Polyuria is a commonly experienced symptom. Too much urine may be different than an increased frequency of urination. Polyuria needs to be distinguished from the slightly different symptoms of excessively frequent urination, urinary dribbling, or an unusual urgency to urinate.
Too much urine can be caused by any of the following:
- 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.
If too much urine is suspected, the urine volume and cause should be investigated by a health professional.
Risk factors for Increased Urinary Frequency
Caffeine Intoxication
Caffeine is a diuretic, causing increased urination.
Enlarged Prostate
Increases in the number of times a man has to visit the bathroom along with a frequent sensation of having to urinate – especially at night – are among some of the early signs. In addition, a reduction in the force and caliber of urination is also characteristic of prostatic enlargement.
Reasonable/sufficient water consumption
High/excessive water consumption
Fibroids
Mural fibroids (located in the uterine wall) and subserous fibroids (protruding outside the uterine wall) may reach a large size before causing symptoms. These symptoms may include pressure on the bladder with difficulty voiding or urinary frequency and urgency, pressure on the rectum with constipation, lower back and abdominal pain, as well as heavy bleeding.
Increased Urinary Frequency suggests the following may be present
Recommendations for Increased Urinary Frequency
Artificial Sweetener Avoidance
Sugar substitutes like aspartame and saccharin may cause bladder irritation. The most difficult soda to tolerate appears to be diet cola, which is a quadruple whammy of carbonation, caffeine, aspartame and cocoa derivatives, four known bladder irritants.
Key
| Weak or unproven link |
| Strong or generally accepted link |
| Proven definite or direct link |
| Strongly counter-indicative |
| Likely to help |
Glossary
Glucose
A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.
Diabetes Mellitus
A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.
Diuretic
An agent increasing urine flow, causing the kidneys to excrete more than the usual amount of sodium, potassium and water.
Diabetes Insipidus
Excessive production of urine, usually due to insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone.
Psychogenic
Of a psychological origin.
Polydipsia
Chronic excessive thirst.
Constipation
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels.