Does holding urine cause kidney stones?

Holding your urine for long hours repeatedly can lead to urinary retention and UTIs, which indirectly increase the risk of certain types of stones. Try to empty your bladder every 3 to 4 hours. Staying hydrated is the best way to flush out stone-forming minerals.

Beta, in my younger days, I used to ignore the urge to go while working for hours. It caused me severe bladder pain later in life. Do not make this mistake; take a break and go to the washroom. Your health is far more important than any work.

Since I manage diabetes, I have to be very careful with my urinary tract health to avoid infections. Holding urine is highly risky as it allows bacteria to grow. Keep yourself well-hydrated and check with a doctor if you feel any burning sensation.

If you are sweating a lot during workouts and not drinking enough water, that is a much bigger trigger for kidney stones than just holding urine. Make sure you are drinking at least 3-4 liters of water daily to keep your system clean.

There are many myths about kidney stones on WhatsApp. Holding urine might cause bladder infections, but stones are mostly formed due to diet, genetics, and low water intake. Get an ultrasound scan done if you have back pain, rather than guessing.

I use an app to track my water intake and set hourly bathroom reminders. It really helps prevent these issues. While holding urine mostly causes UTIs, chronic dehydration is the real culprit behind kidney stones.

I have this habit of holding urine during long office meetings and now I have a dull ache in my lower back. Could this be a stone already? Should I go see a doctor immediately?

Don't stress too much, doing it once in a while during a long travel won't cause stones immediately. Just don't make it a daily habit. Keep a water bottle with you and take care of your body.

Drink plenty of barley water (jau ka paani) or coconut water, as they naturally help in flushing out the kidneys. But never stop the natural urge of urine, it is against body science. If the pain is severe, please see an ayurvedic or allopathic doctor.