Your kidneys filter wastes, excess fluids and minerals, and other substances that your body can’t use out of your bloodstream. They produce urine as a way to transport the wastes out of your body. If your kidneys stop producing urine or produce very little (less than 500 mL per day), this condition is called anuria.*

When you are unable to urinate, the wastes that should be expelled can back up or be absorbed back into the body, which can cause potentially life-threatening health problems. Understanding anuria can help you identify danger signals and seek timely medical attention. 

What causes anuria?

Anuria is typically caused by underlying injury or medical condition, such as:

• Diabetes: When your blood sugar is consistently high, it can damage the small blood vessels of your kidneys, and cause acute (sudden) kidney failure. Diabetes is also the leading cause of chronic kidney disease.  
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure: CKD progresses over many years, and if not caught and treated early, it often leads to kidney failure and a need for dialysis or kidney transplant.
• Kidney stones: Kidney stones are crystalline particles that can block your kidneys or ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urethra). When these tubes are blocked, urine is unable to pass out of your body. 
• High blood pressure: Like diabetes, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys over time. Without proper treatment, high blood pressure can result in permanent kidney damage and anuria.
• Tumors: A tumor on or near your kidney can prevent your body from passing urine.
• Enlarged prostate: As with a tumor, an enlarged prostate can block the passing of urine but doesn’t imply kidney damage.
• Heart disease and heart failure: When your heart can’t pump enough blood around the body, other organs respond in ways intended to support survival. Your kidneys respond by stopping urine production in order to conserve fluids. 

What are some other signs to look for?

Since anuria is a symptom of a medical condition, your body may also exhibit signs that indicate what that condition could be. In addition to shared symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, confusion and/or difficulty concentrating, and fatigue, you may see these other signs from the following conditions.

Kidney disease can cause: 

• Swelling in your face, hands, legs, ankles, and feet
• Itching and/or skin rash
• Pain in your side
• Shortness of breath

Heart failure can cause:

• Swelling in your legs
• Rapid heart rate
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing or wheezing

Diabetic ketoacidosis can cause:

• Abdominal pain
• Dry mouth and excessive thirst
• Diarrhea 
• Loss of appetite
• Fruity-scented breath

Kidney stones and tumors can cause:

• Sharp pains in your abdomen or pelvis

If you experience anuria and notice any of these other signs, call your doctor or seek medical attention promptly.

How is anuria diagnosed?

To anuria, your doctor will:

• Assess your symptoms 
• Ask for your medical history and medication use
• Order blood and urine tests

Your doctor might also recommend an imaging test, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. If that is not sufficient, they may order a biopsy of your kidney tissue, too. 

How is anuria treated?

Treatment of anuria is dependent upon the underlying cause but may involve:

• Diabetes and blood pressure management
• Removal of kidney stones or tumors
• Kidney disease management
• Lifestyle changes

Most, if not all, treatments plans are likely to include:

• Changes to your diet 
• Changes to your water (or other fluid) intake
• Exercise regimen
• Quitting smoking
• Stress management

Understanding anuria is critical to your health and wellbeing. If you have trouble urinating, take stock of any other symptoms and seek medical help promptly.

*Stephens, C. (2018, Jan. 19). What You Should Know About Anuria. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320663