I'm 65 and It's somehow comforting to know I'm not alone in this. I always know I'm gonna have to go when I get dreams of waterfalls or some other water manifestation and slowly wake and realise I will have to leave the warmth. But like others It's wonderful to stare up and see the stars. I love my hammock!!
Believe it or not , the reason why we have to get up and go is complicated. I believe there are several physiological reasons for the increased urge/need to urinate while in your hammock. First, is the fact that your body is in what is called a trendelenburg position (tilted with legs higher than heart) which causes increased venous return (flow from the legs to the heart). The increase in circulatory volume/pressure/ cardiac stroke volume is sensed by the heart which triggers compensatory mechanisms, including the release of a substance called Atrial Naturetic Peptide (ANP); The Carotid Baroreceptors trigger responses by the autonomic nervous system, and the Kidney reacts and releases various substances which result in "Diuresis" (increased urine output). This also occurs when our legs are compressed as in being "squeezed or massaged" by the hammock. Another situation which triggers diuresis is when you walk into the ocean or get into a tub (the lower legs "capacitance vessels" are squeezed) and trigger similar responses. This is made worse in old guys with prostate issues which also create an urge to go. :-( And all of this doesn't even address the results of the beer consumed around the campfire.
So I wonder if one of us old guys were to hang his hammock more on level rather than higher on the foot end would there be a significant advantage or am I asking for trouble? I have already learned that foregoing diuretics like coffee or tea at night helps but I can't say foregoing that little pleasure in the evening is really worth it later....
As you know far too well, Mr. Tango, I'm far from an expert on the subject, but the idea behind the foot end being higher is to get us a more level plane in the hammock. If we were to set up the head end higher or even level, then we'd migrate down toward the foot end. Maybe we wouldn't have to go as much, but it would be a $%@!)(& lay. A very wise man once said that it is just about impossible to hang the foot end too high!
I give up. Why ?
What do you mean?
4+ months straight in a hammock indoors. Now I've been on the new mattress for 2 weeks (kinda sucks). Zero night time pant-peeing sprints to the commode. In fact, after waking up I don't even really need to go but I do out of habit. I'm now no longer 110% convinced about the hammock/urinating theory. I'm 128.9% convinced.
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