If I’m recalling my physiology right, water is absorbed in the large intestine. Alcohol, OTOH is absorbed in the stomach. That’s why you get a quick buzz when you down those three cans of beer, but don’t have to break the seal for a half hour or more; the CH[sub]3[/sub]COOH is in your bloodstream right away, but the H[sub]2[/sub]O has to traverse thirty feet of tubing first.
Most of the water is absorbed by the small intestine. (Side note: you produce 6-7 Liters of fluid from salivary glands, stomach juices and other digestive organs every day, so a lot of what’s absorbed isn’t directly from the food you eat.) Some is absorbed in the stomach, and the final amount in the large intestine. So water is technically absorbed in all three places, with the small intestine doing the bulk of the work.
What a great article this was. The things I learn from this website are incredible. Look for this condition in an upcoming episode of House! (I’m not affiliated with the show, but this sounds like the obscure type of condition used on that show - he’s got a severely infected kidney - maybe he held his pee too long!)
On the other hand, my urologist says that holding urine for a long time can increase one’s chances of getting a urinary tract infection.
Soldiers in the US-Vietnam war reportedly fought off dehydration by holding their urine as long as possible. I have no information on the frequency of UTIs in Viet soldiers.
Far be it from me to try to add to the wisdom of the Master, but may I just mention one additional effect of ‘holding it in’ voluntarily or otherwise,…Urinary Retention! This is where the pressure in the over-full bladder rises to a level that effectively nips off the entrance to the urethra…Result? An ever fuller (and excruciatingly painful) bladder that can only be realeased by the skilled insertion of a catheter which re-opens the blocked off tube to your very great relief!!!
Great work Unca Cece, keep it up!
Dazna.
I’ve heard that people who work long hours with few breaks (such as nurses) often suffer horrible UTIs from “holding it”.
When I was in high school, I raised sheep for FFA. I learned that wether (castrated) sheep can suffer something called ‘water belly’, caused when a blockage of the urethra prevents urination. The bladder ruptures, and the urine then voids into the peritoneal cavity. Such sheep obviously don’t live long - they are slaughtered when the condition is discovered - but they apparently show no signs of discomfort after the initial rupture.
Indeed, holding urine in the bladder can cause UTIs. Done chronicly, it can damage the nerves at the neck of the bladder, making it more difficult to know when to go.
Multiple UTIs can cause scarring and narrowing of the urethra.
If the bladder can’t empty, urine can back up into the ureters and the renal pelvis. If not relieved, the pressure can cause renal failure and/or high renin hypertension.
I see what you are saying about holding in your pee there.
However, I’ve heard that its supposed to be really bad for the sphincter muscles controlling pee flow if you continually hold in lots of fluid and that they become severely weakened in later life.
Any ideas on that?
