Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you needed to pee but could not use a restroom? A lot of times, especially in public, during an office meeting or an interview, we come across such circumstances, while sometimes we hold pee to not embarrass ourselves socially, or just because of the lack of facilities. Doing that often may not be good for our health.

How much pee can a person hold?

The urinary bladder is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that forms part of the urinary system. The bladder's role while is to store urine, it also releases once the limit is crossed, which is around one pint or two cups of liquid. However, under certain circumstances, it can stretch to hold more than this.

We start to fee the urge to urinate when it is filled halfway.

What can happen if you hold your pee long too often?

When you hold your pee too often, your bladder stretches and the muscle weakens. As time pass by, it can become difficult for your bladder to empty it completely. This can lead to urinary retention, and being unable to fully emptying your bladder.

Discomfort Due To Holding Pee

Pain

Ignoring the urge to pee regularly can lead to pain or discomfort in the bladder or kidneys. When you eventually make it to the bathroom, urinating might feel painful.

Additionally, the muscles involved in holding urine may remain partially tense even after you’ve emptied your bladder, potentially causing pelvic cramps.

Urinary Tract Infection

One of the most common discomforts caused by holding in pee for too long is Urinary tract infection. It can cause bacteria to multiply.

As per the Urology Care Foundation, people should avoid holding in pee for extended periods, as it increases the risk of UTIs. Dehydration, poor personal hygiene, and certain medications can also increase the risk of developing a UTI.

Common symptoms of a UTI include:

• A burning or stinging sensation during urination
• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen
• A persistent urge to urinate
• Strong or foul-smelling urine
• Cloudy or discolored urine
• Consistently dark urine
• Blood in the urine

Bladder Stretching

As mentioned before, in long run, regularly holding in pee could cause the bladder to stretch and make it difficult or sometimes, impossible for the bladder to contract and release pee.

If someone has a stretched bladder, sometimes, extra measures like a catheter could also be necessary.

Damage to Pelvic Floor Muscles

Regularly holding in urine can strain and potentially damage the pelvic floor muscles.

One key muscle, the urethral sphincter, helps keep the urethra closed to prevent leaks. Damage to this muscle may lead to urinary incontinence. Performing pelvic floor exercises, like Kegels, can help strengthen these muscles, repair damage, and reduce the risk of leakage.

Kidney Stones

For individuals prone to kidney stones or those with high mineral levels in their urine, holding in pee may contribute to stone formation. Urine naturally contains minerals like uric acid and calcium oxalate, which can crystallize and form stones over time.

Dehydration is a serious concern for people fasting during the month-long Ramadan period, and can severely impact kidney and prostate health. Experts suggested that avoiding excess salt and caffeine can help.

While Ramadan fasting is generally safe for people with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), maintaining adequate hydration between iftar and sehri -- the two important meals each day for faithful observing the fasting -- is of significant importance.

Dehydration can lead to acute kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances for individuals with advanced CKD. As prolonged fasting hours -- more than 12 hours a day -- urine becomes concentrated, increasing the risk for kidney stones and Urinary Tract infections (UTIs).

For men with prostate problems, fasting during Ramadan can pose challenges, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, primarily due to dehydration.

“As a practicing urologist and kidney transplant surgeon in India, I often notice a rise in kidney stone pain and urinary infections during Ramzan. When patients fast for long hours -- especially in our warm climate -- urine becomes highly concentrated. That increases the risk of stones and UTIs. Men with prostate enlargement sometimes report worsening urinary flow because they consciously reduce fluid intake,” Dr. Pankaj Panwar, Additional Director, Urology, Fortis Escorts Okhla, New Delhi, told HealthandMe.

The doctor advised people “to hydrate strategically between Iftar and Sehri, avoid excess salt and caffeine”.

How Excess Salt And Caffeine Impact Ramadan Fasting

Consuming high-sodium foods such as processed meats, pickles, salty snacks, and fast food during iftar or sehri can increase thirst and dehydration.

High salt intake forces the body to pull water from cells to dilute the sodium, leading to severe thirst. It can also lead to bloating.

Similarly, caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks can be diuretic and cause the body to lose fluids and salts through increased urination. Particularly, drinking coffee or tea at sehri -- the pre-dawn meal -- can lead to faster dehydration during the day.

Caffeine consumption, especially late in the evening, can also interfere with sleep, making it harder to wake up for sehri.

“Ramzan is a sacred month of fasting, but prolonged abstinence from water, especially in hot climates, can increase dehydration risk. Concentrated urine puts stress on the kidneys and may worsen kidney stones or trigger urinary tract infections,” Dr. Mangesh Patil, Urologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, told HealthandMe.

Dehydration during Ramadan fasting can lead to symptoms like headaches, extreme thirst, fatigue, and dizziness. But in case of severe dizziness, fever, confusion, or blurred vision, the experts warned of immediate medical help.

“Do not ignore warning signs like flank pain, fever, or difficulty passing urine. A little planning can prevent an emergency hospital visit,” Panwar said.

Patil said warning signs include severe flank pain, burning urination, fever, vomiting, blood in urine, or reduced urine output. Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia may notice worsening urinary symptoms.

Tips To Prevent Complications

• Drink 2-3 liters of water between iftar and sehri
• Include water-rich fruits
• Avoid excess salt and caffeine
• Individuals with kidney disease, stones, UTIs, or prostate issues should consult their doctor before fasting.

Colon (colorectal) cancer begins when small growths called polyps form on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Over time, changes in the DNA of these cells can cause the polyps to become cancerous.

As abnormal cells multiply, they replace healthy cells and eventually form a mass known as a tumor. This process develops slowly, often taking up to ten years for a precancerous polyp to turn into cancer and begin showing symptoms.

Colon cancer poses serious health risks because cancerous cells can invade healthy tissues. Over time, they may break away and spread to other parts of the body, making detection more difficult since the symptoms can resemble other conditions.

What Is the First Sign of Colon Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore?

Colon cancer can be difficult to detect because it often develops without obvious symptoms. However, doctors emphasize that the number one warning sign is rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.

"Colon cancer can be hard to diagnose because it can develop asymptomatically,” said Dr. John Nathanson, a gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital.

Dr. Pratima Dibba adds that this symptom should not be misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, infection, or constipation, since early signs of colon cancer can look similar.

She urges patients to get checked promptly to rule out serious conditions.

Research from the Cleveland Clinic also shows that blood in stool can originate anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon.

Detecting colon cancer early is critical, as survival rates can be as high as 90 percent when caught in its initial stages.

What Are Other Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

Persistent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool). Other signs include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Bloated stomach
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Feeling like there’s still poop in your bowel even after you go to the bathroom
• Feeling tired or weak
• Unexplained weight loss

Present Day Scenario In India

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health concern worldwide. In India, it is the fourth most common cancer among both men and women. In 2022, there were 64,863 new cases and 38,367 deaths.

Projections suggest that incidence will continue to rise by 2026, reflecting both lifestyle changes and improved detection.

Compared to developed countries, survival rates in India remain lower, largely due to late-stage diagnosis and limited access to screening programs.

The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.

Some of the risk factors include risk factors involve being over the age 50, family history, certain genetic syndromes (like Lynch syndrome), inflammatory bowel diseases, and lifestyle factors (diet high in red meat, alcohol, smoking, inactivity).

The most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer is through annual colonoscopies, screening and stool tests.

Alcohol use problems are far more common in people living with borderline personality disorder than many clinicians may assume. A large meta analysis has found that more than half of individuals diagnosed with the condition also struggle with alcohol use disorders. The finding strengthens calls for mental health care that treats both issues together rather than separately.

Why Alcohol Is A Major Risk

Borderline personality disorder, often called BPD, is a complex psychiatric condition marked by intense emotional swings, impulsive behavior, unstable relationships, and a fragile sense of self. Many people with BPD experience overwhelming emotional distress and may turn to alcohol as a way to cope, calm themselves, or escape difficult thoughts.

For years, research has hinted at a strong connection between BPD and substance misuse. However, the actual scale of the problem has been unclear because individual studies reported very different numbers. Some suggested moderate overlap while others pointed to extremely high rates.

Alcohol misuse in BPD is not just a side issue. It can worsen mood instability, increase the risk of self harm, and make therapy harder to stick with. People may miss appointments, struggle with medication routines, or act more impulsively while intoxicated. This makes understanding the true prevalence important for both diagnosis and treatment planning.

What Did The Research Find?

To clarify the picture, researchers reviewed 15 studies including 15,603 adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. The team analyzed data collected across multiple countries and databases up to March 2024 using established systematic review methods.

The results were striking. About 55.28 percent of people with BPD had an alcohol use disorder. Around 44.59 percent met criteria for alcohol dependence and 18.84 percent for alcohol abuse.

When compared with the general population, the contrast becomes sharper. Alcohol use disorders occur in roughly 8.6 percent of men and 1.7 percent of women overall. The prevalence in BPD is therefore dramatically higher.

In simple terms, alcohol related conditions are not occasional in BPD. They are common and clinically significant.

What This Means For Treat

The findings suggest that mental health services cannot treat borderline personality disorder in isolation. Screening for alcohol misuse should become routine during psychiatric assessment. Likewise, addiction services should look for underlying personality disorders rather than focusing only on drinking behavior.

Integrated treatment approaches are likely to work better. Therapy that addresses emotional regulation, impulsivity, and coping skills alongside addiction support may reduce relapses and improve long term outcomes.

Early identification is key. When both conditions are recognized together, patients are more likely to stay engaged in care and avoid severe complications. The research ultimately highlights a simple but important point. For many patients, recovery depends on treating the person as a whole, not just the diagnosis they first walk in with.