Wondering How to Stop Frequent Urination in Diabetes? Know Eye-Opening Facts About Polyuria!

What is Polyuria in Diabetes?

Polyuria is a medical condition characterised by passing large volumes of urine more frequently. In polyuria, your body makes more than 3 litres of urine per day, as compared to the normal urine output in adults, which is about 1 to 2 litres every day. Although polyuria may occur due to environmental and other health issues, it is more common in diabetes, both Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.  Polyuria is one of the three main symptoms of diabetes, besides polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyphagia (excessive hunger). Together, these factors are known as the 3 P’s of diabetes.

What Causes Polyuria or Frequent Urination in Diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your body either cannot produce the hormone insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or does not use insulin properly or both (Type 2 Diabetes), resulting in excess glucose (sugar) in your blood. In healthy adults, when the kidneys filter blood to make urine, all of the glucose is reabsorbed by the kidneys themselves and returned to the bloodstream. In diabetes, the blood sugar level is abnormally high and not all of the sugar will be reabsorbed.  Some of the excess sugar from the blood is present in the urine, where it draws more water. This results in your body producing an abnormally large volume of urine at regular intervals throughout the day and night, and as a result, frequent urination. This condition is called polyuria. This diabetes urine color can be cloudy and may also smell sweet or fruity due to the high amount of sugar in the urine.

How to Manage Polyuria in Diabetes?

As polyuria is a symptom of diabetes, it can be managed by making sure that your diabetes is managed and your blood sugar levels are controlled. To manage diabetes, you can take the following steps:

• Medication: Type 1 Diabetes requires insulin therapy. Type 2 Diabetes may require oral or injectable diabetes medication and/or insulin therapy. 
• Healthy Diet: Eat more fibre-containing food like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. as fibre slows carbohydrate digestion and sugar absorption, delaying the rise in blood sugar levels. 
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water and unsweetened fluids to keep your body hydrated as it helps your kidney remove excess sugar from your body.
• Weight Management: If you are overweight, even a minor change in your body weight can lead to a considerable change in your blood sugar levels. Maintaining a healthy weight is necessary to control your blood sugar levels.
• Exercise: Exercising regularly helps your body utilise more glucose and increases the insulin sensitivity of the cells. 
• Blood Sugar Monitoring: Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly can help detect any changes in your blood sugar and take early action.