Polyuria

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Polyuria, large dilute volumes of urine

Polyuria is a condition where the body urinates more than usual and passes excessive or abnormally large amounts of urine each time you urinate. Polyuria is defined as the frequent passage of large volumes of urine - more than 3 litres a day compared to the normal daily urine output in adults of about 1 to 2 litres.

Causes

Polyuria can be caused by different conditions, including:

• Diabetes mellitus: This is a condition where the body cannot properly process food for use as energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugars to build up in your blood.

• Diabetes insipidus: This is a rare disorder that causes an imbalance of water in the body. This imbalance leads to intense thirst even after drinking fluids (polydipsia), and excretion of large amounts of urine (polyuria).

• Use of certain medications, such as diuretics.

• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause polyuria by decreasing the concentration of urine.

• Hypercalcemia: This is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work.

Symptoms

The main symptom of polyuria is producing abnormally large volumes of urine at regular intervals throughout the day and night. Other symptoms may depend on the underlying cause of polyuria.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of polyuria may involve a series of tests, including blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests. The doctor may also review the patient's medical history and conduct a physical examination.

Treatment

Treatment for polyuria aims to treat the underlying cause. For example, if diabetes is the cause, treatment will involve keeping blood sugar levels under control.

See also

• Polydipsia
• Nocturia
• Urinary frequency

Polyuria Resources
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