polyuria

In medicine, polyuria is a condition characterized by the passage of large volumes of urine (at least 2.5 L over 24 hours in adults).[1]

Polyuria often appears in conjunction with polydipsia (increased thirst), though it is possible to have one without the other, and the latter may be a cause or an effect. Psychogenic polydipsia may lead to polyuria.

Polyuria is physiologically normal in some circumstances, such as cold diuresis, altitude diuresis, and after drinking large amounts of fluids.

Causes of polyuria

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• increase in fluid intake, especially water
• diuretic drugs
• diuretic foods (foods and beverages containing caffeine, such as chocolate, coffee, tea, and soft drinks; hot spicy foods; juices high in acid; alcoholic beverages; etc.)
• diabetes mellitus
• diabetes insipidus
• psychogenic polydipsia
• high doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2)
• high doses of vitamin C
• cold diuresis
• Cerebral salt-wasting syndrome
• altitude diuresis
• interstitial cystitis
• interstitial nephritis
• lupus erythematosus or other connective tissue disease related cystitis
• Sjögren's syndrome
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
• renal tubular acidosis
• Fanconi syndrome/renal glycosuria
• hypercalcaemia
• hyperthyroidism
• hypopituitarism
• pregnancy
• reactive arthritis/Reiter's syndrome
• glomerulonephritis
• squamous cell carcinoma of lung (a paraneoplastic consequence)
• hypoaldosteronism
• hypokalemia
• polydipsia
• congestive heart failure
• Cushing's syndrome
• Addison's disease
• intestinal obstruction (occurs after toxins begin to be absorbed from the damaged intestine)
• hypercalcemia (most commonly from cancer)
• hyperparathyroidism^[1]
• acromegaly
• polycythemia
• partial obstruction of the urinary tract
• pheochromocytoma
• side effect of lithium (see lithium thirst)
• liver failure/ cirrhosis
• pyometra in certain animals or appendicitis in humans
• neurologic damage
• urinary tract infection - although it more commonly causes frequent passage of small volumes of urine rather than a large volume
• emphysematous cystitis
• post supraventricular tachycardia
• migraine
• Use of a corticosteroid such as prednisone
• nephronophthisis
• Treatment of Lithium as a mood stabilizer for numerous mood disorders have a common side effect of Polyuria.
• Hyperglycaemia (often secondary to diabetes mellitus)
• Hypoxia
• Hypovolemia
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Removal of Urinary Obstruction
• Healing Acute Tubular Necrosis

References