II. Definitions
- Polyuria
- Large volume of urine at increased frequency
- Formal definitions have included urine in excess of 3 Liters/day
III. Causes
- Primary Polydipsia
- See Isovolemic Hypoosmolar Hyponatremia
- Hypothalamus disorder
- Water Intoxication (Psychogenic Polydipsia)
- Medications (Thioridazine, Chlorpromazine, Anticholinergic Agents)
- Impaired conservation of renal water
- Diabetes Insipidus
- Central Diabetes Insipidus
- Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (most common)
- Solute diuresis
- Glycosuria (Diabetes Mellitus)
- High Protein tube enteral feeding
- Urea infusion
- Mannitol infusion
- Chronic Renal Failure
- Radiographic contrast dye
- Natriuretic syndrome
- Salt-losing nephritis
- Acute Tubular Necrosis (Diuretic phase)
- Diuretics
- Diabetes Insipidus
IV. References
- Coe in Wilson (1991) Harrison's Internal Medicine, 12th ed, McGraw Hill, p. 275