Excessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.
An excessive volume of urination for an adult is more than 2.5 liters (about 67 fluid ounces or about 2.6 quarts) of urine per day. However, this can vary depending on how much water you drink and what your total body water is. This problem is different from needing to urinate often.
Polyuria is a fairly common symptom. People often notice the problem when they have to get up during the night to use the toilet (nocturia).
Some common causes of the problems are:
- Diabetes insipidus
- Diabetes mellitus
- Drinking excessive amounts of water
Less common causes include:
- Kidney failure
- Medicines such as diuretics and lithium
- High or low calcium level in the body
- Drinking alcohol and caffeine
- Sickle cell anemia
Also, your urine production may increase for 24 hours after having tests that involve injecting a special dye (contrast medium) into your vein during imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI scan.
To monitor your urine output, keep a daily record of the following:
- How much and what you drink
- How often you urinate and how much urine you produce each time
- How much you weigh (use the same scale every day)
Contact your health care provider if you have excessive urination over several days, and it is not explained by medicines you take or drinking more fluids.
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions such as:
- When did the problem start and has it changed over time?
- How often do you urinate during the daytime and overnight? Do you get up at night to urinate?
- Do you have problems controlling your urine?
- What makes the problem worse? Better?
- Have you noticed any blood in your urine or change in urine color?
- Do you have any other symptoms (such as pain, burning, fever, or abdominal pain)?
- Do you have a history of diabetes, kidney disease, or urinary infections?
- What medicines do you take?
- How much salt do you eat? Do you drink alcohol and caffeine?
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood sugar (glucose) test
- Blood urea nitrogen test
- Creatinine (serum)
- Electrolytes (serum)
- Fluid deprivation test (limiting fluids to see if the urine volume decreases)
- Osmolality blood test
- Urinalysis
- Urine osmolality test
- 24-hour urine test
Elsamra SE. Evaluation of the urologic patient: history and physical examination. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.
Updated by: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Water: How much should you drink every day?
Water is essential to good health. Are you getting enough? These guidelines can help you find out.
By Mayo Clinic StaffHow much water should you drink each day? It's a simple question with no easy answer.
Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years. But your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.
No single formula fits everyone. But knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.
What are the health benefits of water?
Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight. Your body depends on water to survive.
Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. For example, water:
- Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements
- Keeps your temperature normal
- Lubricates and cushions joints
- Protects sensitive tissues
Lack of water can lead to dehydration — a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.
How much water do you need?
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:
- About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men
- About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women
These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20% of daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.
What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?
You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal.
Most healthy people can stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they feel thirsty. For some people, fewer than eight glasses a day might be enough. But other people might need more.
You might need to modify your total fluid intake based on several factors:
- Exercise. If you do any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to cover the fluid loss. It's important to drink water before, during and after a workout.
- Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional fluid. Dehydration also can occur at high altitudes.
- Overall health. Your body loses fluids when you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Drink more water or follow a doctor's recommendation to drink oral rehydration solutions. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you may need additional fluids to stay hydrated.
Is water the only option for staying hydrated?
No. You don't need to rely only on water to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion. For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and spinach, are almost 100% water by weight.
In addition, beverages such as milk, juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water. Even caffeinated drinks — such as coffee and soda — can contribute to your daily water intake. But go easy on sugar-sweetened drinks. Regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks usually contain a lot of added sugar, which may provide more calories than needed.
How do I know if I'm drinking enough?
Your fluid intake is probably adequate if:
- You rarely feel thirsty
- Your urine is colorless or light yellow
Your doctor or dietitian can help you determine the amount of water that's right for you every day.
To prevent dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. It's a good idea to drink a glass of water:
- With each meal and between meals
- Before, during and after exercise
- If you feel thirsty
Should I worry about drinking too much water
Drinking too much water is rarely a problem for healthy, well-nourished adults. Athletes occasionally may drink too much water in an attempt to prevent dehydration during long or intense exercise. When you drink too much water, your kidneys can't get rid of the excess water. The sodium content of your blood becomes diluted. This is called hyponatremia and it can be life-threatening.
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Oct. 12, 2022
- Office of Patient Education. The heat is on! Precautions for people with diabetes during the summer months. Mayo Clinic, 2018.
- Auerbach PS, et al., eds. Dehydration and rehydration. In: Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2017. //www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 9, 2020.
- Water & nutrition. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. //www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/nutrition/index.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- Dietary reference intakes for electrolytes and water. U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. //www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/dietary-reference-intakes-for-electrolytes-and-water. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- Franklin BA. Exercise prescription and guidance for adults. //www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- High-altitude travel & altitude illness. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. //wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/noninfectious-health-risks/high-altitude-travel-and-altitude-illness. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- Bardosono S, et al. Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Drinking for two. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 2017; doi:10.1159/000462998.
- Sterns RH. Maintenance and replacement fluid therapy in adults. //www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- Gordon B. How much water do you need. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. //www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/healthy-eating/how-much-water-do-you-need. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- 10 tips: Make better beverage choices. U.S. Department of Agriculture. //www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-make-better-beverage-choices. Accessed Oct. 2, 2020.
- Thomas DT, et al. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and athletic performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.jand.2015.12.006.
- Armstrong LE, et al. Water intake, water balance, and the elusive daily water requirement. Nutrients. 2018; doi:10.3390/nu10121928.
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