickly. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, Botox injections, and the implantation of nerve stimulators.

Urinary incontinence occurs when a person loses control over the ability to hold in and release urine. An overactive bladder falls within this category. It is more common for females than males to experience urinary tract infections UTIs. This type of infection can irritate the bladder and increase urinary frequency.

Doctors typically treat UTIs with antibiotics. These include :. The increased pressure on the bladder can cause the rupture if there are any weak areas in the bladder wall. If a person does not receive a diagnosis and treatment quickly, a bladder rupture can cause life threatening complications, including sepsis , which involves severe infection and kidney failure. Luckily, holding gas does not have serious or harmful side effects.

However, it can cause bloating and discomfort. Susan A. Werner , M. T o schedule an appointment with Dr. Werner, click here , call or visit Geisinger. In the worst of circumstances, your bladder may stretch to hold even more than 2 cups of fluid. Your bladder is an expandable organ. The process of emptying your bladder is not unlike a muscle contraction.

Two tubes called ureters bring filtered urine down from your kidneys and into your bladder. Research tells us that the bladder has a direct line of communication with your brain. Your bladder is full of receptors that tell your brain how full your bladder is. When your urine reaches that point, your brain receives a signal that indicates you need to pee.

This happens when your bladder is only a quarter of the way full. Complications and other health problems with your bladder can lead to conditions like incontinence , overactive bladder , and urinary retention.

The dangers of holding your pee are mostly cumulative. In general, you should go when you feel the need to go! Your chances of dying from holding in pee are very, very low. This can result in a burst bladder.

If your bladder were to burst, you would need medical attention immediately. A burst bladder is a life-threatening condition. This can lead to a UTI, which can escalate to all sorts of complications, including sepsis. Again, this is the exception, not the rule. Normal urination frequency varies widely from person to person. Infants and children have smaller bladders, so they need to empty their bladders more often.

Infants typically produce six to eight wet diapers a day, but can urinate much more than that.