Polyuria exists when excessive urine output occurs, beyond that which is necessary to control the internal composition of the body's fluids. There are a variety of reasons why this can occur. They include diseases within the kidney as well as diseases in the pituitary-hypothalamus, that portion of the brain which is responsible for the control of urine output. In addition, excessive water intake as well as a variety of metabolic substances can lead to increased urine output. Polyuria can lead to disruptions in the delicate balance of electrolytes in the body. This can cause many symptoms in many different organ systems.
Causes of Polyuria
The causes of polyuria can be grouped into 4 major groups. These include disorders of excessive water intake. There are disorders of solute diuresis, where a compound within the body, either normally appearing or injected into the body, produces an increase in urine output. Third, there can be disease of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. These portions of the brain produce and control the release of vasopressin, the hormone that controls the loss of water in the kidney's. Last, there can be disease which directly affect the kidney, which fall into three main categories including acquired tubular disease of the kidney, drugs or toxins of the kidney and congenital disorders of the kidney.
Signs and Symptoms of Polyuria
Dehydration, confusion and coma can occur from polyuria which is not appropriate to the person's body chemistry. Excessive urine output is present, which may be difficult to differentiate from urinary frequency. Urinary frequency can occur in a variety of conditions, such as infections of the urinary tract. Loss of Calcium can lead to muscle spasms and rigidity.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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