“Don’t flush just yet!”
Did you know? We go to the bathroom multiple times a day, but few people ever stop to think about the true significance of urine. That seemingly insignificant liquid holds a wealth of information—your health status, dietary habits, and even lifestyle choices are hidden in this ‘golden fluid’!”
Urine is a crucial product of the body’s excretory system, formed when the kidneys filter the blood. Its main components include water, electrolytes, urea, uric acid, and other metabolic waste products. Beyond its role in waste elimination, urine is also an important indicator of overall health. The color, odor, composition, and frequency of urination can reflect physiological conditions and even aid in diagnosing diseases.
The color of urine can provide valuable insights into a person’s health.
Normal urine is typically clear to pale yellow, while abnormal colors may indicate underlying health issues or dietary influences.
Below are the possible causes of different urine colors:
The normal color of urine ranges from pale yellow to amber, determined by the concentration of urobilin.
Darker urine may be caused by dehydration, which leads to urine becoming more concentrated.
Lighter urine may result from excessive water intake, causing urine to become diluted.
Clear urine could indicate overhydration or the use of diuretics, such as alcohol and coffee.
These variations are considered normal urine colors.
Red or pink urine normally due to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, cystitis (bladder inflammation), or prostate issues.
Some of medications such as rifampin will cause red urine as well. If we eat too many beets, blackberries, or dragon fruit, it will have chance to get a red urine too.
Orange Urine or commonly due to dehydration.
Besides, some liver and gallbladder diseases such as hepatitis, bile duct obstruction also will cause orange urine, and it is due to abnormal bilirubin metabolism. Vitamin B2 supplements and certain medications, such as nitrofurantoin will cause orange urine as well.
Green Urine, blue urine and purple urine are rare. They are mainly cause by medication such as amitriptyline and indomethacin will cause green urine, methylene blue and indocyanine green will cause blue urine.
Beside that, some of the infection like Pseudomonas aeruginosa will cause green urine and Hypercalcemia will cause blue urine. Purple Urine are mainly due to purple urine bag syndrome which a rare condition found in catheterized patients, and it caused by bacterial infections.
Dark Brown or Cola-Colored Urine are common in liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, which leading to elevated bilirubin levels. Besides, it common in Rhabdomyolysis which caused by muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin into the urine. Certain medications, including levodopa and metronidazole will have Dark Brown or Cola-Colored Urine as well.
Black Urine are observed in two conditions which is Alkaptonuria, a rare metabolic disorder and malignant melanoma, where excess melanin enters the urine.
When Should You Get a Urine or Kidney Test?
You should seek medical evaluation if you experience persistent abnormal urine color without recent dietary or medication changes and your urine discoloration is accompanied by pain, frequent urination, urgency, foamy urine, or foul odour.
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