Oliguria is a condition in which the production of urine in the body is reduced. There are certain factors for the development of this phenomenon, including inflammation of the kidneys, infections, medication, inadequate fluid intake, the reaction of the adrenal glands to stress, and others. This article addresses issues such as the causes of the disease "oliguria", symptoms, treatment of the disease, diagnostic methods. Some alternative therapies for this disease are also suggested.
What is oliguria
The disorder occurs when the amount of urine produced decreases sharply in the body. The norm for the work of the kidneys is the amount of urine equal to 1.5 liters per day. In case of illness, this figure decreases to 300-500 ml or less. Doctors do not consider oliguria as an independent disease, it acts as an adverse condition as a reaction to other health problems. What can lead to the development of the disease? Read more about this later.
Oliguria: reasons
Consider the main factors contributing to the onset of the disease. Oliguria is a condition in which the body produces too little urine. This can result from insufficient fluid intake, damage to the kidneys, which become unable to function normally and produce urine. Quite a variety of factors provoking the development of the disease "oliguria". The causes can be dehydration, heart disease (heart failure, collapse of the cardiovascular system, also known as hypovolemic shock). A low level of fluid volume leads to a failure of the kidneys, the amount of urine excreted is reduced.
Infections, glomerulonephritis
Oliguria is a pathology that can also be caused by certain infectious bacterial infections, in particular cholera, which leads to dehydration due to loss of fluid and electrolytes, the development of weakness, hypotension, severe thirst, muscle cramps, acute watery diarrhea, tachycardia and vomiting. If untreated, cholera can die within a few hours.
Acute glomerulonephritis is another factor that can provoke the occurrence of the disease "oliguria". Symptoms in this case include fatigue, a slight increase in temperature, high blood pressure and swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache, as well as congestion in the lungs and abdominal pain.
Heart failure
In heart failure, oliguria can also develop along the way, which becomes a consequence of a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in renal perfusion. In such cases, a person may experience fatigue and weakness, bloating of the cervical veins, tachycardia, shortness of breath, as well as peripheral edema and dry cough.
Hypovolemia
Hypovolemia is another cause of the development of the disease "oliguria." Symptoms, treatment of the disease based on overcoming the signs of the primary disease, include fatigue and lethargy, muscle weakness, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, hypotension. A distinctive feature of the signs of oliguria caused by hypovolemia is the dryness of the mucous membranes and sunken eyeballs.
Other factors
Other causes include pathologies such as chronic renal failure, especially at its final stage, acute pyelonephritis, renal vein occlusion, gestosis during pregnancy. There are also patients who develop oliguria after surgery, and in this case, the disease is a reaction of the body to a number of factors - dehydration, loss of a large amount of blood, severe infections leading to toxic shock, urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate gland. A reaction to postoperative drugs, for example, diuretics, the medication "Methotrexate" and anticholinergic drugs is also possible.
Diagnostics
For the disease "oliguria", treatment is prescribed after a diagnosis is made and the exact causes of the pathology are identified. The doctor examines the patient, studies his medical history, conducts a conversation in which important information is the volume of fluid consumed per day, the amount and color of urine excreted. Particular attention is paid to the presence of any aggravating factors and accompanying symptoms - fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, increased thirst, recent injuries, medication, and allergies.
Diagnostic tests are also needed to confirm the causes of oliguria. The doctor prescribes a urinalysis to check for inflammation or infection in the kidneys. An X-ray study with the introduction of a contrast agent helps to identify kidney stones and tumors, and ultrasound diagnosis is necessary to check the cyst.
Other diagnostic procedures include computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, cytoscopy, in which a flexible telescope is inserted into the urethra. A blood test shows the presence of anemia, renal failure, and possible urinary tract infections.
Signs and Symptoms
Oliguria is classified based on the factors that caused the disease. For example, prerenal oliguria develops as a result of renal hypoperfusion and decreased fluid intake, resulting in dehydration, diarrhea, bleeding and sepsis. Renal arises due to impaired renal function caused by medication, hypoperfusion, that is, a decrease in their filtering ability. Postrenal oliguria develops when urine outflow is difficult due to an enlarged prostate, tumor, or hematoma.
The disease is determined based on the amount of urine excreted. For example, in infants it is diagnosed with a urine volume of less than 1 ml per kilogram of weight per hour, in older children less than 0.5 ml per kilogram of weight per hour, in adults less than 400 ml per day. If a person notices a steady decrease in the amount of urine produced, then this is a cause for concern and may signal the presence of the ailment "oliguria". In children, the first 3 days of life, an insufficient amount of urine produced is considered the norm. This is a feature of the functioning of the kidneys during this period. It is called "transient oliguria."
In adults, the disease often manifests itself with such common symptoms as dizziness, palpitations, diarrhea, often high fever and vomiting. If a gradual decrease in diuresis is observed within two weeks, then the acute necrosis of the renal tubules may be the culprit of the disorder. Symptoms of oliguria may also include arrhythmia, muscle weakness, lethargy, confusion, itching, cramps, heart failure. The formation of stones in the ureters, urethra and kidneys also often leads to oliguria. Symptoms in this case are: severe pain in the groin, pubic region and in the area of the external genitalia, nausea, bloating, vomiting, fever and chills.
Oliguria and nephrotic syndrome in children
Since the kidneys are responsible for the production of urine in the body, the features of diuresis can be considered as a reflection of the state of these organs. Nephrotic syndrome is a common kidney problem in children and often leads to the development of renal failure. In a healthy kidney, blood passes through it and gives off excess fluid, waste, and creatinine, forming urine. For children with nephrotic syndrome, a decrease in diuresis means that the kidneys are not able to properly filter the blood. The less urine is produced per day, the more severe the condition of the kidneys. Oliguria in children with nephrotic syndrome is a dangerous sign, as this indicates that damaged kidney tissue cannot be restored. In such circumstances, immediate medical attention and treatment are the only option to avoid dialysis and the need for kidney transplantation.
It is possible to cope with nephrotic syndrome with the help of drug therapy, but affected kidney tissue is already more difficult to recover.
Disease treatment
Oliguria is a disease whose effective treatment involves three sequential steps:
- elimination of the pathological cause, the underlying disease;
- restoration of body homeostasis;
- treatment of complications.
Therapy of an ailment always depends on the cause that caused it, and in most cases, diuresis can restore and normalize the state of the body. One of the treatment methods today is the introduction of a catheter into the urethra in order to eliminate its obstruction and remove the accumulation of urine. If there is a risk of renal failure, then an artificial filter is used instead of the kidney, which allows you to restore normal removal of waste products from the blood.
In some cases, hospitalization is necessary, in a hospital, the patient is injected with intravenous fluid if dehydration is observed. It is also shown to stop taking any medications that may have a toxic effect on the kidneys. It is important to restore normal renal perfusion; for this, correction of arterial hypotension and vasodilator drug therapy are necessary.
Polyuria, anuria, oliguria
Problems with the production and excretion of urine can be of a different nature. There are also forms of diuresis disorders, in addition to such a malfunction as oliguria. Anuria is a pathology in which the flow of urine into the bladder is suspended. It is important not to confuse anuria with acute urinary retention when it enters the bladder but is not removed from there. Another violation is polyuria, in which, on the contrary, a lot of urine is formed. An increase in urination may be associated with diseases of the kidneys themselves, with hormonal and other disorders of the body. Polyuria, oliguria, anuria require treatment, which is based, first of all, on eliminating the root cause.
Home Remedies
There are several natural and safe treatments for oliguria, the risk of side effects from their use is minimal. Some of the popular recipes are very popular and have long been used to normalize diuresis. For example, juniper berries are very useful , which help remove toxins from the body, and also stimulate the kidneys and pancreas.
A very effective mixture of crushed cilantro and buttermilk (a non-fat by-product in the preparation of butter). Drink such a drink with every meal. Anemarren leaves and roots are very useful in treating oliguria. All you need to do is pour a tablespoon of the dried mixture of this plant with 300 ml of boiling water and let it brew for a couple of hours. To improve the condition, drink two glasses of this infusion daily until the diuresis is normal.
Plantain seeds and gentian root are considered very effective in treating the disease. Receiving a decoction from these herbal remedies promotes urination, in addition, reduces swelling of the prostate gland. Many healers advise drinking so-called copper water. Pour clean water overnight into a copper container, and the next day, drink this water with copper ions. You can increase urine flow using cardamom powder diluted in warm milk. Drink such a drink should be daily until the result.
So, we examined issues such as oliguria, symptoms, treatment of the disease. For any manifestations of the disease, consult a doctor immediately. In addition, it is recommended to avoid fatty and salty foods, eat balanced, including as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible in your diet. Urinate immediately as soon as urge to urinate occurs. Drink more water while protecting your body from dehydration.