Urination, excessive volume

Alternative names:

polyuria

Home care:

Intake and output of fluids should be monitored. Record physical weight at the same time(s) and on the same scales daily.

Call your health care provider if:

• excessive urination occurs over several days and is not explained by medications or increase in fluids.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the excessive urine volume in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • How long has this been noticed?
  • Does the volume of urine remain comparable from one day to the next?
  • Is the volume large one day and small the next day?
  • What time of day does the problem seem worse?

• quality
  • What color is the urine?
  • Has any blood been noticed in the urine?
  • How many times each day is urination necessary? What about at night?
  • Any problems controlling urine?

• aggravating factors
  • What makes the problem worse?
  • Does drinking large volumes of fluid increase the urine volume?

• relieving factors
  • Is there anything that helps relieve the problem?
  • Does restricting fluid intake reduce the urine volume?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
    • Is there any pain or burning when urinating?
    • Is there pain in the abdomen or back pain?
    • Is there a fever?
    • Is bed wetting a problem?

  • What medications are being taken?
  • Is there a family history of diabetes or kidney problems?
  • Has there been previous urinary tract infections?
  • Dietary factors: What is the amount of fluids consumed each day? Salt? Caffeine? Alcohol?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• blood urea nitrogen test
• creatinine studies
• fluid deprivation test (the intake of fluids is restricted to see if the urine volume decreases)
• serum osmolality and osmolality, urine tests
• serum electrolytes

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to excessive urine volume to your personal medical record.