The medical term used for low urine output is Oliguria. It is a condition characterized by low urine output, typically less than 13.5 fluid ounces each day. It can be a serious medical issue that needs immediate treatment.
Low urine output in simple words occurs in those who are sick and have lost too much fluid from their body. Oliguria is a result of an obstruction in the urinary tract, but many other possible causes are also responsible for this. Each cause may require a different type of treatment accordingly.
The common causes may include:
Dehydration
Drinking less than the required limit may trigger dehydration in an otherwise normal person. Dehydration occurs when the body’s needs of fluid are not fulfilled either because of not enough liquid from the diet or because of releasing too much water in the form of sweat. According to a study it was found that it only takes only 3% of body weight in water to experience dehydration.
The other common causes include fever, diarrhea, vomiting. All these causes make it hard for the person to retain more liquid instead use a lot of body fluid. The kidneys in return try to preserve the body’s fluid by not passing the urine.
Dehydration is life-threatening in young ones because they may not recognize the symptoms. So, it is necessary that as a mother you should make them consume foods that have liquid content in them, be it fruits, vegetables, soups, juices, etc. In order to counter dehydration, a person should slowly drink more fluid. Certain electrolytes are available in the market that can help replenish the body’s salts and liquid balance.
Severe infections or trauma
Infections or physical injuries like blood loss, sepsis affects the urine output by causing the body by leading the body into shock. The kidneys cannot make urine in the absence of blood flow which also puts a person at the risk of dehydration. Shock requires treatment and the doctors start the treatment only after conducting some tests.
Blockage in the urinary tract
A blockage in the urinary tract can also cause low urine output. This is caused by the damage to the tissues in the urinary tract that prevents the urine from leaving the body. Some causes may include:
- kidney stones
- benign enlargement of the prostate gland
- unusual anatomy in the urinary system due to surgery-related or hereditary conditions
- blood clots in the urinary tract
- damage to the bladder controlling nerves
- cervical cancer
- prostate cancer
- colon cancer
- bladder cancer
The treatment of blockages in the urinary tract may involve discovering where the blockage actually is with the help of ultrasounds, X-rays, CT scans, imaging tests, etc. A blockage can also be a sign of cancer. So, an in-depth diagnosis is needed. The treatment may depend upon the cause of the blockage.
Medications
There are medicines that result in loss of urine output. Too much consumption of these medicines also puts you at the risk of acute kidney injury for which low urine output is one of the common reasons.
Following are the medicines the excess consumption of which elevates the risk of dehydration:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- aminoglycoside antibiotics
- angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Immunosuppressants
- Chemotherapy drugs
- contrast agents
If you are on these medications, make sure you regularly drink enough water to stay hydrated.
Kidney failure
Kidney failure is another common reason why you may witness a low urine output. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the excess fluid and produce urine. In the event of kidney damage, you can expect the urine amount to get low than usual. Doctors test people with low urine output for various kidney function parameters. Early detection may halt or slow down the progression of kidney disease. AKF is treatable with ayurvedic treatment for acute kidney failure.
Upshot
The cause of low urine output can be as simple as not consuming enough liquid and as severe as acute kidney failure. Make sure to meet hydration needs can help combat complications related to dehydration. In some cases, when low urine output is a sign of serious disease such as AKD, you will need acute kidney failure ayurvedic treatment.
