Polyuria is an excessive need to urinate. Excessive urination can be a sign of a number of disorders, including diabetes.

Polyuria that occurs over several days and is not due to medications or an increase in fluid intake may be a cause for concern. Left untreated, it can lead to dehydration, a serious complication of diabetes. 

Polyuria can also be due to many other conditions, including diabetes insipidus, other endocrine disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infection, mineral imbalances, head injury, emotional disorders and Wolfram syndrome. Certain medications can also cause excessive urination.

In people with diabetes, polyuria can trigger other symptoms including increased thirst (polydipsia), weight loss and increased hunger (polyphagia). People experiencing polyuria are encouraged to see their physician for appropriate treatment.