Medical Health Encyclopedia

Urination - excessive volume

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Urination - excessive volume

Definition:

Polyuria is the release of abnormally large amounts (for an adult, at least 2.5 liters per day) of urine.

Alternative Names:
Polyuria

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Considerations:

This is a fairly common symptom which is often noticed when it occurs at night.

Common Causes:

• Too much fluid intake, particularly fluids containing caffeine or alcohol
• Too much salt or glucose (if diabetic)
• Drug use, especially diuretics
• Diabetes (both diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus)
• Psychogenic polydipsia, most common in women over age 30
• Renal failure
• Sickle cell anemia
• Radiographic tests that use a contrast media
  • Urine volume will increase for up to 24 hours following the dose

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