Retention has serious health consequences – here’s what can happen

In today’s fast-paced environment, many office workers are falling prey to an increasingly common phenomenon known as “voluntary retention” where the natural urge to go to the bathroom is ignored.

Sydney gastroenterologist Professor Peter Katelaris said it is most common among office workers, particularly young women, who may not want to use office toilets.

“People can try to ignore the urge to have a bowel movement,” Prof Katelaris told news.com.au.

“Some people do this as they may find it inconvenient or embarrassing to go to the bathroom during a busy day at work. Others do not like to use a shared public toilet and many prefer to use their own toilet, so suppress the urge that then passes.

Then, when it’s convenient for them, they can sit on the toilet and try to push even though they no longer have the urge to empty their bowels.

This often ends in disappointment as the moment has passed.

Not only that, but studies have shown that people who do this often develop a variety of unpleasant symptoms due to the disruption of their bowel habits.

“It can cause bloating, fullness and discomfort after becoming constipated,” he explained.

Prof Katelaris suggests that people go to the toilet when there is “an urge to go”, rather than when they feel like going.

“Some people wait for their bowels to open when they want, usually after breakfast and before work,” he explained. “They sit in hope and wait, sometimes for a long time, waiting for something to happen.”

This can lead to forced strain that can cause fissures around the anus (a painful split in the skin) and hemorrhoids.

In older people, it can even be dangerous as overexertion can raise blood pressure, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

The main message, according to Prof Katelaris, is that we should not forget the fact that “our bodies are not machines”.

We must respond to our body’s messages and go to the bathroom when we receive nature’s call.

Just as we eat when we are hungry, drink when we are thirsty, and sleep when we are tired, so we must respond to the urge to open our bowels when we receive the message to go.

As for what constitutes a “healthy” bowl routine, there is a widespread belief that you should open your bowels every day.

While Prof Katelaris admits it is a common bowel habit, he said it could still be perfectly normal with a different frequency.

“What is normal for one person may not be normal for another. In general, most adults open their bowels between three times a day and three times a week, he noted.

To promote overall gut health, he recommends getting back to the basics—a healthy diet, adequate fluid intake, and exercise.

“Remember, humans evolved in nature as omnivores. Our gut works best when we eat the diet we evolved to eat. This is not complicated, – he explained.

It advocates a balanced, whole-food diet that is portion-controlled and contains minimal ultra-processed foods.

Foods like vegetables, fruits, healthy oils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are all great fiber-rich foods.

“If a diet consists mainly of low-fibre, processed and ultra-processed foods, it is much more likely that bowel function will be affected – as well as many other potential downsides to our health,” he added.

Fluid intake should also be adequate.

“There is no exact amount for each day,” he said. “For most healthy people, if you have a dry mouth or always feel thirsty, or your urine is dark, you are not drinking enough fluids. If you are not thirsty and your urine is pale or clear, you are. It’s that simple

Physical exertion of any kind also helps bowel function.

Of course, there are medical conditions that disturb bowel function.

If there are any concerns, a discussion with your GP is the first port of call. As people get older, and in some young people who just have a very slow bowel habit, despite a good diet, there may be a need to take something that helps the bowels to open.

These can be simple fiber supplements or stool softeners, but sometimes also laxatives that stimulate the bowels to work.