Why do I urinate a lot during exams? What should I do if I encounter "stress polyuria" during the college entrance examination?

Many people have had this experience: when they encounter something that makes them nervous, such as an important exam, they urinate a lot and always want to go to the bathroom, which may affect their exam performance. Now it is the "college entrance examination season" again, and many students also have this distress when facing the important "big exam" in their lives. So why does this phenomenon occur? Is it a disease? What should we do?

1. Two factors that control the amount of urine produced by the human body The amount of urine produced by the human body is controlled by two factors.

The first factor is the level of glomerular filtration rate. When the blood volume of the human body increases or the heart rate speeds up, the blood circulation speed will increase, the glomerular filtration rate will increase, and the production of primary urine will increase.

The second factor is the reabsorption rate of the renal tubules. When the primary urine filtered out by the glomerulus passes through the renal tubules, 98-99% of the water will be reabsorbed back into the blood by the renal tubules, and the remaining 1% of water and metabolic waste will form real urine and be discharged into the bladder.

2. Why do we urinate more when we are nervous? When people are nervous and anxious, the nervous emotions will excite the sympathetic nerves, causing an increase in the release of adrenaline, causing the heart rate to accelerate, blood circulation to speed up, the glomerular filtration rate to increase, and the production of primary urine to increase.

Tension can also affect the pituitary hormone regulation system, and the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that controls the reabsorption capacity of the renal tubules is secreted by the pituitary gland. Tension can inhibit the secretion of ADH by the pituitary gland, reduce the reabsorption of water in the primary urine by the renal tubules, and increase urine production.

This condition is called "stress polyuria" in physiology. Like other physiological reactions such as sweating and blushing, it is a physiological phenomenon that many people experience, but some are mild while others are severe. It is not a disease.

3. What should you do if you encounter stress polyuria? 1. Control your water intake: If you drink more water, it will directly increase blood volume, causing an increase in glomerular filtration rate. In addition, the increase in body water will stimulate the negative feedback system, inhibit the pituitary gland from secreting ADH, reduce the renal tubular reabsorption capacity, and increase urine production. Therefore, before the exam, people who are prone to stress polyuria should control their water intake and try to reduce water intake.

2. Empty the bladder: The capacity of the human bladder is about 300-400 ml. When the urine accumulates to 200 ml, you will feel the urge to urinate. Before the exam, whether you feel the urge to urinate or not, you should try to empty your bladder. This way, you will have a larger "stock" to accommodate the urine generated during the exam.

3. Reduce stress and relax: It is a normal reaction of the human body to want to go to the toilet when you are nervous. It comes from psychological tension. Taking deep breaths can help you relax yourself and remind yourself, "I am well prepared for the exam, I will not be nervous." "I am anxious, but others are definitely more anxious than me, I am better than them." Try to focus on the test paper and immerse yourself in the idea of ​​solving the problem, which can also distract you from the influence of the urge to urinate.

4. Eat well and sleep well: Examinations are a brain-consuming activity, and the most important "food" for the human brain is glucose. Therefore, during the examination period, you can eat more starchy rice and noodles to meet the brain's energy needs. When resting at home, parents should try to create a soothing and quiet environment so that candidates can get enough sleep.

In summary, stress polyuria during exams is a phenomenon that many people will encounter. It can be completely overcome through careful preparation before the exam and relaxation. Tell yourself that this exam is just one of the countless paths to success. Even if you don't do well in the exam, you will succeed in other ways. If you are not afraid of exams psychologically, you will solve the problem fundamentally.