Seven things your urine can tell you about your health

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Oddly enough, your morning routine gives you a chance to check your health. No, we’re not talking about weighing yourself and checking your face for breakouts, we’re talking about taking a walk in the small one. Yes, that’s right, by looking at the color of your urine, you can see if everything is fine with your body or if you need to see a doctor. We’ve gathered data on some of the things your urine can tell you about your health. Or more precisely, we’ll tell you about the colors you can see and what each of them says about your health. And we’ll also give you a few options for what to do about each problem.

#7. Orange.

If you notice that the color of your urine has suddenly changed to orange, don't worry. As it turns out, such a color change can be caused by some anti-inflammatory drugs or laxatives. Or the reason could be even simpler, maybe you're eating too many carrots. This is no joke and the beta-carotene found in carrots can turn your urine orange. If you're sure that none of the above applies to you, try drinking more water. You may be dehydrated, so your urine is very concentrated, in which case the color can range from dark yellow to orange.

If you drink more, after a couple of hours the color should return to normal. While we strongly recommend drinking more water, also get your eyes checked. If you notice a yellowish tint, together with orange urine, this may be a sign of improper liver function. You won't be able to handle this on your own, so make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

#6. Pink and reddish.

Pink or red urine usually makes most people panic, but it's actually nothing to be afraid of. The color can be caused by certain foods and medications. If you've recently eaten beets, blackberries, or rhubarb, then you probably have nothing to worry about. Some of the components in these foods that give them their red color are excreted in the urine after the kidneys have done their job. If it's a case of such foods, the urine should return to its normal color by the next day. If it doesn't, see a doctor.

Another reason may be that certain antibiotics, such as rifadin and rimactan, which is used to treat tuberculosis, can stain urine reddish. If you are taking something to treat a urinary tract infection, such as phenazopyridine, your urine may be pink. Remember, you should never take serious medications, including antibiotics, without a prescription and your doctor should warn you about the side effects. If he hasn't, be sure to ask.

Another reason why urine may turn pink or reddish is something that most people fear. It contains blood. Blood in the urine is a sign of urinary tract infection, kidney disease, cancerous or benign tumors, bladder or kidney stones. If you notice blood clots or other tissues in your urine, do not delay and consult a doctor. Doctors say that such symptoms are often ignored, especially among women, who usually dismiss them as strange periods.

#5. Green or blue.

Seeing such colors in urine is probably the biggest shock, because they look unnatural, well, maybe not for the Smurfs and the Grinch. But, seriously, it will scare a person very much. Again, eating certain foods, such as artificially colored food or asparagus, can color the urine to such an extent that it turns blue or green. If this is the reason, there is nothing to worry about, it will clear up in a day or two. In addition, drugs such as amitriptyline, indomethacin can also cause similar colors.

However, if none of these reasons seem likely to you, it's a good idea to call your doctor right away, or better yet, call 911. Green urine can be a sign of a rare urinary tract infection caused by bacteria. They can also cause kidney stones, which, as you can imagine, are not very pleasant to pass through the urethra.

#4. Brown.

Wait, are we still talking about low urine? Oh yeah, sorry! If you notice brownish hues in your urine, it could be a sign of serious dehydration, so put down the caffeinated drinks and drink more water. Also, try to remember if you have eaten rhubarb recently. If you have eliminated these foods and are sure that you are drinking plenty of water, but the color does not disappear, consult a doctor. Brown urine indicates problems with the liver and kidneys.

Attention, if brown urine is accompanied by abdominal pain, rash and cramps, there is a high probability that you have a genetic disease. In addition, blood turns slightly brown when it breaks down and this can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a tumor. As you can see, no matter what, the best course of action is to consult a specialist. Don’t waste time hoping that everything will go away.

#3. Foam or bubbles.

Sometimes, foamy urine is normal. It’s usually caused by urinating too quickly, like when you’ve been waiting for an eternity on a long drive to stop. But if it keeps happening and you notice more and more foam over time, call your doctor.

Foamy or bubbly urine can also be a sign of excess protein, which requires professional evaluation, as you may have serious kidney problems. We’re not trying to scare you, we just want you to be alive and well.

#2. Clear.

Clear urine is a sign that you are drinking too much water. Yes, excess is just as harmful as deficiency (it's like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, everything has to be just right), so excess water can lead to certain problems. The most important of which is the dilution of salts in the body. This can create a problematic chemical imbalance.

So, it is better to drink less water for a while to see if this is the reason for the clear urine.

#1. Pale, straw yellow.

And finally, those colors that you are hopefully used to seeing and should not worry about. Ideally, urine should be straw-colored. If you are lucky enough to have urine of the perfect color, it means that you are not over- or under-hydrated. You are drinking as much water as you need. Well done! If your urine is more concentrated and doesn't look pale gold, you need to drink a little more water. Remember the golden rule, no joke, if your urine looks like lemonade, you're fine.