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Warning-sign checks

Decreased urine output: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care if you cannot pass urine and have severe or increasing lower abdominal pain or swelling.

    Also get emergency help for reduced output with severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, blue or grey skin, new confusion, or difficulty waking.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange same-day assessment if your output suddenly falls a great deal, particularly with ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, marked dizziness, new swelling, fever, blood in the urine, or side or back pain.

    Get prompt advice if you have kidney or heart disease, are pregnant, or recently started or changed a medicine.

    Seek prompt advice for noticeably fewer wet nappies with a dry mouth, no tears, unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or a sunken soft spot.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if a mild change continues after your drinking and health return to normal, or keeps happening.

    Persistent weak flow, straining, dribbling, or a feeling that the bladder does not empty should also be checked.

The article also says

Babies and young children can become dehydrated quickly.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Decreased urine output. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.