Doctors in China were left stunned in 2017 after treating a 22-year-old man whose swollen stomach made him appear pregnant. The young man, whose identity was not disclosed, had reportedly never passed stool since birth due to a rare condition known as Hirschsprung disease.
This condition occurs when nerve cells responsible for controlling the movement of the large intestine are missing, preventing the bowel from functioning properly.
Over the years, the condition caused the young man’s abdomen to fill with nearly 13 kilograms of waste, leading to a severe condition doctors described as Megacolon.
Despite living for 22 years without normal bowel movements, his family reportedly did not consider the issue serious. By the time he was taken to hospital, his colon had expanded to nearly 80 centimeters and was packed with waste that had accumulated for years.
Doctors carried out a three-hour operation to remove the affected portion of his colon along with the built-up waste. Remarkably, the medical team managed to save the young man’s life. The case was reported by Hindustan Times.
Although Hirschsprung disease is rare, medical experts warn that ignoring the body’s natural urge to use the toilet can lead to serious health problems. When a person delays bowel movements for long periods, the large intestine continues absorbing water from the stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass. This can result in severe constipation.
Such conditions may lead to complications including fecal impaction, where stool becomes too hard to pass without medical intervention, or gastrointestinal perforation, a dangerous situation where the intestine tears and can lead to death.
Habitually holding in stool can also cause the colon to stretch and gradually lose its ability to signal the need for a bowel movement, allowing waste to accumulate in the digestive system.
In extreme cases like the one experienced by the young man, it can increase the risk of infections in the intestines and even raise the chances of developing colon cancer.
Research cited by Doctissimo indicates that between 10 and 15 percent of adults suffer from chronic constipation, often caused by diet, lifestyle habits or medication.
Experts also note that the habit of avoiding the toilet often begins in childhood. Some children develop fear of using the toilet after experiencing painful bowel movements or intestinal infections. If the issue is not addressed early, the body may continue storing stool in the lower intestines, reducing the colon’s ability to trigger the urge to defecate.
Studies show that about two to three percent of children avoid going to the toilet due to fear, making it important for parents to monitor and guide their children in developing healthy bathroom habits.
Similarly, ignoring the urge to urinate can also cause serious health problems. Holding urine for long periods causes the bladder to expand excessively and may weaken its muscles.
Over time, this habit can lead to urinary incontinence, where a person loses control over urination. It can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), as bacteria multiply in retained urine.
If untreated, such infections may lead to kidney damage, bladder stones and other serious complications.
Health experts therefore warn that while many people consider delaying urination or bowel movements normal, turning it into a regular habit can have long-term consequences for overall health.