Urine is a very good indicator of what is going on inside your body. The color, physical characteristics, and content of your urine will tell a medical professional quite a bit about your general health. That’s why, when a person goes in for an annual physical or routine check-up, the doctor often requests you fill a specimen bottle full of urine.
However, there are times you may notice that your urine is looking, or even smelling, a little strange. Should you go see a doctor about this? The situation depends. In this article I’ll give you a guideline of when you should see a doctor, when you can wait and watch, and when you shouldn’t worry.
The characteristics of normal urine: Yellow, transparent urine is normal. Little or no foam is produced. There is nothing to worry about when your urine is yellow, pale, or clear. This simply indicates that the kidneys are functioning properly.
Off-color urine and what different colors might indicate
*Amber: The urine is very concentrated. This usually means that your body is dehydrated. Try to drink more water for a few days and see if the urine returns to a normal color.
*Brown: Brown urine indicates the presence of bilirubin. Bilirubin, or broken-down red blood cells, should not be in the urine. Bilirubin in the urine is an indicator of liver diseases, such as hepatitis. You should go see a doctor as soon as possible.
*Orange: Indicates the presence of Urobilin. Urobilin is similar to Bilirubin and is another indicator of liver disease. See you doctor immediately.
*Bright-orange: Could be from eating too many carrots. If too many orange pigmented dyes are ingested, it could possibly turn your urine bright-orange. Stop eating orange foods for a few days and see if your urine returns to normal. If it doesn’t, see a doctor.
*Red: Any shade of red in you urine means that blood is spilling into your urine. Blood in urine can mean many things, but most often, it means that your urinary tract is damaged or infected. See a doctor immediately.
*Any other color: Probably a side effect of a drug you are taking or possibly from foodstuffs (if the urine is green or blue). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any new drug you are prescribed, particularly if your urine changes color after you begin to take it. If it is any other color change is noticed and you’re not on drugs, see a doctor.
Transparency of urine
Urine should be clear, but occasionally comes out hazy. This is normal if it happens every once in while. However, if hazy urine becomes a constant problem, it could mean that mucus, phosphates, bacteria, pus, or fats are spilling into your urine. These objects should not be present. Many days of hazy urine warrants a trip to the doctor.
Odor
Urine is normally a little aromatic, possibly having a stale smell. However, the odor of urine can tell a medical professional even more about what is going on.
*Foul, putrid smelling urine: Indicates the breakdown of urea from bacteria. This could mean you’re fighting an infection in your body. The likely cause of foul urine is a urinary tract infection. If your urine is foul for a few days straight, see the doctor.
*Sweet-smelling urine: Indicates the presence of ketones. Ketones are broken down fat molecules. When ketones are in the urine, it either means the body is using fat for energy instead of sugars. This is usually caused by one of two conditions, starvation and diabetes. The probable culprit is diabetes and your doctor should advise you. As a side note, people that were successful with the Atkins diet were liable to have ketones in their urine also, so ketones can also indicate successful weight loss.
*Urine that smells like rancid cabbage or rotting fish: Definitely not normal. This indicates an amino acid disorder and your doctor needs to be notified immediately.
There you have it, all you need, and probably more than you wanted, to know about urine. I hope this guide can lead you to better health.
Sources Cited
Mosby Inc., 2007 , Linne & Ringsrud’s Clinical Laboratory Science: The Basics and Routine Techniques 5th Edition, Mary Louise Turgeon
