The body gives signals, and knowing how to observe it
can provide clues
regarding issues related to health. Just as the same thing was published a while ago in this same section with fecal matter, the color of urine can also be an indicator that something is not right. And knowing what is normal and what is not can be illuminating and prompt a consultation.
In this sense, the Mayo Clinic released information prepared by Ashley Pountney, a medical associate in Urology in Austin and Albert Lea, in which she explains in detail everything
that is important to know
.
Colors considered normal
The first thing we should keep in mind is that the
regular color of urine
changes, but it generally ranges from light to pale yellow. “The exact tone depends on the amount of water you drink. The liquids dilute the yellow pigments in the urine. So the more you drink, the clearer your urine will be. The less you drink, the more yellow your urine will be,” he introduces.
We must also consider that some
foods and medications
can change the color of urine. For example, foods like beets, blackberries, and lima beans can cause your urine to turn red or pink. Some medications can also give your urine bright colors, such as orange or blue-green.
Urinary tract infections and kidney stones can cause urine to look cloudy or opaque. Photo Shutterstock.
However, an unusual color of urine can also be a sign of a
health problem,
which may be more or less serious. For example, some urinary tract infections can cause milk-white urine. Kidney stones, some cancers, and other diseases sometimes cause urine to appear red because of blood.
Below are
some
unusual urine colors, along with possible reasons for them.
Red or pink urine
Although it can cause alarm, the professional explains that red urine is
not always
a sign of a serious health problem. Red or pink urine can be caused by the following:
Blood
: Health problems that can cause blood in the urine include an enlarged prostate, non-cancerous tumors, and kidney stones and cysts. Vigorous exercise can also cause blood in the urine. Blood in the urine is common in urinary tract infections and kidney stones. These health problems sometimes cause pain. Painless bleeding could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as cancer.
Beets, among the foods that can change the color of urine. Photo Shutterstock.
Foods
: Beets, blackberries, and rhubarb can cause urine to turn red or pink.
Medications
: Your urine may be red or pink if you take medications for tuberculosis, urinary tract pain, or constipation.
orange urine
Orange urine can be caused by the following:
Medications
: Constipation drugs, as well as medications that decrease bloating and irritation, and some cancer chemotherapy medications can cause urine to turn orange.
Vitamins
: Some, such as A and B-12, can make urine orange or yellow-orange in color.
Health problems
: Orange urine can be a sign of a problem in the liver or bile duct, especially if the stool is also light in color. Dehydration can also cause urine to appear orange.
Blue or green urine
Blue or green urine can be caused by the following:
Dyes
: Some brightly colored food dyes can cause green urine. The dyes used for some kidney and bladder tests can cause urine to turn blue.
Medications
: Some for depression, ulcers, and acid reflux can turn urine blue-green. Drugs for pain, arthritis and sleep too.
An unusual urine color can also be a sign of a health problem. Photo Shutterstock.
Health problems
: A rare disease called benign familial hypercalcemia can cause children to have blue urine. Urinary tract infections caused by certain bacteria can cause green urine.
Dark brown or brownish urine
Brown urine can be caused by the following:
Foods
: Eating a lot of fava beans, rhubarb, or aloe vera can cause dark brown urine.
Medications
: Those used to treat and prevent malaria, constipation, high cholesterol, and seizures. Some antibiotics and muscle relaxants can also darken your urine.
Health problems
: Liver and kidney disorders and urinary tract infections can cause urine to turn dark brown. This can also happen due to bleeding inside the body. In turn, a group of diseases that mainly affect the skin or nervous system, called porphyria, can also cause brown urine.
Extreme exercise
: A muscle injury from extreme training can cause brownish or tea-colored urine. Such injury can lead to kidney damage.
Cloudy or opaque urine
Urinary tract infections
and
kidney stones can cause urine to look cloudy or opaque.
“Please note that colors may look slightly different depending on the person. For example, what looks red to you may look orange to someone else. Talk to your healthcare team if you have concerns and, in particular, if you experience painful urination or dark orange urine, which could indicate that the liver is not working properly,” he closes.
***
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