A number of diseases and conditions can cause polyuria, including diabetes. Excessive urination may also result from medications or dietary factors, such as the type and amount of fluids being consumed.

In people with diabetes, excessive urination may be a sign of hyperglycemia caused by poor diabetes management or an ineffective diabetes management plan. It is also a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes.

When large amounts of glucose (blood sugar) build up in the bloodstream, the sugar is removed from the body in urine. Additional water is excreted to dilute the glucose. As a result, people begin to urinate more frequently.

A patient may prevent hyperglycemia by following a diabetes management plan that is recommended by a physician, which typically includes a good diet and exercise and may include insulin or antidiabetic agents. When episodes of high glucose occur despite these efforts, a physician may recommend changes to the treatment plan.

The symptoms of diabetes vary from person to person. Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless. It is important for people to see their physician when they experience polyuria or any other symptoms of diabetes. If diabetes is not diagnosed and left untreated, a person with diabetes may faint and lapse into a coma.

Other causes of frequent or excessive urination include:

• Excessive intake of fluids, particularly those containing or alcohol.
  
  
• Age. Nocturnal (nighttime) polyuria is common in elderly people.
  
  
• Medications including diuretics, lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder) and demeclocycline (an antibiotic).
  
  
• Excessive vitamin D.
  
  
• Overactive bladder, a sudden need to urinate followed by a bladder contraction and an involuntary loss of urine.
  
  
• Urinary tract infection.
  
  
• Interstitial cystitis, a bladder disorder caused by chronic inflammation.
  
  
• Kidney failure, nephritis (kidney infection), polycystic kidney disease (disorder involving multiple cysts on the kidneys) or other renal conditions.
  
  
Amyloidosis, a buildup of abnormal proteins that disrupts the function of tissues or organs.


Prostate problems, including enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate cancer.


Sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder in which hemoglobin is defective.

• Diabetes insipidus, an uncommon disorder unrelated to diabetes mellitus.
  
  
• Wolfram syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that include diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.
  
  
• X-ray tests that use a contrast medium (can cause a temporary increase in urination).
  
  
• Psychogenic polydipsia, a psychological disorder in which a person uncontrollably drinks huge quantities of water.

In addition, polyuria can result from the many other conditions that involve excessive thirst, including additional endocrine disorders, mineral imbalances, liver disease, head injury, burns, excessive bleeding and drug abuse.