Ngala sign
The famous "Ngala sign" is actually a non-pathological manifestation that occurs when a person feels uncomfortable, anxious, or stressed about urinating in the presence of others. This psychological reaction can cause a sensation of discomfort that complicates the relaxation of the bladder and sphincter muscles, making urine evacuation more difficult.
This phenomenon often happens when you're afraid of being judged by others. It creates tension and psychological inhibition that disrupts the normal process of peeing.
Mechanism:
When someone feels uneasy, anxious, or stressed about urinating in front of others, it triggers a psychological reaction. And this reaction is characterized by psychological inhibition that happens right in the brain. More specifically, in a part called the prefrontal cortex. This part controls emotions and social behavior, among other things. When a person feels embarrassed, stressed, or anxious about urinating in the presence of others, their prefrontal cortex sends signals to their autonomic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the automatic functions of the body, such as breathing, digestion, and of course, urination. Normally, when it feels the need to pee, the autonomic nervous system goes into "urination" mode. It relaxes the muscles of the bladder to allow the urine to flow.
But with this psychological inhibition, it's different. The signals sent by the prefrontal cortex interfere with the normal functioning of the autonomic nervous system. It creates a kind of "short-circuit" that prevents the relaxation of the bladder muscles. As a result, they have difficulty urinating normally.
In short, psychological inhibition creates an imbalance in communication between the brain and the autonomic nervous system. This disrupts the process of relaxing the bladder muscles, making urine expulsion more difficult. And that's what we call the Ngala sign.
Although the "Ngala sign" is not pathological, it can still lead to health problems. In fact, constantly holding back the urge to urinate can cause health issues such as bladder distension, urinary tract infections, kidney damage, and impact on mental health.
To help someone facing this problem, it's important to understand that it's a common reaction and there's no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Find a more relaxed environment: Encourage the person to find a quiet and private place to urinate where they feel more comfortable and less stressed.
2. Relaxation techniques: Teach the person relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation that can help them relax the bladder muscles and reduce anxiety.
3. Gradual exposure: Encourage the person to gradually expose themselves to situations where they have to urinate in the presence of a few trusted people. This can help them gradually get used to it and overcome social inhibition.
4. Talk to a healthcare professional: If the problem persists and significantly affects the person's quality of life, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare professional such as a psychologist or urologist who can provide appropriate support.