What exactly means diuresis?

[healthresearch]

I always thought diuresis means normal excretion of urine, but practically every single online dictionary (Merriam Webster, dictionary.com) says diuresis is increased excretion of urine. But the term for excessive urination is polyuria. I really don't think diuresis and polyuria are synonyms.

Any thoughts about the exact definition?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Again, to debate a etymology of a word when the root has been used as a form of describing a particular form of urination does not mean it's being used incorrectly; it has an appropriate use and has been applied correctly, as when I described diuretics.

These terms that we use are not arbitrarily applied.

[healthresearch]

I was avoiding the use of in/correctly this whole thread, but the use of diuresis for increased urination is unusual when you know how the related terms have poly- or hyper- prepositions for "more" or "increased" and diuresis does not. Don't you find this confusing:

uria = urination , so polyuria is excessive urination, as expected.

but

diuresis = increased urination, despite that by the usual use of etymology it should be only urination, because the root diourein just doesn't have nothing about "more" or "increased" in it.

For diuretics, I could say they "increase diuresis" — in this case diuresis reads as urination. You could also say they "cause diuresis" — in this case diuresis reads as increased urination...so I don't think this example can be used to explain the meaning of diuresis.

Let me say clearly: If a certain term is defined and written down officially, I mean that its use is regulated by an official rule or doctrine, then of course using that term would be "correct." It's like after a law is confirmed, doing things according to that low is officially correct, even if the law itself is bad or unjust. But laws can be criticised and changed. Many medical terms were changed recently. What was once spastic colon is now irritable bowel syndrome, unstable bladder became overactive bladder, etc. to match the wording with the mechanism better.

I think the use of diuresis for increased urination is unusual and, from the writing perspective, a bit confusing. The term has probably stuck because it sounds simple and "hyperdiuresis" or "polydiuresis" would sound stretched.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As you have been told...in the US diruesis means to increase urine production. It is what it is and it is NOT unusual. Physicians that I work with from Europe and other countries know what the term diuresis means and use it accordingly. The root of the words in medicine where they originate from which is NOT a direct translation to meaning.

This is a professional nursing site and not a Greek to English dictionary.

What degree do you possess again?

[kdunurse]

I think the use of diuresis for increased urination is unusual and, from the writing perspective, a bit confusing. The term has probably stuck because it sounds simple and "hyperdiuresis" or "polydiuresis" would sound stretched.

Yes, we Americans are unusual and a bit confusing :)

[jlautier]

Diuresis: increased production urine d/t a medication to increase urine production. Polyuria: is a symptom.