Is low urine output dangerous?
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It is quite possible that low urine output could be dangerous, depending on what’s causing it. Oliguria
is the medical term for low urine output.
There can be a number of factors causing it:
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
Find out exactly what is causing the low urine output, then deal with it accordingly.
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Definitions of different urine conditions
- Oliguria= Low urine output
- Polyuria=Excessive urine output
- Anuria= No urine output
Importance of keeping an eye on the urine
It is a centuries-old method to check out one’s pee to ponder on his health. As you go to your physician, he surely would ask you about the color of your pee and how frequently you go to the loo. He also provides you with a urine sample collecting bottle to have a look at it under the microscope. All of this is quite helpful in tracking down the exact root of the cause.
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Why do I pee so little?
Ever wondered why, although you have had almost a gallon of water, drinks, and juices and still did not feel like urinating?
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Do not take it lightly. (Although the lighter the color of your urine, the better..!!:) ) It can be because of certain kidney diseases that may result in Acute Kidney Failure or Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).
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Who is at risk of oliguria?
- Those who are old.
- Hospital-bound people.
- Those who have dialysis.
Causes of oliguria
- Pre-renal- A problem exists before the waste product reaches the kidney.
- Renal- A problem exists in the kidney.
- Post-renal- A problem exists after the waste product gets out of the kidneys.
Pre-renal causes
- Heart disease.
- Lung disease.
- Kidney vascular disease.
- Hypovolemic (Low blood volume) due to less fluid intake, liver surgery or failure, burns, sepsis, or heavy blood loss.
Renal causes
- Side effects of medications.
- Glomerulonephritis.
- Acute tubular necrosis.
- Accumulation of toxins.
Post-renal causes
- Blocked urinary tract. The kidneys produce urine but it does not happen to pass out.
- Kidney stones.
- Bladder outlet obstruction.
Related Post: Benefits of Drinking Water
How to diagnose oliguria?
Through:
- Physical exam.
- Complete medical history.
- Urine tests.
- Blood tests.
- Imaging tests like Ct scans or urinary bladder/kidney ultrasounds.
Treatments for Oliguria
Depending upon the cause, your oliguria can be treated by:
- IV drip, if you are having diarrhea or vomits.
- More fluids to get rid of small kidney stones.
- Sound waves to break large kidney stones.
- Surgery for other types of obstructions.
- The side effect of some medicine then the doctor will lower the dose or replace it with a different one.
- For a kidney disease- a Nephrologist will help you out. He will advise you whether you need dialysis to get toxins and extra water removed from the body or a transplant.
Points to Ponder
- Keep an eye on the frequency and amount of pee in a day. It will help you to keep a check on your health.
- During diarrhea and vomiting, increase your fluid intake. In order to make sure that your pee game remains strong.
- Although you are having the right amount of fluid intake, still you are not peeing enough, then take it as a red flag and go to your doctor right away. He will run a few tests to get to know what exactly is the hurdle in the ‘free flow.’
- Oliguria, if left untreated, may lead to anuria (no urine output). Anuria may be fatal.