Do you also feel like you're urinating less? (Oliguria) Let's talk about it!

Have you ever felt like you were urinating less often or less often? You may not have noticed it. But did you know that sometimes this can be a small clue that something else is wrong with your body? So today, let's talk about this decreased urine output, which is medically known as Oliguria .

What is this (Oliguria)?

Simply put, Oliguria is when your body produces less urine than normal per day. The word "oliguria" may sound like a big word, but it actually means "less urine output."

Normally, an adult should pass between 400 and 500 milliliters of urine per day, which is about two cups . If it is less than that, we call it (Oliguria). For small babies and children, these numbers are a little different. This is determined by their weight.

• For an infant: Less than 1 milliliter of urine per kilogram of weight per hour.
• For a child: Less than 0.5 ml of urine per kilogram of body weight per hour.

This decrease in urine output is a common occurrence, as there can be many reasons for this. It is not always dangerous. However, depending on the cause, it can sometimes be dangerous. That is why it is important to be aware of this.

Are there types of this? (Types of Oliguria)

Yes, doctors divide this condition (Oliguria) into two types depending on the duration of its occurrence:

1. Acute oliguria: This is a condition that occurs suddenly.

2. Chronic oliguria: This takes a while to develop. The amount of urine produced decreases over time. This condition is especially common in people who have been on dialysis for a long time due to kidney disease.

What are the symptoms of this? (Symptoms of Oliguria)

The main symptom is that you don't urinate as much as you normally would , or the amount you urinate is very small . Apart from that, other symptoms may also appear depending on the cause. They are:

• Having a stomach ache
• Cold hands and feet
• Flank pain (where the kidneys are)
• A faster than normal heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Increased acidity in the blood (metabolic acidosis)
• Increased potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia)
• Increased waste levels in the blood (uremia)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Swelling (edema)

If you have one or more of these symptoms, especially if you are urinating less, it is best to seek medical advice.

Why does this happen? What are the causes? (What causes Oliguria?)

The causes of oliguria can be divided into three main categories. Think of the urinary system in our body as a water filter. This can be caused by problems in this filter, that is, before the kidneys, inside the kidneys, or after the kidneys.

1. Pre-renal causes:

This means that something goes wrong in the urinary system before the waste filtration process reaches the kidneys. Simply put, this can happen if the kidneys don't get enough blood .

• Dehydration: Not getting enough water in the body. This is the most common cause. This can happen if you vomit a lot, have diarrhea, or sweat a lot.
• Heavy blood loss: If you lose a lot of blood, such as in a major accident.
• Burns: Due to severe burns.
• Sepsis: A condition that affects the entire body due to a severe infection.
• Liver failure.
• Some heart and lung conditions.
• Vascular disease of the kidneys.
• Surgery.

Imagine, you worked hard all morning, sweating profusely, but didn't drink enough water. You may experience a decrease in the amount of urine you produce that day. That's a simple example of a condition called oliguria, which is caused by dehydration.

2. Renal causes:

This means that there is something wrong with both kidneys . If the kidneys are not working properly, there will be less urine production.

• Kidney damage due to medications or toxins: For example, some painkillers can affect the kidneys if taken in high doses for a long time. Some toxins can also cause this.
• Kidney disorders: Kidney-specific conditions such as `(Glomerulonephritis)` (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units) and `(Acute Tubular Necrosis)` (sudden damage to the kidney's tubules).

3. Post-renal causes:

This means that there is a blockage somewhere in the path that urine is produced by the kidneys and leaves the body. Even though the kidneys produce urine, there is no way for it to get out.

• Bladder outlet obstruction: For example, in men, when the prostate gland becomes enlarged (BPH), the urine outlet can become blocked.
• Ureteral stones: When kidney stones become lodged in the ureters.
• Sometimes this can happen to someone who has a urinary catheter and the catheter gets kinked somewhere and gets stuck.

Is this oliguria dehydration?

No, not always. But dehydration is the main and most common cause of Oliguria. If you don't drink enough water, your body's water levels can decrease and your urine output can decrease. However, Oliguria can also be caused by other reasons, such as kidney problems and urinary tract obstructions, which we discussed earlier.

Who is more likely to develop this? (Risk factors)

(Oliguria) can develop in anyone, but some people are at a higher risk:

• People with kidney disease: People with kidney disease are particularly at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI).
• People who are already hospitalized.
• People who are undergoing `(Dialysis)`.
• People over 50 years old.

What happens if you don't pee enough? What are the complications? (What happens if you don't pee enough?)

If the decrease in urine output, especially if it happens suddenly (Acute Oliguria), continues, it means that your kidneys are not able to filter waste properly . This can lead to Acute Kidney Failure . This is a very dangerous condition. Here are some of the fatal complications that can occur:

• Electrolyte imbalances: Things like high potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia) and metabolic acidosis. These can affect the heart.
• Neurological disorders: These can range from hyperreflexia to seizures and coma.
• Digestive system problems: bleeding in the stomach or intestines (gastrointestinal bleeding), inflammation of the stomach (gastritis).
• Heart and blood vessel problems: irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), congestive heart failure, high blood pressure.
• Lung problems: Abnormal breathing patterns, for example ``Kussmaul breathing'' (deep, rapid breathing).

Therefore, it's not a good idea to just wait and see if you're urinating less. It could be a warning from our body.

How do doctors diagnose oliguria?

When you go to a doctor because you're urinating less, he or she will first ask you about your medical history (such as other illnesses you have and medications you take). Then they will do a physical exam. In addition, they may also do a few tests, such as:

• Blood tests: Check kidney function, blood salts, and whether there are any infections.
• Urine tests (Urinalysis): Check how much urine you are passing and what components are in the urine (such as blood, protein).
• Imaging tests: A CT scan or an ultrasound scan of the kidneys/bladder may be done to check for any obstructions or tumors in the kidneys or bladder.

How do you treat oliguria?

Oliguria is treated depending on the underlying cause.

• If it's due to a blockage: The doctor will remove the blockage. It could be a blockage in the urethra, or it could be a blockage in a urinary catheter. A minor operation may be required.
• If it is due to an infection: antibiotics or antifungals will be given.
• If a medication has caused kidney damage: The doctor will stop the medication and start another medication if necessary.
• If it's due to dehydration (such as vomiting, diarrhea): Your doctor will help you rehydrate. This may include giving you fluids like water or juice, or giving you IV fluids.
• If your kidneys are failing (Kidney failure): You may need to undergo dialysis (blood filtration).
• Also, your doctor may advise you to eat foods that are high in protein and calories, depending on your condition.

Is it okay to drink water if I can't pee? (Should I drink water if I can't pee?)

This depends on the cause. If your decreased urination is due to not getting enough water in your body, which is dehydration, then you definitely need to drink water.

The best things are:

• Clean water
• Hydrating solutions containing electrolytes (like Jeevani)
• Light soups (steamed soups)
• Liquid fruit juice
• Some sports drinks

However, if you have kidney disease or heart disease, you should only drink the amount of water your doctor recommends. Otherwise, drinking too much water can cause problems. Therefore, if in doubt, it is best to ask a doctor.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you have heart disease or kidney disease, follow your doctor's instructions about medication, water intake, and diet.

If you feel like you're urinating less than usual, try drinking a little more water first. But if it continues to be low, definitely see a doctor. If your urine turns dark yellow, it's also a sign of dehydration and decreased urine output.

When you see a doctor, you can also ask questions like these:

• What is causing my urine output to decrease?
• Is this a serious situation?
• Do I have severe symptoms?
• What treatments do you recommend?
• Should I be concerned about complications?
• Do I need to make changes to what I eat and drink?
• Should I see a dietitian?

If you experience any of these symptoms along with decreased urination , seek medical advice immediately:

• Abdominal pain
• Confusion/loss of consciousness
• Fatigue
• Fever

How can oliguria be prevented?

• If you have diarrhea or vomiting, drink as much water and fluids as possible. It is very important to avoid dehydration.
• Pay attention to your urinary incontinence as soon as you notice it. It's important to recognize it early.
• If you have breathing problems, kidney disease, or heart disease, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Be aware of the amount of water you should drink per day and the types of foods you should eat.

Final Take-Home Message

A decrease in the amount of urine you produce is your body trying to tell you something . It can be normal, or it can be a sign of a serious underlying problem. If left untreated, serious complications can occur.

Many people are a little embarrassed or embarrassed to talk about urination , or peeing. But keeping track of how many times and how much you pee per day is an important way to learn about your health.

If you are vomiting or having diarrhea, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. If you are drinking normally but still feel like you are urinating less, it is time to see a doctor to find out the cause and get treatment. Doctors are comfortable talking about these things, so they will help you feel comfortable talking about them. You are the one who should be most concerned about your health. So, don't hide anything and talk to your doctor without fear.

` Oliguria, low urine output, kidney disease, dehydration, urinary system, symptoms, treatment