It might sound strange, but every time you go to the toilet you have a chance to check up on your health. By checking the color of your urine, you can see whether your body is doing well or if you need to see a doctor. Sounds easy, right? Now you just need to know the possible reasons (serious or not) behind each color.
Here is what the color of your urine reveals about your health and suggestions for what you can do. Have you ever seen your urine appear to be one of these colors?
Orange
Some anti-inflammatory drugs (Azulfidine), chemotherapy drugs, and laxatives with senna can cause an orange color. Overconsumption of vitamin B2 or beta-carotene (carrots) could also be a reason. If you were not exposed to any of the above, then:
Drink more water. Dehydration can cause urine to be highly concentrated and vary from dark yellow to orange. In just a couple of hours, it should return to its normal clear yellow color.
Check your eyes. If you notice any yellowish tint in the whites of your eyes, then orange urine can be a sign that your liver is not functioning properly. You should make an appointment with a doctor immediately.
Pink and reddish
It’s probably alarming to see reddish or pink urine, but it is not necessarily serious as it could be caused by food or medications. Before worrying, see the reasons behind this color.
Foods: If you ate beetroot, blackberries, or rhubarb, then you have nothing to worry about. Some of the compounds that make these foods red are excreted in your urine after the kidneys do their job. Normally, it clears up by the next day. If it doesn’t, you should make an appointment with a doctor.
Medications: Certain antibiotics (like Rifadin and Rimactane) used to treat tuberculosis can turn urine reddish. Phenazopyridine, which is used to treat urinary tract infections, and laxatives containing senna can also be reasons for a pinkish color.
Blood: Blood in your urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, cancerous or noncancerous tumors, or bladder or kidney stones. If you see any blood clots or other tissues in your urine, see your doctor immediately. Specialists stress that this is rare but underdiagnosed, especially in women as they usually shrug it off as a weird period fluke.
Green or blue
It might be shocking to see this color, but it’s rare and could be caused by:
Foods: Eating artificially dyed foods or asparagus. Nothing to worry about. It will clear up in a day or 2.
Medications: Some medications (like Amitriptyline, Indomethacin, and Propofol) can cause the change of color.
Attention: If you haven’t been exposed to any of the above, then you should contact your doctor. A green color can signal a rare urinary tract infection caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas. The bug can also cause kidney stones.
Brown
If you see brown shades in your urine, it could be a sign of dehydration. Among the foods that can turn your urine brown are rhubarb and fava beans. But it’s better to get it checked out, especially if you drink lots of water but the color doesn’t go away. Brown urine could indicate problems with your liver and kidneys.
Attention: If your brown urine is followed by abdominal pain, rashes, and seizures, there is a high possibility of a genetic condition. Also, blood appears brownish when it disintegrates, and this can be a sign of a more serious condition like a tumor.
Foaming or fizzing
Having foamy urine from time to time is normal and is usually due to the speed of urination. But if it keeps coming back and is more noticeable over time, you should see your doctor.
Foamy or fizzing urine can be a sign of protein in your urine, and this needs professional evaluation as an increased amount can signal a serious kidney problem.
Transparent
If your urine is completely transparent, it is a sign that you are drinking too much water. This can cause certain risks, the most important of which is diluting the salts in your body. This can create a problematic chemical imbalance in your body. You should consider drinking less water.
Pale straw yellow, transparent yellow, dark yellow
These colors mean you have nothing to worry about. Ideally, your urine should be a pale gold color. A pale yellow shows a good balance between being under and over hydrated. More concentrated urine is a sign that you need more water. Just keep in mind one golden rule: if it looks like lemonade — good for you!
