THE OCCURRENCE OF DIURESIS IN HUMANS IN STRESSFUL SITUATIONS AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATION TO THE DIURESIS OF EARLY STARVATION

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Abstract
A diuresis which is independent of increased fluid intake has been reported to occur in humans in some situations of psychological stress. Humans without renal disease were studied under controlled conditions of activity, diet, and fluid intake. Control subjects showed no significant variations in rate of water or chloride excretion, except that some who were fasted up to 18 hours developed a gradual increase in water output, accompanied by a fall in the specific gravity and chloride concn. of the urine. This was accompanied by a rise in blood ketones and a fall in blood glucose. In subjects who were made anxious and apprehensive by psychologically threatening situations or discussions a diuresis occurred which was characterized by a 200% to 500% increase in urine volume, accompanied by a fall in the specific gravity of the urine and of the concn. of chlorides. This diuresis was often but not always accompanied by an increased ketonemia and a fall in blood glucose. It could not be attributed to increased excretion of ketone bodies. The similarities in the human adaptive response to fasting and to some psychological stresses which arouse anxiety were pointed out.

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