urine color
The color of urine normally ranges from pale yellow to amber The color of urine is determined by its pigment urochrome and dilution of urine
Pigments and other substances in some foods and medicines can change the color of urine. Beets, berries and beans often change the color of urine Many medications give urine a vivid color, such as crimson, yellow, or greenish-blue.
An unusual color of urine can be a sign of disease For example, dark red or brown urine is a sign of porphyria, a congenital pathology of erythrocytes.
Urine discoloration is often caused by medications, foods, and food dyes In some cases, the change in urine color is caused by a health problem
Red or pink urine Red urine does not always indicate a serious problem Causes of red or pink urine are:
- Blood Causes of blood in the urine (hematuria) include urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, tumors, kidney cysts, long-distance running, and kidney or bladder stones.
- Food Beets, berries, and legumes cause red and pink urine
- Medications Ripampin, an anti-tuberculosis antibiotic, makes urine reddish-orange. Phenazopyridine and some laxatives also cause this discoloration
Orange Urine Orange Urine Causes:
- Medical Conditions In some cases, orange urine is associated with liver damage In other cases, it can be caused by dehydration, which causes the urine to concentrate
Green or blue urine Green or blue urine is caused by:
- dyes Some food dyes cause green urine Some dyes used in kidney and bladder tests also turn urine blue
- Medications Many medications cause blue or green urine, including amitriptyline, intomethacin, and propofol.
- Medical conditions Benign familial hypercalcemia is a rare congenital disorder in which the urine has a blue color. Green urine occurs in urinary tract infections caused by Pseudomonas bacteria
Dark brown or Coca-Cola colored urine Brown urine causes:
- Food Eating large amounts of legumes and aloe causes dark brown urine
- Medications Many medications darken urine, including the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine, the antibiotics metronidazole and nitrofuranthion, some laxatives, and the muscle relaxant methocarbamol.
- Medical conditions Some liver and kidney pathologies and urinary tract infections can cause dark brown urine
- exercise Muscle damage from overtraining causes pink or Coca-Cola colored urine and kidney damage
Curdy or foamy urine Some urinary tract infections and kidney stones cause urine to look cloudy or foamy.
The color of urine is normally variable and depends on water intake Fluids dilute the yellow pigments in urine, so the more water you drink, the harder your urine will be. When drinking less water, the urine becomes more concentrated In severe dehydration, urine may be amber in color
Sometimes the color of urine can change to red, blue, green, dark brown and white
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if:
- You have blood in your urine Bloody urine is common with kidney stones and urinary tract infections Both of these problems cause pain Painless bleeding can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as cancer
- Dark or orange urine Dark or orange-colored urine, especially if accompanied by colorless stools and yellowing of the eyes and skin, may indicate liver dysfunction.
