The color of your urine can denote a lot of things; the urinary system is a storehouse of information regarding your state of health. Odor and color are key urine characteristics that determine the health of the urinary system as well as indicate possible urinary tract infection, dehydration, abnormal blood sugar levels, and your food as well as medicine intake.
Regular urine tests are mandatory to ensure that the kidneys are functioning normally. Here are some characteristics you need to watch out for:
Colorless urine: Urologists have stated that clear or colorless urine is produced when a person’s water intake is very high. In other cases, there might be some kind of chronic renal failure that prevents the kidneys from absorbing the necessary nutrients and causes them to excrete water as urine. Remember, numerous restroom trips throughout the day are okay. They become a matter of concern only if you feel uncomfortable during the process.
Bright yellow urine: Not all urine colors are indicators of poor health. Bright yellow or deep amber colored urine indicates that the body is dehydrated and is not getting sufficient fluids or water intake. The body is under stress to retain the maximum amount of water that it needs, causing the urine to become more concentrated. Apart from this, people who are on certain medications may have bright yellow urine. Hypervitaminosis also results in the production of amber-colored urine.
Brown urine: Brown-colored urine that has the color of tea is a clear indicator of a problem with the urinary tract. More often than not, it indicates the presence of old blood in the urinary tract. It is also a sign of severe dehydration. A lighter shade of urine (the color of straw) that is odorless and spotless proves that the body is healthy and problem-free.
Blood in urine: More serious medical conditions like hematuria, characterized by the presence of blood in the urine, may need urgent medical attention. They may also indicate possible urinary tract infection and other health problems including cancer, kidney stones, or enlarged blood vessels.
Odor of urine: Sweet odor indicates diabetes, while foul odor implies the need for medical diagnosis. Diabetes causes blood sugar levels in the urine to rise, which result in sweetish urine odor. Research indicates that foods like asparagus cause the production of smelly urine due to the production of sulfur-containing amino acid.
People tend to develop complications related to their urinary system as part of the aging process. So, as you grow older, it is recommended that you get your urine tested regularly. Pregnant women also need to be cautious and get regular urine tests.
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