I had to go to the bathroom.
Not terribly, but more than a little.
We’ve all had this feeling one time or another.
As we age, it may happen more often.
It was only a matter of time and the sensation would become more acute.
And uncomfortable.
Did I want it to happen on the tennis court when I might squirm and fidget in discomfort?
In theory, the amount of water I imbibed would be balanced by my perspiration and homeostasis would be maintained.
I know practically no one who gets this just right.
I debated what to do.
I could hold it and be a little uncomfortable, or I could relieve myself and become comfortable.
The restroom was not that far away.
The normal bladder fills concentrically, much as does a balloon.
Only not with air or helium, but rather with the liquid made by the kidneys following the passage of blood through them.
Normal kidneys receive 20–25% of cardiac output.
The kidneys extract liquid waste from the blood and send that southward in the form of a warm, yellow liquid with which we are all familiar.
Ideally, when one is playing tennis or engaged in other activities, the urinary bladder is as deflated a balloon as possible.
