Urine and changes that affect health

Browse By

Normally, the urine color of a healthy person should be light yellow to gold. But did you know that illnesses and various health problems can cause the color of urine to change to other colors, such as red, orange, blue, green or brown? This change in urine color can be worrying to many people. What are the causes of such changes? You can study from this article. 

What is normal urine color?

Urine  is a liquid waste that is excreted from the body by the kidneys. It usually consists of water, salt, and chemicals such as urea and uric acid. Although normal urine can vary in color, it should be in a yellow hue. The intensity of urine color can range from pale yellow to amber, depending on the amount of water you drink each day. People who drink a lot of water tend to have lighter-colored urine than those who drink less or are dehydrated.

What causes different colored urine?

Urine that changes color can be due to infection, illness, medication, เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย or even your daily diet. Different urine colors are caused by different things, as follows:

  • Dark yellow urine may be caused by dehydration  . Drinking too little water can make your urine more concentrated, resulting in a darker color.
  • Milky or cloudy urine is a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may also give off an unpleasant odor. This type of urine can be caused by a number of things, including bacteria. White blood cells, and kidney stones . 
  • Red or pink urine can be caused by a number of factors, including eating certain foods. Such as blackberries or beetroot. Taking certain medications, such as laxatives containing senna, lead or mercury poisoning, severe muscle injuries, hemolytic anemia, and vaginal bleeding. In addition, certain medical conditions, such as injuries, blockages, infections, kidney disease, or cancer, can cause blood in the urine, which can turn the urine red. 
  • Orange urine is often the result of taking certain medications, such as phenazopyridine, rifampicin, laxatives, sulfasalazine, and some chemotherapy drugs. In addition, eating vegetables and fruits that are high in beta-carotene or vitamin C , such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and citrus fruits, can also cause orange urine.
  • Blue or green urine can be caused by food coloring in certain foods or medications. Dyes used in kidney or bladder tests, bilirubin, a yellow substance found in the gallbladder. The use of certain medications such as methylene blue, and, rarely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the urinary tract, and hereditary hypercalcemia.
  • Brown urine can be caused by eating certain foods, such as aloe vera. Taking certain medications, such as primaquine or chloroquine, urinary tract infections, liver or kidney disease, and severe muscle injuries. 

How to Deal with Abnormal Urination

Abnormally colored urine has a variety of treatments depending on the underlying cause your doctor finds. However, following these tips may help get your urine back to normal, such as: 

  • Drink more water each day to avoid dehydration, which can change the color of your urine.
  • Reduce your intake of certain foods that change the color of your urine. 

Although taking certain medications can cause urine to change color from normal, people with health problems or chronic diseases should continue taking the medication for the full amount and duration prescribed by the doctor.

Symptoms that require seeing a doctor

Patients should see a doctor for further examination if they notice that the change in urine color is not caused by medication or food intake. Especially those whose urine changes color for more than one day or if they have other symptoms such as fever, back pain, flank pain, vomiting, extreme thirst, or vaginal discharge. In addition, if they suspect that there is blood in their urine,  brown urine along with pale stool, or yellow skin or eyes, they should see a doctor immediately.