Excessive urination: what it can be and what to do

The production of excess urine, known scientifically as polyuria, occurs when you pee more than 3 liters of water in 24 hours and should not be confused with the frequent urge to urinate in normal amounts, also known as polaquiuria.

Generally, excess urine is not a concern and happens only because of excessive water consumption, which needs to be eliminated from the body, but it can also indicate health problems, such as diabetes or kidney failure, especially if it appears for no apparent reason and for several days.

Thus, the ideal is that whenever changes in the urine or in its amount, consult a nephrologist or general practitioner, to identify the cause and start the appropriate treatment. Check out what the main changes in urine mean.

1. Excessive water consumption

This is the most common and least serious cause of excess urine and it happens because the body needs to keep fluid levels well balanced within the tissues of the body, to prevent swelling and also to facilitate the work of important organs, such as the brain. or the lungs.

Thus, when drinking a lot of water, there is also a need to eliminate this excess through urine, resulting in polyuria, that is, the elimination of more than 3 liters of urine per day. The amount of liquids can also be influenced when drinking a lot of coffees, teas or soft drinks during the day, for example.

What to do: if the urine is very clear or transparent, you can slightly reduce the amount of water ingested during the day. Generally, the urine should be light yellow in color, to indicate that the amount of water is adequate.

2. Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is another of the most common causes of an increase in the amount of urine, and this usually happens because the body needs to quickly reduce the amount of sugar in the blood and, for this, it filters this sugar through the kidneys, eliminating it in the urine.

Although it is more frequent that this symptom appears in people who do not know they have the disease, it can also happen in those who already have the diagnosis, but do not do the appropriate treatment, presenting uncontrolled glucose levels. Check for other symptoms that may indicate the presence of diabetes.

What to do: When there is a suspicion of having diabetes, you should consult a general practitioner or an endocrinologist to have tests that help confirm diabetes. Then, adapt the diet and, if necessary, start the use of medications indicated by the doctor. See which tests are most used to diagnose diabetes.

3. Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is a kidney disorder that, although it has an identical name, is not related to diabetes mellitus and, therefore, is not caused by excess blood sugar, being caused by a hormonal change that causes the kidney to eliminate excess water through the urine.

Another very common symptom is the presence of excess thirst, since most of the water is being eliminated from the body. Some causes that can cause diabetes insipidus include trauma to the brain, autoimmune diseases, infections or even tumors. Better understand what this disease is and what its causes are.

What to do: It is best to consult an endocrinologist to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment, which can be done with a low salt diet and with the use of some medications indicated by the doctor.

4. Changes in the liver

When the liver is not functioning properly, one of the symptoms that can arise is excess urine, as well as the frequent urge to urinate. This is because the liver is not able to properly filter the passing blood, so the kidneys may be working harder to try to compensate. In addition to the excess of urine, it is also possible that the color of the urine changes, becoming darker.

What to do: watch out for other signs that may indicate liver problems such as a feeling of poor digestion, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, yellowish skin or even weight loss. If this happens, a hepatologist or gastroenterologist should be consulted to identify the problem and start the most appropriate treatment. Some teas that can help liver health include bilberry, artichoke or thistle tea, for example. Check out 11 symptoms that may indicate liver problems.

5. Use of diuretics

The main function of diuretic remedies, such as furosemide or spironolactone, is to eliminate excess fluids in the body. So if you are taking any of these medications it is normal for you to pee during the day as well.

Generally, these remedies are indicated by the doctor to treat symptoms related to heart problems or even kidney stones, and should not be used without medical advice, especially in weight loss processes, as they can cause the loss of important minerals.

What to do: if you are taking a diuretic as directed by a doctor, but the discomfort of urinating a lot is being very uncomfortable, you should talk to the doctor to evaluate the possibility of reducing the dose or changing the medication. If you are taking it without guidance, you should stop using the medicine and consult a doctor.

6. Pregnancy

Although not a health problem, pregnancy is another very common cause of excess urine. This is because during this stage of a woman's life, there are several changes, especially at the hormonal level that lead to an increase in the amount of blood and the functioning of the kidneys. Thus, it is common for the pregnant woman to urinate more than normal.

In addition, during pregnancy it is also normal for the uterus to grow and put pressure on the bladder, which makes the woman need to urinate more often during the day, as the bladder cannot dilate to accumulate a lot of pee.

What to do: urinating a lot during pregnancy is completely normal, however to try to reduce the amount of urine the pregnant woman can avoid some drinks that stimulate the urine formation process such as coffee and tea, giving preference to water, for example.

7. Excess calcium in the blood

Excess calcium in the blood, also known as hypercalcemia, occurs especially in people with hyperparathyroidism, and is characterized by the presence of calcium levels above 10.5 mg / dl in the blood. In addition to causing a significant increase in the amount of urine, hypercalcemia can also show other signs such as drowsiness, excessive tiredness, nausea and frequent headache.

What to do: If there is a suspicion of excess calcium in the blood, you should see a general practitioner and have a blood test. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor usually uses diuretic remedies to try to eliminate high levels of calcium from the blood quickly. See more about what hypercalcemia is and how it is treated.