Incontinence

DEAR DOCTOR K: This may seem like an odd question, but can “holding it” when you need to urinate damage your bladder? I sleep on the second floor of my house, but the only bathroom is on the first. Sometimes I just don’t feel like getting up! Am I hurting myself?

DEAR READER: I’d say you’re in good company — we’ve all “held it” before, for whatever reason. Many of my patients ask me the same question you have. I’ve even had a patient ask if her bladder could actually explode from holding it too long.