Urine is an excellent indicator of your health. By observing the color and smell of your urine, we can predict your health status and even alert you to potential underlying diseases in your body.
Diagnosing Illness by Urine Color
According to Dr. Michael Farber, Executive Director of the Health Program at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey, the color, smell, and frequency of urination can reveal what is happening inside your body.
Clear Urine
If your urine is as clear as regular water, that’s fine; it likely means you have consumed a lot of water at once. However, frequent urination can be inconvenient and disrupt other activities, as your bladder may be holding too much water, but there’s no need to worry about your health.
Dark Urine
If your urine is dark brown, resembling iced tea that has been left out, it is a sign that your body is dehydrated and your kidneys are producing concentrated urine (as opposed to dilute urine). Dr. Michael Farber states: “Urine reveals details about dehydration in the body, so if a patient complains of dizziness or lightheadedness, it’s advisable to check the state of their urine to address dehydration.” Another reason to check your urine if it’s too dark, especially after drinking several glasses of water, is that it may indicate issues with your blood. It could be a sign of hemorrhage in the kidneys, which may lead to conditions such as infections, kidney disease, or even cancer.
Sweet-Smelling Urine
If you notice a sweet smell in your urine, this could be a serious sign of something happening inside your body. Dr. Michael Farber says: “The sweet smell could indicate the presence of sugar being excreted in the urine.” High concentrations of blood sugar may be one of the indications of diabetes. The kidneys act as a filter for all waste circulating in the body. However, if your “filter” is damaged, many substances will leak out and appear in your urine. In the case of diabetes, excess sugar in the blood is expelled and found in the urine. If you are pregnant, changes in kidney filtration systems may lead to sugar in your urine. Regardless of whether you are pregnant or not, if your doctor finds sugar in your urine, further testing is recommended as diabetes can be quite concerning.
Unusual Smell in Urine
While it may raise some concern, noticing an unusual smell while urinating is not something to worry about too much. Certain foods, such as asparagus, contain amino acids that produce sulfur compounds. As food is broken down in the digestive system, various odors are excreted, absorbed by the kidneys, and then manifested as an unpleasant smell in the urine. Shortly after the food is fully digested, the strange smell should disappear.
Bright Yellow Urine
Urine that appears bright yellow like neon may seem unusual, but the cause is not dangerous compared to the vitamin pills you take daily. According to Dr. Deborah J. Lightner, a urology professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota: Vitamin B and carotene in urine can cause it to appear bright yellow. And don’t worry: this color is not a cause for concern; it simply indicates the excretion of excess substances from your body. The color of urine comes from vitamins filtered through your system or even from the absorption and usage process.
If urination increases abnormally, consult a doctor.
Blood in Urine
If you notice blood in your urine, some people may consider it normal, while others may feel anxious about it. Dr. Deborah J. Lightner warns: “You should request a urine test if you see blood. For young, healthy women, blood in the urine can indicate a urinary tract infection, but it can also be one of the seven serious signs of bladder cancer in both men and women.” Besides the possibility of infection or, in the worst case, cancer, blood in urine can also result from minor injuries, tears, kidney stones, or side effects from blood-thinning medications or daily aspirin use.
Frequent Urination
Have you ever seen commercials depicting people rushing to the restroom? There are many causes for this symptom, which can sometimes disrupt your daily rhythm. The first reason is to reevaluate your diet and lifestyle. If you constantly drink water at all times and quench your thirst whenever you feel it, you may be overloading your body with water, which can cause your bladder to be constantly full, leading to a frequent urge to urinate. Alternatively, if you’ve recently changed your diet to include more water-rich foods (like fruits and vegetables) that stimulate urination or started taking medications (like antihypertensives) that have a diuretic effect, that may be contributing as well.
One of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection is a constant urge to urinate. Older adults tend to urinate more frequently, affecting both men and women, as the kidneys work at full capacity. However, for men, the prostate plays a significant role. As men age, the prostate enlarges, obstructing the flow of urine and hindering bladder function, leading to a tendency to urinate more often instead of just “emptying” once.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a sensitive topic that is rarely discussed, yet many women, including young girls who have never gone through childbirth, also experience involuntary urination. Dr. Deborah J. Lightner explains that uncontrolled depression can lead to the pelvic floor muscles being unable to handle increased pressure from high-frequency activities such as running or exercising, or even from actions like coughing or sneezing. When the pelvic floor is too weak to withstand these pressures, a small amount of urine may leak out unpredictably. This situation often occurs after a woman gives birth. Another type of incontinence, known as urge incontinence, is not due to weak muscles but rather a dysfunction of the bladder. According to Dr. Lightner, this occurs when your bladder feels the urge to urinate even when you do not actually need to go.
Feeling Restless and Burning Sensation
If you suddenly experience a burning sensation while urinating, this is one of the first signs that you may have a urinary tract infection. Taking antibiotics can clear the infection within a few days, and increasing fluid intake can help flush out the bacteria causing the infection, shortening its duration. Anatomical studies show that men experience urinary tract infections less frequently than women; however, this symptom still occurs. Dr. Deborah J. Lightner warns that urinary tract infections can also lead to prostate infections in men.
Foamy Urine
Experiencing foamy urine can indicate a higher risk of kidney disease. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, it can lead to a buildup of protein in the urine. This protein creates bubbles when it comes into contact with water in the toilet. You are at risk for kidney disease if you have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family member with kidney issues.
Urination with Gas
Bacteria in the bladder can produce gas when you urinate. If you notice any signs of a urinary tract infection, you should see a doctor. Although it’s rare, you may have an abnormal fistula between the bladder and the colon. You are also at risk of developing a fistula if you have a history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, unusual urine color is simply due to not drinking enough water, certain foods, or medication side effects. It should return to its normal color within 2-3 days after you notice the change.
However, you need to be cautious in some situations. If your urine is cloudy, green, and does not return to a pale yellow after 2-3 days, you should schedule a visit to the hospital.
Additionally, if there is blood in your urine, or if it is pink, red, or dark red, you should see a doctor immediately. This is a warning sign of a serious health issue that needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible.
Orange urine may also indicate problems with the kidneys or bladder.
