Have you also experienced a decrease in the amount of urine you produce? Let's talk about Oliguria

Have you ever felt that you urinate less often or in less quantity? Normally, our kidneys produce urine as needed to maintain the balance of the body. That is, the kidneys do their job by looking at things like the amount of water we drink and the amount of sweat we produce. However, if you suddenly experience a decrease in the amount of urine you produce, it could be a sign of a health problem. Today we are talking about this condition called 'Oliguria'.

What exactly is Oliguria?

Simply put, oliguria is when your body produces less urine than usual. For an adult, we consider it oliguria if the amount of urine produced per day is less than 400 milliliters. For young children and babies, this amount is calculated based on their weight.

But along with this, there is another serious condition that we need to know. That is Anuria . If the condition of oliguria is not treated properly, it can develop into anuria. Anuria is when the production of urine by the kidneys is greatly reduced, with 100 milliliters or less being excreted per day. This is a very serious condition. Because it means that the kidneys are losing their ability to filter blood. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical treatment immediately.

What are the causes of decreased urination?

There can be many reasons for decreased urine output. Some are normal, while others require medical attention.

Main cause: Dehydration

This is the most common cause of oliguria. Dehydration occurs when our body does not get enough water, or when too much fluid is lost from the body. Imagine, you are vomiting , or your stomach is distended. Then a lot of water is lost from the body. At that time, the kidneys reduce the production of urine to save water in the body. Therefore, it is very important to drink plenty of water.

Burns and serious accidents

After a major burn, a large amount of water is lost from the body. This can lead to severe dehydration and decreased urine output . Also, severe accidents can cause excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) , anaphylactic shock caused by a severe allergic reaction) , or septic shock caused by an infection after surgery).This situation can also occur due to things like ).

Urinary tract obstruction

Urine produced in our kidneys travels to the bladder and out through a system of tubes. It's like the plumbing system in a house. If something gets stuck somewhere in this system, urine stops flowing out.

• Kidney stones
• Scar tissue that forms after surgery
• Things like a tumor can cause these blockages.

Some medications

Some medications you take can also cause decreased urination.

Other illnesses

• Kidney disease: Sometimes oliguria is not a result of kidney failure, but can be a symptom of kidney disease. That is, it is a sign that the kidneys are not working properly.
• Heart disease or lung disease:In conditions like heart failure, the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. This reduces the amount of blood that goes to the kidneys, which in turn reduces urine production. If you have these conditions, it is important to let your doctor know about your decreased urine output.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you a few questions. How long you have had this problem, how much urine you are passing, whether you have any other symptoms like vomiting or stomach pain, and what medications you are taking.

Then, a physical exam will be performed and a urine sample will be requested. A urine test can check for infections or other problems. Sometimes, an ultrasound scan may be done to check the kidneys or other organs. In other cases, a cystoscopy may be performed, which involves inserting a small tube with a camera (endoscope) into the bladder to look inside.

The most important thing is to tell a doctor if you notice a decrease in urination, without ignoring it. The sooner the cause is found, the easier it will be to treat.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your condition.

• If it's due to dehydration: Your doctor will tell you to drink plenty of water and fluids that contain electrolytes, such as Jeevani. If the condition is severe, you may need to be given saline (IV fluids) into a vein.
• If it's due to a blockage: If you have small kidney stones, drinking plenty of water will help them pass. Sometimes, you can be given medication to help pass the stones. If the stones are large, you may need to have a treatment called lithotripsy, which uses sound waves to break them up, or surgery.
• If it's due to medication: Your doctor may decide to reduce your dose or give you a different medication. But remember, never stop taking a medication or change the dosage without talking to your doctor first.
• If it's due to kidney disease: You will be referred to a doctor who specializes in kidney disease, called a nephrologist . If the condition is severe, a kidney transplant or dialysis treatment, which is a machine that cleans the blood, may be necessary.