PharmEasy Blog

8 Things Your Urine Can Tell You

There are some things that we take for granted. Our seemingly innocuous trips to the washroom could be a significant pointer towards the status of our health. You wonder how? Our urine can offer insights into how healthy we are. Here are a few things that it can tell.

1. Dehydration

One of the prime things that our pee can tell us is how well hydrated we are. Dark urine is a sign of dehydration which means that we are taking in much fewer fluids than what our body requires. The amount of water your body needs depends on your gender, body type, diet, where you stay and how active you are. Though, the standard norm is to drink a minimum of eight glasses.

2. Vegetable Intake

Eating certain fruit and vegetables can change the color of your urine. For example, overeating beetroot changes the color to red or pink. Other food items that cause discoloration are rhubarb, aloe and fava beans, carrots and asparagus.

3. Effects of Medicine

Urine can also get discolored because of the impact of some medicines. Malaria medication turns it to dark brown. Medicines that have blue dye like indomethacin and promethazine are responsible for a blue or green hue to the urine.

Urine cytology does find some cancers, but it’s not much reliable, it may also be used to test for tumor markers and look for certain substances in urine that might be a sign of bladder cancer.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

4. Too Much Water

Pale urine that is straw-colored is considered normal. Anything that deviates from this norm should be worrisome. While having fewer fluids could cause dehydration, too many fluids are also not healthy. Overhydration can lead to loss of essential salts from your body and can trigger a fatal chemical imbalance that can cause even death. This is known as water intoxication.

In my practice i have seen many patients coming with complaints of blood in urine and the urine colour does look red. But these patients when urine is tested there is no RBCs in urine, however they had eaten beetroot the previuosly. Its important to understand that food colours do cause change in urine colour.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

5. Notice the Smell

Smelly urine is the first sign of trouble. While being dehydrated and eating specific items can add some odor to your urine, certain diseases also make it smelly. Diabetes, urinary infection, kidney problems and liver issues can add obnoxious odor to the urine. If you notice a smell, talk to your doctor.

6. Urinary Tract Infection

The state, color and smell of the urine can point out the possibility of a urinary tract infection. If it is green, smells strong and is cloudy and you feel a burning sensation, you might be suffering from a urinary tract infection. Check with your doctor for further treatment. You may check out some home remedies for UTI and see if it helps you to some extent before starting medications.

7. Hyperglycemia

High levels of glucose point towards diabetes. Not just in blood, these high readings can show in your urine as well. The doctor can take a sample and have it checked. Diabetes can lead to kidney failure, heart disease and stroke amongst other problems.

8. Pregnancy

Another thing that can be figured out from testing a urine sample is pregnancy. This can be done through over-the-counter tests that check for HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone that is present only in the bodies of pregnant ladies. The tests show the best and most conclusive results five to ten days after missing periods.

Also Read: Non-Sexual Causes of UTIs: Understanding the Risk Factors

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

3