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 General Urology, Internal Medicine

Urination - excessive volume

Urination - excessive volume

Female urinary tract
Female urinary tract
Male urinary tract
Male urinary tract

Definition:

Excessive volume of urination means that you release abnormally large amounts of urine each day. The medical term for this condition is polyuria. 

Alternative Names:
Polyuria
Considerations:

An excessive volume of urination for an adult would be at least 2.5 liters of urine per day.

Polyuria is a fairly common symptom, which is often noticed when you have to get up to use the bathroom at night.

Common Causes:
  • Drinking a large amount of fluids, particularly those containing caffeine or alcohol
  • Too much salt or glucose (if you have diabetes)
  • Certain medications, especially diuretics
  • Diabetes (including diabetes insipidus)
  • Psychogenic polydipsia, most common in women over age 30
  • Kidney failure
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Imaging tests that involve injecting a special dye (contrast media) into your vein -- the amount of urine you produce will increase for up to 24 hours afterwards
Home Care:

You should keep track of the folllowing every day:

  • How much you drink
  • How often you urinate and how much urine you produce each time
  • How much you weigh (use the same scale every day)

Review Date: 1/24/2008
Reviewed By: Marc A. Greenstein, D.O., F.A.C.O.S. Urologist, Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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