What Are The Causes of Urine Color Change
The color of urine can have many causes, from harmless to severe.
In general, the more concentrated the urine, the darker it gets. This is because as water is being lost and waste products and extra chemicals (such as urea and salts) accumulate in the blood and finally end up in the kidney and bladder through the kidneys.
One way or another, this process produces a much darker yellow that we usually see in fluorescence when we hold a urine sample against a white surface under a blacklight bulb used as part of home drug tests such as those sold as “Test Clean.”
urine color chart infection:
Once you have determined that you are suffering from UTI, the next step is to decide whether or not it’s Cystitis or a kidney infection. There are many causes for each type of infection, but most are treated the same way, so it does not matter which kind of UTI you have contracted for your medication. The only difference may be in how long your course of antibiotics lasts.
-The main symptom of Cystitis is frequent urination. You might feel the urge to go even when there is very little urine in your bladder or find that you need to go more often than usual – including waking up several times during the night. Other signs include cloudy urine, strong-smelling urine, and pain when urinating (which may be intense) – see the separate leaflet called Cystitis for more details.
-Kidney infections are much less common but need prompt treatment with antibiotics because they can lead to severe problems if not treated quickly enough. See your doctor urgently if you think you have a kidney infection.
The main symptoms of a kidney infection are precisely the same as Cystitis (frequent urination, cloudy urine, and strong-smelling urine). However, there will often also be back pain and the usual symptoms around your tummy or groin. You may find it difficult or painful to pass urine, too – see the separate leaflet called Renal Infection (Pyelonephritis) for more details.
foods that change urine color:
Transient inflammation of the bladder (Cystitis, see below) can result in blood in your urine. This is called haematuria. Cloudy urine may be due to pus or mucus in your urine, which will make it look gray and white like milk. It may also contain bacteria and white blood cells – see the separate leaflet called Cystitis for more details.
Urine usually contains some chemicals that give it its typical smell. These chemicals may change if you have an infection, and your urine will smell more unpleasant than usual. This is not always easy to detect, but if someone else notices the smell of stale urine on you, then this suggests that your urine has a strong-smelling chemical in it.
Healthy urine color:
Urine is usually a slightly yellow color. The yellow color comes from a pigment called urochrome, which is made in the liver and then passes into the kidneys and out in the urine.
The amount of yellow pigment (urochrome) that your body makes depends on how well hydrated you are. If you drink more water, your urine will be light yellow because there is more urochrome. If you have been without fluids for a long time, such as being stuck in traffic during a hot sunny day, or if you have drunk hardly any liquid for 24 hours or longer, then your urine will be much darker yellow – see the separate leaflet called Dehydration for more details.
Medical that changes urine color:-There are many medical conditions that can affect urine color. This includes jaundice, which is a sign of liver disease. Suppose you have recently eaten large amounts of leafy green vegetables or vitamin supplements. In that case, this may affect the color of your urine, too – see the separate leaflet called Green Urine.
Foods that change urine color:-Asparagus: Asparagus can add a distinct, pungent smell to your urine. It may also turn your urine slightly green or even purple. This is normal and not something to worry about. The effect of asparagus on urine odor and color is harmless and temporary.
Parsley: If you eat a large amount of parsley, it may temporarily change the color of your urine to an orange or almost neon yellow.
Rhubarb: Rhubarb root contains high levels of oxalic acid, which can make your pee look dark brown or tea-colored, but this should only last a day or two.
Tea: Tea contains tannins, which will make your urine darker and can give it a bitter taste. This may also mask underlying medical causes of dark-colored urine like liver or kidney problems, so if it persists, you should see your doctor.
Wheatgrass: Whole wheat contains many vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, fatty acids, and amino acids that are beneficial to your health. Wheatgrass is simply the sprouted grain before it forms a new plant. If you’ve ever seen wheatgrass juice in the grocery store, then you know that drinking too much of it can turn your stool green.
Medical Conditions/Treatments:
If you have certain types of urinary tract infections (UTIs) with high levels of white blood cells in your urine, it can make your pee cloudy and white like milk.
This is because the white blood cells in your urinary tract fight against the bacteria causing a UTI. If you have a high level of pus in your urine from a kidney stone, bladder infection, or certain types of diabetes, then your urine may be cloudy or have a strong foul smell to it too.
what are the causes of red urine:
If your pee is red or dark brown, it may be due to:
blood in the urine (haematuria)
A medical condition called porphyria is a rare inherited disorder of certain enzymes in your body. This can cause brownish or reddish urine. You may also notice other symptoms like skin rash and problems with the nervous system, digestion, muscles, or vision.
kidney stones:
People often describe passing a kidney stone as one of the most painful experiences they’ve ever had! Kidney stones are tiny crystals that form inside your kidneys from minerals in your urine. They can vary significantly in size – some are as small as grains of sand while others are visible to the naked eye (about 5mm). Some people pass numerous tiny kidney stones, whereas others pass just one large stone (about 5mm).
Kidney stones vary in color, shape, and size. They can be pale yellow, brown, or black; round, oval, jagged, or smooth; thin like a grain of sand or thick like a pearl. The primary type that causes bothersome symptoms is calcium oxalate (the most common type), but several other types can cause problems too.
kidney stone:
Sometimes a kidney stone can be passed without you even noticing, but if it’s large enough, it may get stuck momentarily in your urinary tract and block the flow of urine out of your bladder.
You might feel a sharp pain as the stone becomes wedged inside. This is known as ‘acute’ or sudden-onset flank pain and means you should visit your doctor right away to stop the acute episode from becoming a chronic problem.