What causes low urine specific gravity?

Low urine specific gravity may be caused by excessive water intake, use of diuretics, nephritis, diabetes insipidus, or renal tubular acidosis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessive water intake: Drinking large amounts of water or consuming foods with high water content—such as watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes—may relatively reduce solute concentration in urine, leading to low urine specific gravity. It is advisable to regulate water intake and avoid drinking large volumes in a short time, which can help improve these symptoms.

2. Use of diuretics: Commonly used medications include furosemide tablets, losartan potassium-hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and spironolactone tablets. When taken as prescribed, these drugs promote excretion of fluid from the body, increasing urine output, which may result in low urine specific gravity. This condition typically resolves after discontinuation of the medication, so there is generally no need for excessive concern.

3. Nephritis: This may be associated with factors such as urinary tract obstruction or bacterial infection. The disease may impair kidney function, reducing the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, thus causing low urine specific gravity. Patients may also experience bodily edema. It is recommended that patients take medications such as valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, and amoxicillin capsules as directed by their physician.

4. Diabetes insipidus: This condition may be related to brain injury or pathogen infection. Due to insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone, patients may produce excessive amounts of diluted urine, resulting in low urine specific gravity and often accompanied by increased thirst and fluid intake. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions when using medications such as carbamazepine tablets, niacin sustained-release tablets, or desmopressin acetate for injection.

5. Renal tubular acidosis: This is usually caused by genetic factors or autoimmune diseases. The illness may impair renal tubule function, disrupting the acid-base balance in urine and preventing normal solute concentration, thereby leading to low urine specific gravity. Patients may also experience fatigue and increased thirst. It is recommended that patients use vitamin AD soft capsules, compound aluminum hydroxide tablets, alendronate sodium tablets, or similar medications under medical supervision to improve symptoms.

In daily life, patients are encouraged to engage in moderate physical activities such as walking or jogging, avoid staying up late, maintain a light diet, and consume fresh vegetables such as radish, cabbage, and lettuce appropriately, all of which may benefit recovery.