Urine Colour: What is normal and when to consult a Doctor?

The colour, odor and consistency of urine portrays greatly on one's health conditions.

Urine Colour: What is normal and when would one need to consult a Doctor?

The colour, odor and consistency of your urine portrays greatly on one's health condition. As per Doctors, these are generally of not much concern - These changes may be caused by one's lifestyle, diet, or ongoing medications. However, these may also be attributed to conditions like urinary tract infections, liver failure, and kidney stones.

Specialists say the standard colour of one's urine is urochrome which is a light straw colour that happens when one is perfectly hydrated. However, symptoms like dehydration could make it deep amber or ight brown.

Many-a-times, urine colour may indicate severe health conditions that one must address immediately.

Urine Colour

According to Doctors, the colour of one's urine varies depending on what one eats, the medications taken, and how much water one drinks in a day.

Clear urine

As per Doctors, a clear urine indicates that one regularly hydrate oneself with the daily required amounts of water.

While drinking water is a good habit, experts say too much of water can rob one's body of vital electrolytes and Salts. Urine that occasionally looks clear is no reason to panic.

However urine that always looks clear could indicate that one would need to reduce the quantity on how much water you are drinking daily.

Studies suggest that clear urine may indicate liver issues like cirrhosis and viral hepatitis.

Red urine

Doctors say that one's urine may temporarily look red or pink if One frequently consumes fruits or vegetables of these colours, like beetroot or blueberries.

However, one may also be suffering from certain health conditions that can make blood being passed in one's urine - like hematuria, enlarged prostate, kidney stones and even tumours.

Orange urine

If you notice your urine looks orangish in colour, experts believe it is time to be alert as it could be a symptom of dehydration.

According to studies, it happens when bile gets into One's bloodstream because of issues with one's bile ducts or liver. Adult-onset jaundice may also cause the Urine to pass in orange colour.

Dark brown urine

Dark brown coloured urine mostly suggests severe de-hydration. Apart from that, doctors believe the change in the colour of one's urine can be due to rhabdomyolysis - a breakdown of muscle tissue that is a serious medical condition.

Dark brown urine may indicate Liver disease, as it can be caused by bile getting into one's urine.

Cloudy urine

Cloudy urine is most likely the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI), or, due to chronic kidney issue.

Also, experts say cloudy urine in pregnancy could be a sign of a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia.

Urine may appear to be foamy or bubbly which is also known as 'Pneumaturia' is a symptom of serious health conditions, including ailments like Crohn's disease or Diverticulitis.

Other possible reasons

According to Doctors, foul-smelling urine may be due to Bacterial infection.

Sweet smelling urine may be a sign of advanced or uncontrolled Diabetes, or, a rare Metabolism condition..

Liver disease and certain metabolic conditions cause cause musty smelling urine.

How is a Diagnosis of urine colour change performed?

According to Doctors, one must consult with one's family doctor, in case there are any changes in the colour, odor, or appearance of one's urine that lasts more than a few days (Please consult Doctors in DocSmart app)

One may need to undergo a urinalysis to see if the urine shows anything abnormal. A sample of one's urine is normally sent to a Diagnostic Centres where tests are done to check if there is any Blood, Protein or Bacteria in the urine sample provided.