cuida tu salud urinaria en el Festival de la Primavera

Title: Take Care of Your Urinary Health During the Spring Festival Author: Dr. Yang Jian, Chief of Urology, Hunan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Published by: Hunan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Summary: During the Spring Festival, retaining urine can damage the bladder. It is recommended to plan trips and care for urinary health.

The Spring travel season has fully begun, and the flow of vehicles returning home and visiting friends and family has turned into a long line on the highways. Heavy traffic and minutes that feel like hours have become the norm for many people on their journey. Faced with a sea of cars that seems endless, many opt to hold back their need to visit the restroom, thinking that if they endure a little longer, they will reach the service area.

Dr. Yang Jian, head of the urology department at the Hunan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, reminds everyone: on the road, traffic may stop, but health should never be "blocked". Although holding urine may seem like a minor issue, it can actually cause real damage to the urinary system.

Holding urine can lead to several dangers, including: 1. Urinary tract infections: Prolonged retention of urine can allow bacteria to proliferate in the bladder, leading to urinary tract infections. 2. Bladder dysfunction: Continually holding urine can result in a loss of elasticity in the bladder muscles, affecting normal urination. 3. Kidney damage: Severe cases of urine retention can cause backflow of urine, potentially harming the kidneys. 4. Abdominal discomfort and pain: Holding urine can cause abdominal discomfort, pain, or cramps. 5. Difficulty urinating: Extended urine retention may make subsequent urination difficult, leading to urinary obstruction. 6. Psychological stress: Fear or anxiety regarding urine retention can lead to mental stress and discomfort. Therefore, it is advised to urinate in a timely manner to maintain the health of the urinary system.

Under normal conditions, when the bladder stores between 200 and 300 milliliters of urine, the body begins to feel the urge to urinate. Urinating on time is crucial for maintaining urinary system health. However, during the congestion of spring travel, space becomes limited, the environment is uncomfortable, and concerns about moving the vehicle make holding it in an "inevitable option". Prolonged and frequent urine retention can have far more serious consequences than you might think.

1. Direct damage to bladder function: the bladder functions as a flexible "water reservoir", and when it is excessively filled for a long time, the muscles of the bladder wall are continuously stretched, which leads to a gradual decrease in elasticity. Over time, this can result in difficulties in urination, the feeling of incomplete urination, increased urinary frequency, urgency, and even a reduction in bladder contraction capacity. Once this type of damage occurs, it is difficult to achieve full recovery.

2. Causing urinary tract infections and cystitis: urine contains metabolic waste and bacteria, and normal urination can eliminate bacteria from the body. Retaining urine allows it to sit in the bladder for too long, which facilitates bacterial multiplication, leading to conditions like urethritis and cystitis, with symptoms including heaviness in the lower abdomen and burning in the urethra.

3. Significantly increased risk of urinary tract stones: During the spring transport period, drinking little water, sitting for long periods, and holding the urge to urinate can largely concentrate the urine. This leads to the crystallization and deposition of substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, facilitating the formation of stones in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

4. Causes hydronephrosis and damages renal function: if urine is retained for too long and pressure in the bladder is too high, urine may reflux into the kidneys, causing hydronephrosis. If this occurs repeatedly over the long term, it can directly damage renal function. This is a very serious consequence that can easily be overlooked.

During self-driving in the spring transport period, to avoid holding urine and protect urinary health, consider the following suggestions: 1. Plan routes and rest areas in advance: before departure, plan your driving route and select rest stops along the way to ensure timely bathroom breaks. 2. Arrange water intake reasonably: maintain adequate hydration but avoid large amounts of water during long drives. Choose to hydrate during rest stops instead. 3. Prepare before using the bathroom: before each stop, inquire about the location of nearby sanitation facilities for timely use. 4. Dress comfortably: choose loose, comfortable clothing that allows for quick bathroom access. 5. Be aware of bodily signals: pay attention to urination signals and stop to take a break when you feel the need, instead of holding it in to protect your health. 6. Use portable sanitation facilities: where conditions allow, consider preparing portable sanitation equipment in the car, especially when traveling in remote areas for emergency use. By following these methods, you can effectively reduce the need to hold urine and protect urinary health.

Congestion on the roads cannot be completely avoided, but health risks can be actively mitigated. Remember these points to protect your health during travel.

1. Before departure: do three things to reduce the need to hold your urge to urinate from the start. Check the traffic conditions in advance: use a navigation system to avoid congested areas and reduce waiting times at long stops. It’s essential to urinate before leaving: ensure you do so before getting in the car, when entering the highway, and as soon as you reach the service area. If you travel with seniors and children, it is advisable to carry disposable urine bags or a portable toilet as emergency equipment to tackle major issues at critical moments.

2. During driving: drink water scientifically, without waiting to feel thirsty or holding your urine. Many people opt not to drink water throughout the journey to avoid bathroom breaks, which is a very serious mistake. Dehydration can concentrate urine and, consequently, facilitate kidney stone formation. The correct approach is to drink small amounts of warm water several times, maintain normal metabolism, and when you feel the urge to urinate, try to find the nearest service area to resolve it.

3. It is also important to move after sitting for long periods: during traffic jams, it is advisable to perform appropriate movements of the shoulders, neck, waist, and legs within the car to avoid pelvic congestion, which can cause discomfort in the urinary system.

If any of the following situations occur, it means the body has issued an "alarm". It is imperative to seek nearby medical attention without delay:

1. Persistent lower abdominal pain with inability to urinate.

2. Pain and burning while urinating, frequent and urgent need to urinate.

3. Urine that is red, bloody, cloudy, or has a strange odor.

4. Intense pain and colic in the lumbar area, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

5. Dizziness, palpitations, increased blood pressure, chest discomfort.

If addressed promptly, most issues can be alleviated quickly and prevent small inconveniences from becoming chronic problems.

Experts Warn: Dr. Yang Jian, Chief of Urology, warns friends traveling that traffic on the highways is temporary, but injuries to the bladder, infections, stones, and kidney damage caused by urine retention can be long-term. It is recommended to empty the bladder before leaving, properly plan bathroom breaks during the trip, and avoid the need to hold it in. Additionally, it is important to drink water in adequate amounts to avoid overhydration that increases retention load. Take care of your health while traveling!

Contributed by: Hunan Medical Talk Guest Author: Cold Fu, Urology Department, Hunan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine.

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