What is the medical term for excessive production of urine?

The medical term for excessive production of urine is polyuria. This condition is characterized by the excretion of abnormally large volumes of urine, typically defined as more than 2.5 to 3 liters per day in adults. Polyuria can be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, certain medications, and excessive fluid intake.

Understanding this condition is important because it can be a sign of underlying health issues, such as poorly controlled diabetes or kidney problems, which may require further evaluation and management. In contrast, oliguria refers to a decreased urine output, hematuria indicates the presence of blood in the urine, and anuria is the complete cessation of urine production. Each of these terms represents distinct conditions that are essentially the opposite of polyuria in terms of urine volume.