It might sound
strange, but every time you go to the toilet you have a chance
to check up on your health. By checking the color
of your urine, you can see whether your body is doing well
or if you need to see a doctor. Sounds easy, right? Now you
just need to know the possible reasons (serious or not) behind each
color.
Our researched what the
color of your urine reveals about your health and suggestions for what you
can do. Have you ever seen your urine appear to be one
of these colors?
Orange
Some anti-inflammatory drugs (Azulfidine), chemotherapy
drugs, and laxatives with senna can cause an orange color. Overconsumption of
vitamin B2 or beta-carotene (carrots) could also be a reason. If you were not
exposed to any of the above, then:
Drink more water. Dehydration can cause urine to be highly
concentrated and vary from dark yellow to orange. In just a couple of hours, it
should return to its normal clear yellow color.
Check your eyes. If you notice any yellowish tint in the
whites of your eyes, then orange urine can be a sign that your liver is not
functioning properly. You should make an appointment with a doctor immediately.
Pink and reddish
It’s
probably alarming to see reddish or pink urine, but
it is not necessarily serious as it could be caused
by food or medications. Before worrying, see the reasons behind this
color.
Foods: If you
ate beetroot, blackberries, or rhubarb,
then you have nothing to worry about. Some of the compounds that make
these foods red are excreted in your urine after the kidneys do their
job. Normally, it clears up by the next day.
If it doesn’t, you should make an appointment with
a doctor.
Medications: Certain
antibiotics (like Rifadin and Rimactane) used to treat tuberculosis can
turn urine reddish. Phenazopyridine, which is used to treat urinary
tract infections, and laxatives containing senna can also be reasons for
a pinkish color.
Blood: Blood in your
urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection,
kidney disease, cancerous or noncancerous tumors, or bladder
or kidney stones. If you see any blood clots or other tissues
in your urine, see your doctor immediately. Specialists stress that this
is rare but underdiagnosed, especially in women as they usually
shrug it off as a weird period fluke
Green or blue
It might
be shocking to see this color, but it’s rare and could
be caused by:
Foods: Eating
artificially dyed foods or asparagus. Nothing to worry about.
It will clear up in a day or 2.
Medications: Some
medications (like Amitriptyline, Indomethacin, and Propofol) can cause the
change of color.
Attention: If you
haven’t been exposed to any of the above, then you should contact
your doctor. A green color can signal a rare urinarytract infection caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas. The bug can also
cause kidney stones.
Brown
If you
see brown shades in your urine, it could be a sign
of dehydration. Among the foods that can turn your urine brown are rhubarb
and fava beans. But it’s better to get it checked out, especially
if you drink lots of water but the color doesn’t go away. Brown
urine could indicate problems with your liver and kidneys.
Attention: If your
brown urine is followed by abdominal pain, rashes, and seizures,
there is a high possibility of a genetic condition. Also,
blood appears brownish when it disintegrates, and this can
be a sign of a more serious condition like a tumor.
Foaming or fizzing
Having
foamy urine from time to time is normal and is usually due
to the speed of urination. But if it keeps coming back and
is more noticeable over time, you should see your doctor.
Foamy
or fizzing urine can be a sign of protein in your
urine, and this needs professional evaluation as an increased amount
can signal a serious kidney problem.
Transparent
If your urine
is completely transparent, it is a sign that you are
drinking too much water. This can cause certain risks, the most important
of which is diluting the salts in your body. This can
create a problematicchemical imbalance in your
body. You should consider drinking less water.
Pale straw yellow, transparent yellow, dark
yellow
These colors mean you
have nothing to worry about. Ideally, your urine should be a pale gold color. A pale yellow shows a good balance
between being under and over hydrated. More concentrated urine
is a sign that you need more water. Just keep in mind one golden
rule: if it looks like lemonade — good for you!
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