Facts About Urine

Urine may just be a liquid waste, produced by the kidney that is excreted out from the body, however, you would be surprised to know the fact that urine reveals a lot about a human’s health. So the next time, don’t just simply flush your urine. Rather, observe its characteristics like the smell, the color, frequency of urination etc. and give it a thought. Knowing some of the amazing facts about urine can help you understand what certain features can indicate.

What Does the Color of Urine Indicate?

Facts About Urine

Urine consists of water, salt as well as chemicals like uric acid and urea. The composition of urine may alter depending upon the food one consumes, medication regime and most important of all, the illness. Here are some facts about urine that indicate some possible health concerns.

Following are the various ways to understand, one’s health by just observing the urine’s basic characteristics:-

What Does the Color of Urine Indicate?

One of the most amazing facts of urine is that the color of urine tells a lot about the health status.

Pale Yellow Urine Color: In the list of facts about urine color, the most relieving indication is that a pale yellow urine color signifies that the person is normal and healthy. The color can range from gold to pale yellow. Urochrome is the pigment in the urine, which is responsible for the yellow color of the urine.

Colorless Urine: A urine, without any color, signifies the following that you may be consuming a lot of water or that you may be on diuretics which leads to the formation of a high volume of urine in the body. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about, if your urine is colorless.

Brown or Dark Honey Colored Urine: Brown or dark honey colored urine may signify that the individual is drinking very less water. An important fact about urine color here, is that this is possibly a sign of dehydration or it can be a warning sign of a problem with the liver or gall bladder. Dehydration may be managed by increasing the water intake, but in severe cases, medical aid is required. Liver or gall bladder problems often present with other complains of digestion or changes in appetite and sometimes, even pain. Seeking medical advice may help in early detection and treatment.

Red or Pink Colored Urine: There can be multiple reasons for the red or pink color of the urine.

To add to the facts about urine, red or pink color of urine may be noted after an over consumption of some food items like beets, carrots, rhubarb, blackberries etc.

The second significant reason can be the side effects of various medications like antibiotics (Rifampicin) or UTI (urinary tract infection) medications such as phenazopyridine.
The third reason can be infection in the prostrate, kidney, tumor or a urinary tract infection. The red color of the urine can also be due to the presence of blood discharge in the urine.

Therefore, if the color of the urine is red or pink (apart from the possibility of the food items like beets, carrots, rhubarb, blackberries etc. that may cause it), it is always advisable to consult your physician.

Green or Blue Colored Urine: Blue or green color in the urine can be due to the presence of dyes in the food items that you may have consumed.

Apart from this, the green or blue color facts about urine are that it can due to the following medications:-

  • Anesthetic Propofol
  • Promethazine
  • Medications meant for asthma and allergy.

Orange Colored Urine: There can be multiple reasons for having urine of orange color. These facts about urine color include the following causes,

  • ‘Orange, citrus fruit flavored drink’ like urine color can be medications like antibiotics (isoniazid), Urinary tract infection medication (phenazopyridine) and vitamin B2 (in high doses).
  • Orange colored urine can be due to dehydration. Noticing this fact, the individual should immediately consume sufficient quantities of water to fulfill the body’s fluid requirement and rectify the issue.
  • It can be a diseased liver or bile duct.
  • On noticing the change in the color of the urine to orange, it is advisable to meet your physician as soon as possible.

Foamy Look of Urine

Irrespective of the color, if the urine consistently appears frothy or foamy in nature, it’s a clear sign of the presence of protein in the urine. This normally occurs if the kidney doesn’t work properly and therefore you should immediately consult your physician. These facts about urine help raise suspicion and with proper evaluation the condition can be diagnosed in time.

Does Smell Of Urine Indicate Something?

Just like the color, the smell of urine is equally important and reveals many facts about urine.

  • Odorless – Normally urine doesn’t have any smell. If your urine doesn’t smell, then it is a clear indication of good healthy.
  • Sulfur Smell – Overconsumption of certain food items like asparagus can change the odor of the urine to a sulfur like smelling fluid.

Some medications like vitamin B-6 also alter the odor of the urine to a sulfur like smelling fluid.

  • Smell of Ammonia – An over concentrated urine smells strongly like ammonia. There is nothing to worry about in such a condition. Noticing this fact, an individual should immediately consume sufficient quantities of water to fulfill the body’s fluid requirement.
  • Unexplained and Intolerable Smell – Such a smell is a clear indication of a bladder infection, diabetes, a metabolic disease or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

What Does Frequency of Urination Indicate?

Apart from the appearance of urine, the frequency too adds to many facts about urine. These too can indicate various concerns and some may require medical aid.

Normal Frequency – Ideally, emptying the bladders, 7-8 times in a day is considered normal, however, it can vary a bit depending upon the volume of water one drinks, types of drink (like alcohol or caffeine) one consumes in a day, type of food etc.

Change in Frequency of Urination – As some of the most important facts about urine, any change in frequency of urination may point towards certain conditions that need attention. The frequency of urine may get altered if you are on certain medications, especially diuretics, which promote excessive formation of urine in the body and is normally given in cases of edema. There is nothing to worry if the frequency of urination increase, while you are on diuretics. If the urge to urinate increases suddenly, following can be the reasons that may cause the change in the frequency of urination:-

  • Pregnancy
  • In old age, as the urinary bladder becomes overactive and its capacity to hold urine decreases. This leads to an increase in the frequency of urination. There is nothing to worry in this case, as it is a normal body change that happens, with age.
  • Health problems like an enlarged prostrate in men, urinary tract infection (UTI), issues with the bladder’s wall (also called as interstitial cystitis), diabetes and vaginitis in women.

Any of the unexpected color, smell or frequency changes may prove to be crucial facts about urine. Observing any such changes can be the first step towards detecting the underlying condition and moving towards treatment, thereafter. If any changes that determine the facts of urine are accompanied by warning signs like nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, pain, fever, or any other unexpected symptom, make sure you see the doctor at the earliest. Remember, “A disease can only be cured, once it is detected”. Therefore, do not ignore any visible changes.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:April 16, 2019

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