diuresis

[New Latin, from Late Latin diūrēticus, diuretic. See diuretic.]

Increased formation and excretion of urine; it occurs in diseases such as diabetes, and also in response to diuretics.

The excretion of large volumes of urine. An increase in urine output may be caused by exercise, disease, or drugs (see diuretic).

Excretion of large volumes of urine. An increase in urine output may be induced by disease or drugs. See also diuretic drugs.

Increased excretion of the urine.

• cold d. — occurs in hypothermia as a result of peripheral vasoconstriction, hyperglycemia and decreased renal tubular absorption.
• osmotic d. — due to increased concentration of solutes which are not reabsorbed in the proximal tubules and which, by osmotic pressure, cause water to be retained. See also osmotic diuretic.
• postobstruction d. — due to the diuretic effect of urea and electrolytes retained during the period of obstruction.
• water d. — ingestion and excretion of an excess of water, without a corresponding amount of sodium; involves expansion of plasma volume, increased left atrial pressure and inhibition of ADH. See also obligatory water diuresis.

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Diuresis regulation by ADH and aldosterone

Diuresis is the increased production of urine by the kidney.

Types and causes

The kidney normally produces up to 180 L of "pro-urine" (glomerular filtrate) per day, but reabsorbs most of this before entering the calyx of the kidney. No more reabsorption takes place past this point.

Polyuria is increased diuresis. This may be due to large fluid intake, various illnesses (diabetes insipidus, osmotic diuresis due to diabetes mellitus or hypercalcemia) or various chemical substances (diuretics, caffeine, alcohol). It may also occur after supraventricular tachycardias, during an onset of atrial fibrillation, childbirth, and the removal of an obstruction within the urinary tract. Diuresis is restrained by antidiuretics such as ADH, angiotensin II and aldosterone.

Cold diuresis is the occurrence of increased urine production on exposure to cold, which also partially explains immersion diuresis.

Substances that increase diuresis are called diuretics.

Substances that decrease diuresis allow more vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to be present in the kidney.

High-altitude diuresis occurs at altitudes above 10,000 ft and is a desirable indicator of adaptation to high altitudes. Mountaineers who are adapting well to high altitudes experience this type of diuresis. Persons who produce less urine even in the presence of adequate fluid intake probably are not adapting well to altitude. ^[1]

See also

• Forced diuresis
• Osmotic diuresis
• Rebound diuresis
• Immersion diuresis
• Urination
• Diuretic

References

1. ^ Hackett, Peter H. Mountain Sickness, The American Alpine Club, 1980. pp. 54, 62)

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