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Polyuria & Urinary Tract Infections

Polyuria and urinary tract infections are two separate disorders that affect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, the kidneys, the ureters and the urethra. Polyuria, the excessive production of urine, is usually a symptom while a urinary tract infection is a condition. Because these two affect the same system, they are often associated with one another.

  1. Polyuria

    • Polyuria is a condition in which the patient urinates an abnormally large volume of urine. The normal volume of urine production per day ranges from 1 to 2 liters. A patient suffering from polyuria produces more than 2.5 liters per day. With the increased urine production, those with polyuria need to urinate during the night, which is usually the first noticeable sign that something is amiss.

    Causes

    • There are many causes of polyuria, ranging from a simple excess intake of liquids to more severe diseases. Prescription medications such as diuretics increase the volume of urine. Polyuria can also be a symptom of a more serious condition such as diabetes, interstitial cystitis, sickle cell anemia or kidney failure. Polyuria is also related to polydispia, which is excessive thirst that may be an emotional condition or a sign of diabetes. A condition known as diabetes insipidus, unrelated to diabetes type I or II, also causes intense thirst and polyuria.

    Urinary Tract Infections

    • A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urethra, the bladder or the kidneys. The infection typically begins in the lower urinary tract, the urethra or the bladder, but if left untreated can move up to the kidneys. The symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, frequent urination with small volume and cloudy or bloody urine.

    Causes

    • A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria being introduced into the urinary system. The majority of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli or other normal gastrointestinal bacteria. This most commonly happens by cross-contamination between the anus and the urethra, which is why women are at a much higher risk of developing this condition than men.

    Association

    • Although these are different disorders, they are often associated with one another. Some mistakenly believe that polyuria is a symptom of a urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection often involves frequent urination; however each urination only produces a very small volume of urine. In fact a patient with polyuria is less likely to contract a urinary tract infection because the continuous flow of urine deters bacteria from taking hold in the system and thriving. Therefore, polyuria and urinary tract infections are indeed separate disorders affecting the same system.

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