Hyderabad: Holding off urination for long periods and on a regular basis damages the bladder muscles. Over a period of time this can lead to bladder weakness and causes kidney problems.
The issues are aggravated for working men and women who consume less water. The major reason for drinking less water is unhygienic toilet conditions in offices and public spaces. This leads to restraining oneself from drinking the requisite amount of water.
The problem is worse for those who are constantly travelling within the city or intercity where they have to use local transport for their work purposes. Experts state that they find men and women who have outdoor jobs refraining from using public toilets due to their pathetic condition. The problem is more rampant in young women than in men.
Dr Sanjay Sinha, senior consultant urologist at Apollo Hospitals, said. “Habitual postponement is seen mostly in those who are in outdoor jobs. Chronic dehydration leads to fatigue, kidney stones and also constipation. When they continue with the profession for long, it is found that they suffer from stress incontinence and have difficulties in controlling urine. With increasing age, they have frequent urinary tract infections.”
In men who do not like to use public toilets it has been found that they often develop a fear because of which they drink less water.
Dr G. Srinivas, senior general physician and senior member of Indian Medical Association, explained, “In men who are used to drinking less water it has been found that from the onset of 45 years of age they have difficulty in passing urine. The flow of urine is not as desired for a person of that age. The major problems seen in them are fatigue, dizziness and confusion.”
With age, the body’s fluid reserve becomes smaller and the ability to conserve water is reduced. It has also been found that the sense of thirst is less acute. Older adults feel less thirsty due to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and dementia.
Research shows that even one per cent dehydration negatively affects mood, attention, memory and motor co-ordination.
