Medically, holding urine is termed forced urinary retention. As the saying goes, "Still waters rot." Regular urination not only expels metabolic waste but also self-cleanses the urinary system.Prolonged urine retention causes urine to accumulate in the bladder. Urine containing bacteria and toxins remains trapped, while bladder distension compresses blood vessels in the bladder wall. This leads to ischemia of the bladder mucosa and reduced resistance, allowing bacteria to invade and proliferate. This can easily cause diseases such as cystitis, urethritis, dysuria, hematuria, or enuresis.
Holding urine also induces physiological and psychological tension. It can elevate blood pressure in hypertensive patients and trigger arrhythmia or even angina in coronary heart disease patients. For elderly individuals with preexisting cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions, this is akin to adding fuel to the fire. Prostate enlargement is common among the elderly, and prolonged urine retention further exacerbates the discomfort of an already enlarged prostate.
International research indicates a strong correlation between urinary frequency and bladder cancer incidence. Less frequent urination increases bladder cancer risk, as holding urine prolongs exposure to carcinogens in urine. Studies suggest individuals with a habit of holding urine face a 3-5 times higher risk of developing bladder cancer compared to the general population.