A theory relating to the Big P

[Guest guest]

I have a theory regarding the frequent urination during AF and the

periods of AF that come and go during any given week. I'd like your

thoughts on the matter...

I have very detailed statistics on my AF for over two years. (I'm

anal and able to feel every irregular beat.) I have AF events any

given week that total from 20 to 50 hours.

First, a fact from my statistics: In general, the duration of each

AF episode is directly proportional to the length of time I am NOT if

AF after the event. (In other words, 10 hours in AF results in

approx the next 25 hours in normal sinus; 20 hours in AF results in

the next 50 hours NSR, 30 hours in AF results in the next 75 hours in

NSR, etc.)

My theory is this: I believe that there is a chemical imbalance that

builds in my body. When it builds to a certain level, some unrealted

event (bending over, cold beverage, exercise, etc.) triggers the

beginning of AF. During the period of AF, the frequent and

voluminous urination reduces the chemical imbalance. When the level

of the chemnical imbalance is low enough, another unrelated event

(bending over, cold beverage, exercise, etc.) triggers the end of the

AF event.

What do you think?

I very much appreciate your help...

Jim

> I have posted this explanation of the big " p " before but for those

who have

> missed it see below-jerry

>

> I found the info explaining the reason for frequent urination while

in AFIB.

> The atrium releases a peptide when stretched, called " Atrial

> Natriuretic peptide " which has the effect of a diuretic and reduces

> blood volume.

>

> " Atrial Natriuretic Peptide is a hormone that is released from the

> atrial cells in the heart in response to overstretch of the atrial

> cardiac muscle cells. Specific volume receptors in the atria detect

> an increase in plasma volume due to stretching beyond a certain

> threshold or limit (Rector, 1987). This peptide is released in

> response to stimuli that increase blood volume in the body, such as

a

> blood transfusion or an increased salt and water intake and

> ultimately this peptide controls these changes by increasing the

> urinary volume excretion through several different mechanisms. "

> .... " This vasodilation causes an increase in capillary pressure,

thus

> an increase in glomerular filtration rate, causing an increase in

> urinary volume excretion. In response to an increase in blood

volume

> and thus blood pressure, this will cause the blood volume to

directly

> drop (pressure diuresis) "

> -

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> What do you think?

Hi Jim

this link on ANP maybe useful

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/417048_print

and you'll find quite a few more if you do a google or PubMed search.

My own feeling is that the atrial stretch that occurs during AF

causes a 'false' release of ANP (i.e. the ANP release is not necessarily

due to high blood volume). My own trips to the toilet always happen

AFTER AF starts - I think I'd suspect a high blood volume more if the

trips started before my AF.

Whether this misfiring has a secondary positive affect of ditching

something the body doesn't want is certainly a good debate. In my own

case frequent urination only lasts for the first few hours where AF

usually lasts for around 25 hour - if my rates get high later on it can

bring on the trips again - I wonder why it takes so long for AF to

terminate if urination is helping?

Having had cyclical AF myself I think the build of chemical imbalance

which is regained during in AF is very plausible. (though it doesn't

necessarily mean the body excretes anything - it may just move it

around)

e.g.

AF often leads to calcium overload in the cells - if you don't have AF

for long does it mean the calcium balance is restored sooner (Ca is

removed from the cells but not from the body)

If your AF is short lasting your muscles may be less exhausted from the

event - if the recovery time is shorter then perhaps the chances of

going into AF sooner is increased? (but don't ask me to give a good

definition of what I mean by 'exhausted'

It's worth searching the archived messages as this topic as come

up quite a few times in the past.

All the best

--

D

[Guest guest]

Jim: I too have had this AFib question in my mind for many years. I

have also read D's response where he cited an explaination

taken out of a medical work that stated:

" This peptide is released in

> response to stimuli that increase blood volume in the body, such as

a

> blood transfusion or an increased salt and water intake and

> ultimately this peptide controls these changes by increasing the

> urinary volume excretion through several different mechanisms. "

The specific term is " increasing the urinary volume excretion-- "

At least 10 years ago I actually measured my urine volume discharge

using a standard kitchen measuring cup both during and after an AFib

episode and found no actual 'increase in volume;' just a greater

urgency. Over the years I've had many, many episodes and found that

in some of them I experienced no urgency at all. That got me to

thinking even more on the subject particularly when my cardio. at the

time told me I have both AFib and AFlutter according to several

halter monitor results.

My new working theory on the subject now is that AFib produces the

urgency, AFlutter does not exert any urgency demands on the body.

But I think you are on the right track. Except for 2 times in the

last 10 years this condition has bothered me I have self converted.

The body does appear to be trying to rid itself of something but I'll

have to wait until this disabling medical condition gets the needed

research to come up with a more definative answer.

S.

> I have a theory regarding the frequent urination during AF and the

> periods of AF that come and go during any given week. I'd like

your

> thoughts on the matter...

>