How to color urine yellow. What does white urine mean? Medications and urine color

Light yellow urine is an indicator of human health. The hue of this biological fluid can vary significantly during the day, in the morning the urine is more saturated in color, and in the afternoon it is lighter.

Urine acquires yellow color due to pigments, the main of which is urobilin, it is formed from its precursor bilirubin in the liver. Further, bilirubin with bile enters the intestine, under the influence of microflora, it breaks down to urobilin. In parallel with it, urobilinogen is formed. However, it stains the urine after it is released into the external environment.

The color of urine also depends on external factors: food, medication and vitamins, the amount of fluid you drink. Changes against the background of these factors should be treated calmly. However, if lemon-colored urine is released for a long time, then it is worth considering what kind of pathology such a color can be a sign of. The article will explain why urine is bright yellow in women and what is the reason for this phenomenon.

Causes

Yellow urine can be due to various reasons. The most common of them are:

• dehydration of the body against the background of the disease;
• low fluid intake;
• climate change;
• somatic diseases (pathology of the heart, kidneys, liver, gallbladder);
• lactation;
• pregnancy;
• taking vitamins and medicines;
• pregnancy;
• hereditary factor;
• diseases of the urinary system;
• consumption of antibiotics, vitamins A, C and group B;
• diseases that cause increased breakdown of red blood cells.

Almost all food products of artificial production at the moment have dyes in their composition. It can be carbonated drinks, sweets, marmalade. They are able to largely make the shade of urine rich yellow.

Many plant foods have the same property, they contain natural dyes. Oranges, tangerines, carrots, pumpkin, parsley have such abilities.

Some drugs (groups of five nitrofurans) in the process of application change the shade of the urinary fluid to a more intense one. The same effect is exerted by preparations containing pigmenting substances. The effect of vitamins on changes in the color of urine will be written below.

Dehydration is one of the causes of discoloration of urine.

Saturated color of urine occurs at a very high concentration, this happens with large losses of water. For example, if a woman has changed climatic conditions to very hot. As a result, due to intense sweating in the absence of an adequate drinking regimen, changes in the color of urine occur. By the same principle, urine becomes more yellow during physical exertion, when urine becomes too concentrated due to the release of sweat.

Diseases of the genitourinary system, for example, cystitis, which in women, due to their physiology (the urethra is short and wide, unlike the male urethra), is very common. In addition to bright yellow urine, a characteristic feature of this ailment will be burning, frequent urge to urinate, pain in the lower abdomen, fever, weakness.

Gastrointestinal infections are accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, fever, profuse sweating. All this leads to a change in the biological fluid towards a darker and more saturated color.

Pathology of the biliary system, in which urine stains in an intense yellow color, is especially common in middle-aged women who are prone to fullness.

Failure in the excretion of bile can be due to such diseases:

• infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D);
• hepatitis of non-infectious nature (autoimmune, alimentary hepatitis);
• infectious mononucleosis;
• leptospirosis;
• paracetamol poisoning;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• neoplasms in this organ.

Also an important role is played by inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis), pancreatitis, malignant neoplasms of the pancreas and bile ducts. The clinical picture of such ailments includes yellowing of the sclera, mucous membranes and skin.

Diseases that lead to increased breakdown of red blood cells are another reason for too yellow urine. Among them, the most common are hemolytic and sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Gilbert's disease. With Gilbert's syndrome, there is a violation of the utilization of bilirubin, it accumulates in the body, causing various disorders, including rich yellow urine.

The most common signs of this disease are yellowness of the sclera and skin.

With hemolytic anemia, jaundice is also a characteristic symptom, as well as weakness, fatigue, an increase in the size of the spleen and pain in the left hypochondrium.

Sclera of a patient with Gilbert's syndrome

Somatic diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, chronic heart failure, kidney disease lead to the fact that fluid is retained in the body, extensive edema is formed. Because of this, a small amount of urine is formed, it acquires an uncharacteristic saturated color.

Another initiating factor may be the use of laxatives for constipation. These drugs lead to diarrhea and dehydration. Therefore, they should also be kept in mind when bright yellow urine appears.

Heredity also plays a role in the fact that urinary fluid becomes lemon-colored. Some people have an increased tendency to form salts, salts give such a rich shade of urine. This should not be ignored, as this can lead to the development of urolithiasis in the future.

Pregnant women, as you know, undergo serious changes in the body, it must work for two, many processes have not been fully studied.

In a woman in position, all systems function in an enhanced mode, which is why changes during this period may be far from expected. Urine during pregnancy can change color from lemon yellow to brown.

But it is worth knowing that in the early stages, the color of urine should not fundamentally differ from what it was. A change in the color of the urinary fluid is not yet a reason for panic. Often this phenomenon is explained by vitamin complexes that are prescribed during pregnancy.

The most popular of them will be Elevit, Vitrum Prenatal Forte. They contain groups of vitamins A and C. It is they who are able to give urine a too bright shade.

Also, do not forget about antibacterial drugs, because they also have this property. Another reason may be the pregnant woman's consumption of certain foods (carrots, pumpkin, citrus fruits). Very often this is a reaction to the food consumed, vitamin complexes, which are often prescribed to women in position. If after a few days the color of the urinary fluid does not normalize, then you should consult a doctor. After all, you can miss a serious pathology.

Pregnant women need to be especially attentive to their well-being so as not to miss the early signs of preeclampsia (nausea, vomiting, emotional lability)

Very often, the presence of bright yellow urine indicates toxicosis, because with this pathology, dehydration of the body occurs due to vomiting. And if it is difficult to deal with toxicosis, then replenishing the lost fluid is a very real mission.

Meanwhile, too light shade of urine is not the norm. This phenomenon indicates a weak concentration of this liquid. And this can be a sign of diabetes, namely its gestational type. It is accompanied by constant thirst, dryness in the mouth, a huge amount of excreted urinary fluid.

Lactation

Another condition in which very yellow urine can be observed is breastfeeding. In this case, there is a large expenditure for the purpose of milk production.

In its normal state, a person loses from one to two liters of fluid per day, and when feeding, this figure becomes much larger. And if a woman does not replenish the required volume, then the urinary fluid becomes very concentrated, little urine is released.

That is why it is so important to observe the correct drinking regime during breastfeeding. It is best to use water, green and herbal tea as a drink in such a situation.

During lactation, a woman should avoid foods that can color urine, as they are mostly allergens.

What to do?

If a situation arises in which urine becomes very yellow, then first of all it is worth analyzing your lifestyle. It is necessary to remember what foods have been consumed recently, is there a intake of vitamins and medicines, how much fluid is consumed per day?

If possible, you need to stop the use of drugs, vitamin complexes. Establish a drinking regime, remember that the body requires at least two liters of water per day. It is advisable to use plain purified water, herbal teas. If a few days after the measures taken, urine has not acquired a normal color, it is worth visiting a doctor. You can address such a problem both to the local therapist, and directly to the urologist.

Before the visit, try to remember the composition of your menu, the presence of physical activity, medication, the frequency of vomiting and diarrhea, if any. This will greatly facilitate the diagnosis.

The doctor, after a detailed survey in order to clarify the diagnosis, will prescribe a urine test, as well as, if necessary, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. Treatment will be prescribed in accordance with the diagnosis.

Each person is obliged to closely monitor their sexual health, preventing the development of infectious diseases. Another preventive measure is the timely emptying of the bladder, do not endure the urge, because this can lead to undesirable consequences.

About prevention

It is important to properly and regularly conduct hygiene of the genital organs. A woman should know that you need to wash from front to back, and not vice versa. Thus, it minimizes infection of the vagina with Escherichia coli.

Timely visits to the gynecologist and preventive examinations will also help prevent the occurrence of pathology.

But perhaps the most important thing is to follow the right lifestyle. Be selective about the food you eat, refuse products with dyes, give preference to natural food. Avoid alcohol and nicotine. These simple rules will help you stay healthy for a long time.

Adequate fluid intake prevents dehydration

Conclusion

Any deviations in the functioning of the body require close attention. Urine is an important fluid whose composition, color and quantity can tell a lot about a person's health. That is why be careful not to ignore changes in urine color. Such vigilance will not allow the development of disease. Be healthy.

In scientific terminology, urine is called urine - it is a multicomponent biological fluid produced by the kidneys, which is subsequently transported through the ureters to the urea, and then excreted from the body through the urethra. The chemical composition of urine in the normal state of the body is almost constant, it is a kind of "indicator of the level of health", when its color changes, we can talk about the development of numerous pathologies.

Why is urine dark yellow, and what diseases and changes in the body affect its color? This will be discussed in our editorial.

Urination (in medicine - miction) is an integral process of the body's vital activity. Together with urine, the body gets rid of toxic and unnecessary elements of metabolism, including toxins.

Under normal conditions, urine is light yellow in color, however, during the day it can change its color. This phenomenon is facilitated by the presence of any pathology, as well as foods consumed during the day.

Urine is a fluid produced by the kidneys that contains numerous unnecessary and toxic elements. That is, it can be argued that urine is a waste material of the body's vital activity.

Attention. The light color of urine depends on the amount of liquid consumed per day. With a water-salt imbalance, urine becomes darker, its concentration increases.

Urine is one of the main informative diagnostic tools. By its color, smell, density, you can tell a lot about the patient's health status.

Laboratory analysis of urine is one of the first and main diagnostic measures. Even in ancient Greece, doctors used this method for determining diseases, and in the modern world, doctors can accurately determine the severity of the inflammatory process and the type of infection-causative agent.

The composition of urine contains the largest number of chemical components, due to which laboratory tests provide quite extensive information about the condition:

• kidneys;
• liver;
• gastrointestinal tract;
• pancreas;
• ureters and much more.

The kidneys are responsible for the formation of urine. They have a unique functional unit called the nephron, due to which the blood is filtered from harmful and toxic elements.

During the day, the kidneys form from 150 to 200 liters of primary urine, however, it subsequently undergoes a process of reabsorption, concentration and secretion, after which from 1 to 2 liters of urine that is familiar to us is excreted from the human body.

Normal indicators in the study of urine

When examining urine, its chemical and physical properties are taken into account. By changing the physical parameters of urine, it is already possible to make assumptions about the development of pathology.

Table number 1. Indicators of the norm of the general analysis of urine:

Urine coloration occurs due to the presence of the pigment urochrome. The color completely depends on the amount of liquid consumed per day. If there is an excess of fluid in the body, the urine will be completely transparent, slightly yellowish.

Normally, the waste liquid has a light yellow color. And with insufficient consumption of purified water, it will become dark yellow, this indicates the development of dehydration in the body.

Foods that turn urine dark

Certain foodstuffs can influence the change in the color of urine, therefore, the acquisition of a dark yellow hue should not always be correlated with the development of pathology.

The acquisition of a dark shade of urine is facilitated by products such as:

• blackberry;
• beet;
• fava beans;
• black currant;
• mulberry;
• rhubarb.

If a person includes carrots in his diet for a long time, the color of his urine will turn orange. In addition, some medications affect the color, for example, urine can become blue or green. The intake of vitamins concentrates the waste liquid, it becomes brighter.

Important. If the color of urine remains dark for a long time, despite the fact that foods that change its color were excluded from the diet, this is a reason to contact the clinic and take laboratory tests.

But, despite all these indicators, a change in the color of urine requires special attention, because often this is a sign of the presence of any pathology.

Influencing factors

In medicine, there are several factors that affect the staining of urine in a dark color.

Conventionally, they are divided into two groups:

1. Physiological.
2. Pathological.

Table number 2. Factors affecting the color of urine:

Group	Factors
Physiological	Age. In people older than 50 years, the color of the urine becomes darker.
	Insufficient daily fluid intake.
	High physical activity. Associated with increased sweating, this is also observed when a person is in conditions of high temperature conditions.
	Consumption of individual foods. These include products released in large quantities of pigment substances.
	Taking certain medications. Antibiotics, vitamins and preparations containing chrysophanoic acid contribute to an increase in the concentration of the waste fluid.
Pathological	Dehydration of the body. The development of a pathological condition occurs due to various health problems. This: vomit; diarrhea; fever; physical activity in a hot climate or near stoves.
	Pathology of the liver and organs of the biliary system.
	Diseases associated with failure in metabolic processes. For example, hemochromatosis, alkoptonuria.
	Destruction of red blood cells in the circulation.
	Diseases of the urinary system, in particular the kidneys.
	Copper intoxication.

The dark yellow color of urine, along with accompanying signs, means the development of a disease.

These signs include:

• or pus in the urine;
• rare urge to miction;
• precipitation in the urine.

Attention. Darkening of the color of the discharge may be a characteristic morning phenomenon. This is justified by an increase in the concentration of urine at night. Correct the situation allows sufficient consumption of purified water during the day.

Urine color and pathology

There is a certain pattern in the color of the excreted fluid and the diseases that develop with it.

Table number 3. Urine color and changes in the body:

Color	Changes
Dark yellow	stasis of urine; diseases of the biliary tract; pathology of the urinary system.
Brown	pyelonephritis; anemia; cirrhosis; hepatitis.
Bright yellow	liver disease; hepatitis.
Red	urolithiasis disease;
Orange	high body temperature.
White	violations of the outflow of lymph; concentration in urine of phosphates; infectious pathological processes occurring in the genitourinary system; kidney tuberculosis.
Violet	kidney failure; high content of metabolic products in the bloodstream; infectious pathologies of the urinary tract; porphyria disease.
Black	oncology of the urinary system; skin cancer; increased concentration of hemoglobin in the urine; hemogentisic acid deficiency.
Green	development of purulent processes; cholelithiasis; malignant neoplasms.

To determine the cause of urine darkening, it is necessary to carry out not only laboratory diagnostics of the waste fluid, but also to analyze the products consumed daily, and also pay attention to the patient's lifestyle. All factors together give a picture of the ongoing changes in the body.

Diseases of the biliary organs

The development of pathologies of the biliary system and liver lead to cloudy urine.

Diseases that are accompanied by a change in the color of the discharge include:

1. Hepatitis leading to cirrhosis.
2. Violation of the outflow of bile. Cholelithiasis.
3. Oncology of the liver.
4. Atresia of the biliary tract in newborns.
5. Sclerosis of the biliary organs.

With the development of such pathologies, the patient, in addition to the main symptom under consideration, will feel the following:

• discomfort in the right hypochondrium;
• vomiting and nausea;
• yellowing of the skin;
• itching in the intimate area;
• white cal.

The color of urine with such problems in the body changes due to the presence of bilirubin and biliverdin in it - these are liver pigments that, with pathological changes, enter the bloodstream and then into the urine. When urine is agitated, yellow foam appears, the waste liquid looks like beer.

Hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells in the circulation in medical practice is referred to as hemolysis.

The reasons for the development of pathology are:

• anemia of a hereditary nature;
• intoxication of the body;
• receiving burns;
• malaria;
• transfusion of blood different in group from one's own.

These changes are characterized by the release of free (unbound) hemoglobin by the kidneys.

Metabolic disruptions

Metabolic failures in frequent cases are hereditary. This is for example:

• alkoptonuria;
• hemochromatosis.

Table number 4. Metabolic diseases, manifested by the darkening of urine:

Disease	Cause	Symptoms
Alkoptonuria	It develops against the background of an imbalance of the amino acid tyrosine in the body, which occurs due to the weakening of the action of the enzyme homogentesic acid oxidase. Diagnosed in children at an early age.	darkening of urine is noted only after settling; older people show signs of kidney stone formation; there is pigmentation of the skin on the ears and in the areas of the fold of the limbs; disorders in the articular system.
Hemochromatosis	It is also hereditary. The disease is caused by a malfunction in the metabolic process of iron. Against the background of a pathological condition, iron is deposited in various organs. As a rule, it develops due to a mutation of a specific gene.	excessive concentration of iron in the blood (up to 70 grams at a rate of up to 4 grams); asthenia; underdevelopment of some individual organs, resulting from excessive growth of connective tissue; the skin acquires a gray tint, the same phenomenon is noted on the mucous membranes; due to damage to the liver, the urine becomes dark.

kidney disease

Often, pathological processes in the kidneys become the cause of cloudy urine.

The most common include:

• glomerulonephritis;
• pyelonephritis;
• tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Kidney diseases have a common clinical picture, manifested as:

• temperature increase;
• asthenia (nervous mental weakness);
• intoxication;
• drawing pains in the lower back;
• a strong unpleasant smell of urine;
• possible cutting pains during micturition;
• violation of the frequency and volume of urination.

In pyelonephritis and tubulointerstitial nephritis, the urine becomes dark yellow in color and has an opaque appearance. With glomerulonephritis, it acquires a dark red hue.

Urinalysis shows an increased content of erythrocytes, leukocytes and protein in it, the density of urine increases.

Copper intoxication

A person can be poisoned by copper, for example, by inhalation or by tactile contact, including when eating copper-poisoned foods.

Signs of intoxication are as follows:

• nausea accompanied by vomiting;
• pain and heaviness in the abdomen;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• dizziness and headaches;
• liver damage;
• hemolysis;
• kidney damage;
• dark urine.

If you suspect copper poisoning, you should immediately call an ambulance, because with the destructive action of the metal, rapid and irreversible changes occur in the body.

Obturation of the bile ducts with a calculus

Before the onset of an attack of biliary colic, the patient has dark urine, and the attack itself is severe.

Appear:

• sharp unbearable pain in the right hypochondrium;
• flatulence;
• temperature increase.

Biliary colic is a condition that requires emergency surgery.

Pregnancy

The darkening of the excreted fluid in women during the period of bearing a child also carries a pathological danger.

The dark shade of urine in the initial stages can characterize signs of toxicosis, because during this period there is a slight dehydration of the body. To cope with this phenomenon will allow a full drinking regimen. With severe toxicosis, it is indicated to visit an observing doctor who will prescribe certain medications that reduce vomiting.

Also, one of the reasons may be the intake of vitamins, which, as we noted above, contribute to a change in the color of the excreted fluid. The same applies to foodstuffs concentrated with pigment substances. In these situations, after the exclusion of provoking factors, the color of the urine will be restored.

Attention. If the dark color of urine in pregnant women disappears in a few days, then there is no cause for concern. But with a prolonged phenomenon, the expectant mother must pass a general urine test in order to establish the cause and begin appropriate therapeutic measures.

Dark yellow urine in a baby

Physical indicators of urine in infants can change for various reasons:

1. Decreased daily diuresis. It can occur when the baby's body temperature rises, as a result of which dehydration and intoxication develop.
2. Baby overheating. When a baby stays for a long time in rooms with high temperatures and poorly ventilated, or in the open sun, a rapid dehydration of a small organism occurs.
3. Jaundice. In medical practice, there are 3 types of jaundice: mechanical, hepatic and hemolytic. In the first case, there is a blockage of the bile ducts with a calculus. The second case, as a rule, is hereditary, in which there is a violation of the outflow of bile. The third case is the active destruction of red blood cells against the background of the penetration of toxic substances into the body.

In frequent cases, jaundice in newborns disappears after 3-4 days, however, if this does not happen, then the disease continues to progress. Late treatment can lead to the most unpredictable consequences, and death is not ruled out.

When should you sound the alarm?

So, if urine changes color due to natural factors, then you should not worry, however, if the phenomenon does not disappear for a long time, you need to contact specialists.

Anxiety for your health should arise if the following symptoms join:

• asthenia;
• headache;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• fever;
• violation of the frequency of micturition;
• pain in the right hypochondrium;
• change in the volume of allocations;
• pain in the lumbar or lower abdomen;
• pigmentation of areas of the skin;
• skin itching.

In addition to the above warning signs, a dangerous symptom is the presence of blood or pus in the urine. Sometimes discharge from the urethra is possible, while the secreted liquid has a rather sharp and unpleasant odor.

Important. Only a doctor can determine the cause of the appearance of characteristic symptoms by examining the patient's history and familiarizing himself with the results of laboratory diagnostics.

Treatment

The treatment of pathological changes in the body associated with the darkening of the waste fluid depends entirely on the cause that provoked them.

If the cause of dark urine is dehydration, in this case, normalizing the water-salt balance in the body will help get rid of the problem. But do not forget that in some situations the body can be so dehydrated and weakened that it is possible to restore its normal functioning only in a hospital.

To do this, doctors prescribe a drip of solutions that balance metabolic processes and the water-salt mechanism. In situations where the cause of the appearance of a dark shade of urine is not dehydration or natural factors, then a set of diagnostic measures is prescribed.

This:

1. ultrasound.
2. MRI.
3. X-ray with contrast.
4. General analysis of blood and urine.
5. Urine culture.
6. Urethral smear.

Important. Before undergoing this or that diagnostic method, the patient undergoes a training course. Information about this is obtained from the doctor who will conduct the examination.

The beginning of treatment always occurs with the adjustment of the patient's diet.

Whatever the cause of pathological changes, the following products are excluded in the first place:

• fried foods;
• spicy and salty foods;
• smoked meats;
• carbonated drinks;
• fast foods.

Having established the cause of the disease, the doctor develops a certain course of drug therapy. As additional methods of treatment, many use traditional medicine recipes. But it is important to remember that any method of self-treatment must be negotiated with an observing specialist.

In the video presented in this article, experts will talk about the possible causes of dark urine.

Assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) used in the clinic to assess the degree of impaired renal function and monitor the course of kidney disease. However, GFR does not provide any information about the causes of kidney disease. This is achieved by urinalysis.

A general urinalysis begins with a visual assessment of the physical properties of the urine and, above all, the color of the urine.

Color is a vital indicator of many body conditions. In medicine, any manifestation of abnormality is often reflected by a change in color. For example, with jaundice, yellowness of proteins appears. Urine, as one of the biological fluids of the body, is no exception to this rule. A change in the color of urine can be the most important indicator of the earliest stage of the disease.

The color of normal urine is light yellow. It depends on the presence in the urine of one of the final metabolites of erythrocyte hemoglobin, the pigment urochrome. However, in kidney diseases with impaired filtration and selective reabsorption, the pale color of urine changes. In case of violation of filtration in the glomeruli of the kidneys, some elements, for example, erythrocytes, leukocytes, proteins, dyes, etc. get into the urine, if reabsorption is disturbed, they do not return to the blood. Thus, components appear in the urine that are absent in normal urine. They then change, the color of urine often accurately reflects the level of kidney damage. Therefore, the color of urine is used in the approximate diagnosis.

Deciphering the color of urine and possible diseases or conditions

Color decoding
"light urine »

• As a rule, light urine reflects sufficient water intake and is a sign of health. However, light urine is found in diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. In addition, light urine is observed during pregnancy.
• White or colorless urine: If your urine is colorless, it means that you are drinking too much liquid. Drinking too much fluid can cause your blood sodium levels to become critically low. Symptoms include confusion, headaches, nausea, and bloating. In severe cases, this can lead to seizures, organ failure, and even death.

Color decoding
"bright yellow or neon yellow urine"

This urine color is due to the use of vitamin supplements, especially those containing water-soluble riboflavin or vitamin B2, which are naturally yellow. Excess riboflavin turns urine bright yellow. If vitamin intake exceeds the upper safe level, then there is a potential risk of hypervitaminosis.

Color decoding

"dark yellow or golden urine"

Too dark color is either very concentrated urine or heavy dehydration. Dark-yellow or golden-colored urine may be an indication that you are taking laxatives or supplements that contain B-complex vitamins.

Deciphering "dark yellow urine"

This urine color may reflect the following conditions:

• Dehydration

Dark yellow urine is often a sign that the patient is dehydrated or not drinking enough water. One of the causes of dehydration: due to intense sweating without replenishing lost water. Other important factors that lead to dehydration are excessive vomiting and diarrhea. Due to dehydration, the concentration of nitrogenous wastes in the urine increases, the urine becomes concentrated, and the color of the urine changes from colorless to dark yellow. A high concentration of nitrogen-containing wastes in the urine, along with a change in color, gives the urine a specific odor.

• Medications and nutritional supplements

Taking B vitamins and supplements gives urine a dark or bright yellow color. All B vitamins are water-soluble, if they are taken in doses exceeding the needs of the body, then their excess is excreted in the urine. Drugs such as quinine and quinine derivatives, rifampicin, warfarin, nitrofurantoin, and sulfamethoxazole can make urine dark yellow or orange, and urine from recent use of laxatives may be dark in color.

• Eating certain foods

Another common cause of a temporary change in urine color is the consumption of certain foods. For example, when eating asparagus, urine may be dark yellow or greenish in color. Excessive consumption of foods rich in B vitamins, carotene and vitamin C also changes the color of urine from bright to dark yellow. On the other hand, consuming large amounts of beets will turn the urine reddish-purple, and eating blackberries and rhubarb will give the urine a red tint.

• Diseases and disorders

Persistent yellow coloration of urine can be caused by jaundice. Along with urine, with jaundice, the skin and sclera of the eyes are colored yellow. The discoloration in jaundice is caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the blood, which is a metabolite of old red blood cells. Normally, the liver removes excess bilirubin from the blood, and it is excreted in the bile. The process of bilirubin metabolism is disturbed by excessive destruction of red blood cells or liver diseases caused by infections or the action of certain drugs.

Obstruction of the outflow of bile in the bile duct system can also cause jaundice by interfering with the flow of bile into the digestive system. Liver infections such as hepatitis A, B and C, infectious mononucleosis and leptospirosis, paracetamol overdose, liver cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, liver cancer can cause jaundice by damaging liver cells. Diseases such as malaria, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Gilbert's syndrome, etc., can also cause jaundice due to increased breakdown of red blood cells. Conditions that prevent the flow of bile and thereby cause jaundice include gallstone formation, pancreatitis, cholangitis, and cancer of the bile duct and pancreas.

Hemolytic anemia is another factor that can cause urine to turn dark brown or yellow. With hemolytic anemia, hemolysis of erythrocytes is increased, which is not fully compensated by their maturation in the bone marrow. The number of red blood cells decreases, and the increased breakdown of red blood cells increases the level of bilirubin in the blood and causes jaundice.

In addition to being dark yellow, urine can be orange, brown, and greenish in other bodily conditions.

Decryption
"Urine reddish brown »

Reddish-brown urine is observed in hepatitis and melanoma, as well as in copper poisoning.

Decryption
"Smoky (silver) brown
and red or pink urine."

Urine acquires this color when eating foods such as beets, beans, and blackberries. Please note that red, pink urine can be a sign of serious illness.

Deciphering the blue and green color of urine

Blue or green urine turns blue or green when you have recently eaten colored foods or taken methylene blue medication. Blue or green urine is stained with bacterial urinary tract infections or taking amitriptyline, indomethacin, and doxorubicin.

Blue urine is a symptom of a bacterial infection and a hereditary disease such as familial hypercalcemia.

Deciphering the analysis
"Cloudy and dark urine with an unpleasant odor"

Such urine usually indicates a urinary tract infection.

Deciphering the color of urine
"Red or pink urine"

This test result reflects the presence of blood in the urine, which is usually associated with an infection caused by kidney stones.

Associated symptoms of discoloration of urine

• If dark yellow urine is associated with a urinary tract infection, then it may cause a strong and unpleasant odor.
• The person experiences frequent urge to urinate and burning during urination.
• In some individuals, the infection is accompanied by fever and abdominal pain.

Before drawing any conclusions regarding the causes of changes in the color of urine, it is very important to pay attention to food recently consumed, as well as the amount of fluid consumed. The fact is that temporary abnormal staining of urine is usually caused by the use of certain foods and dehydration. Water plays a key role in removing impurities from the body through urine. But if your dark yellow urine for a significant period of time, with an unpleasant odor, then be sure to consult a doctor.

To diagnose a disease the doctor should properly analyze the complaints, symptoms and medical history. Order a blood test, liver function tests, urinalysis, and an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder, which are required to identify specific causes of dark yellow urine. The results of these diagnostic tests, in turn, will determine the course of treatment.

Rainbow pee!

Urine includes the end products of metabolism, which color it in different colors. What color is healthy urine in humans?

The answer to this question is simple - it

What factors affect the color of urine?

• The presence of dyes in food.
• The use of certain products.
• Taking medication.
• metabolic processes.

What does the color of urine indicate? Amber - about the pigments urobilin, urochrome and others, and the level of its saturation depends on the number of such pigments. In addition, the more liquid a person consumes, the less urine stains. With a lack of water, especially in hot, dry weather and with increased sweating, the urine darkens.

Why does the color of urine change in a healthy person?

Some people do not know what color urine should be, and therefore worry about it turning greenish or reddish. For example, why If you eat beets, blackberries or rhubarb, this color of urine appears. In some cases, pregnant women have urine that turns orange. A similar color appears when eating carrots and fruits rich in carotene. Redness of the urine can also occur after poisoning with toxic substances. When red urine appears in women, it is necessary to consult a specialist. The appearance of blood in the urine is considered a prerequisite for serious health problems in women. Timely assistance will help to avoid serious problems and consequences.

Why is urine red and painful? This happens with diseases of the urinary tract and urination. occurs in people who take antibiotics. As a rule, the doctor talks about the side effects of drugs, so there is no need to be afraid. Green urine comes from eating asparagus. The blue color may be the result of taking a complex of vitamins or medicines. After eating legumes, urine becomes dark in color. Light-colored urine appears with excessive fluid intake.

dark urine

Urine contains the enzyme urochrome, which has a yellow pigment, the concentration of which determines the shade of urine in a healthy person. The higher the concentration of the enzyme, the correspondingly darker the color of the urine. In addition, its color is influenced by other factors. For example, pregnant women have dark colored urine.

During the bearing of a child, the woman's body is transformed, all the internal systems of the body experience an increased load. Dark urine in a woman during this period is the result of a restructuring of the body. The reason for this in early pregnancy is dehydration due to toxicosis, manifested by vomiting.

A dark shade of urine can give:

• Food;
• medications;
• starvation diets;
• difficult working conditions;
• intense physical activity;
• violation of the diet, insufficient amount of water drunk per day.

At the same time, what does the color of urine say dark? Urine of this color can also be a symptom of various diseases:

• kidneys;
• liver;
• genitourinary system;
• gynecological;
• infectious;
• venereal;
• oncological.

At the same time, dark urine in a woman may also be accompanied by a specific unpleasant odor.

If you detect dark urine, you should contact your doctor and get a referral for testing, according to the results of which the doctor will prescribe an additional examination, diagnose and treat.

Causes of dark urine in a child

If in the morning parents notice the dark color of urine in a child, this is not a reason to sound the alarm right away, since it is caused by natural causes of the vital activity of the body. During the day, its color returns to normal.

If the urine remains dark during the day, then it may be:

• Infectious disease of the genitourinary system of a child. Urine takes on a dark brown hue. In advanced cases, mucus, pus and blood are found in it.
• This condition is manifested by pain in the abdomen, fever, vomiting. The water-electrolyte balance is disturbed, dehydration of the body occurs, urine becomes dark.
• Liver disease, in which urine can even be black.

Why do children have cloudy urine?

The appearance of cloudy urine in a child is familiar to many parents. It is known that urine is the main indicators of the state of the body. However, not everyone knows what to do in such a situation. If with sediment, then parents do not need to immediately panic, the reasons for this are varied, most of them are absolutely harmless.

The appearance of cloudy urine in the first days of a baby's life should not bother parents, as this is a physiological normal phenomenon. And after a short period of time everything will be back to normal. In infants, this situation is possible at the beginning of the introduction of complementary foods, as the composition of feeding changes.

Reasons for changing the color of urine in children:

• the use of certain foods, such as plums, gooseberries, sorrel, parsley, grapes, legumes;
• lack of fluid in the body;
• burns that occupy a large surface of the skin;
• excess vitamins;
• acute respiratory infections;
• inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system;
• diseases of the liver and biliary tract (hepatitis, parenchymal jaundice);
• diabetes;
• acute infectious and inflammatory process (pyelonephritis);
• blood disease - hemolytic anemia;
• congenital anomalies in the structure of the kidneys;
• intoxication of the body in case of poisoning or infection.

In the evening hours, urine can become slightly cloudy even in healthy babies - this is associated with overworking the child during the day. If the child has cloudy urine with sediment, with a pungent odor and mucus, and the baby does not sleep and eat well, then you should definitely contact a specialist who will determine the cause and prescribe treatment.

Preventive actions:

• compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• constant emptying of the bladder;
• strengthening immunity;
• reduced salt intake;
• limiting the use of foods that contain a lot of calcium;
• drinking enough fluids.

If a sediment or cloudy urine appears, it is necessary to observe the condition of the baby. If unusual symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor and not engage in self-treatment.

Presence of acetone in urine

Most people attribute the bad odor that comes out of their urine to food. The appearance of acetone in the urine indicates problems with the kidneys. In many cases, the problem can be easily solved - just returning to a healthy lifestyle is enough, but sometimes a medical examination is necessary. Timely diagnosis and testing will help to avoid negative consequences. If you do not start treatment on time, it can lead to serious illness. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to know the reasons for the appearance of acetone in the urine.

Acetone in urine in adults: causes

• Excessive consumption of spicy and fatty foods contributes to the accumulation of harmful substances in the body.
• Irregular physical activity.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• The effects of anesthesia.
• Poisoning and high fever.
• Eating only low-calorie foods.

These causes are quite serious and need to be addressed immediately.

Symptoms indicating the presence of acetone in the urine:

• the presence of a strong unpleasant odor when urinating;
• increase in body temperature;
• unstable mental state;
• high blood glucose levels;
• continuous desire to rest and sleep;
• pallor and crimson;
• lack of thirst and appetite;
• unexplained vomiting and diarrhea.

Actions for the detection of acetone in the urine

If you find some symptoms and think that you have acetone in your urine, then it is recommended to get tested. This can be done in the outpatient laboratory. Routine urinalysis can detect acetonuria.

It is very risky to detect acetone in the urine of pregnant women. Acetone can occur in urine due to toxicosis and frequent vomiting. In this case, it is recommended to restore the water-salt balance in the body of a pregnant woman. If a woman is not worried about anything, then if acetone is found in the urine, it is recommended to be tested again. And if there is a positive result again, then you will need to undergo other examinations that will help determine the causes of its occurrence and take the necessary measures.

Treatment

If proper nutrition and normalization of the order of the day did not give a result, then special preparations should be taken. If acetone is found in the urine of adults, the causes may be associated with intoxication with poisons or heavy metals, with a change in the level of thyroid hormones. In the presence of similar problems, inpatient treatment is recommended, which, if necessary, may include droppers, intramuscular injections, and surgery.

With the timely detection of acetone in the urine, it is quite easy to eliminate the causes of its appearance. Before starting any treatment, you need to seek help from specialists.

Diseases and color of urine

Consider what the color of urine indicates in diseases:

• Pale yellow - lack of pigments and with polyuria.
• Dark lemon color appears with toxicosis, dehydration, which is caused by vomiting, as well as fever.
• White - when pus, phosphates, lipids penetrate into the urine. This is possible with pyelonephritis, fatty degeneration of the kidneys and urolithiasis.
• Brown color - an increased amount of urobilin, for example, with anemia, poisoning, problems with blood clotting.
• Black color accompanies the disease melanosarcoma and hemolytic kidney.
• The color of beer when bile pigments enter the excretory system.
• Red - when blood comes in.

So, what does the color of urine say? A change in the color of urine is not always the cause of the disease, but you should carefully monitor the signals of the body.

A variant of the norm is a change in shade when taking vitamin preparations. Retinol, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, which are part of all vitamin complexes, contribute to the staining of secretions in an intense yellow color.

The norm is a bright shade of urine after eating foods rich in pigments - carrots, sweets containing dyes.

Morning urine is more concentrated, so it is more intensely colored. This is not a deviation from the norm.

Causes of bright yellow urine

A change in the shade of the secreted liquid to a rich yellow can be caused by a number of reasons. Some of them do not pose a threat, others require treatment. The possible causes of discoloration of urine in adults, children and pregnant women are discussed below.

Lemon color urine in women and men

The reasons for the bright color of urine can be natural, for example:

• insufficient drinking;
• increased sweating;
• taking vitamins or certain medications;
• nutritional features;
• breast-feeding.

In addition, a change in the color of urine can indicate serious health problems:

1. Diarrhea and vomiting accompanying an intestinal infection. Dehydration in this case leads to an increase in the concentration of urine.
2. Liver diseases. This is caused either by increased secretion of the urobilin pigment, or by the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity with a decrease in its output through the kidneys (with cirrhosis).
3. Urolithiasis and predisposition to it (the shade changes due to an increase in the concentration of excreted fluid).
4. Urinary tract infections.
5. Diseases of the biliary system. Accompanying symptoms - yellowing of the mucous membranes, skin, whites of the eyes.
6. Edema of various etiologies.

If it is not possible to justify the change in urine color with simple reasons that do not pose a threat to health, you should contact your therapist for an additional examination and diagnosis.

Causes of color change in children

It is advisable to evaluate the color of children's urine in relation to the age of the child. In a newborn, it is practically. During the first four weeks of life, color jumps associated with internal processes are possible. For example, about a week after birth, the color of the liquid changes to brick yellow. This short-term change is natural. By the second month of life, the color of the discharge stabilizes, straw yellow is considered the norm.

Too bright coloring of children's urine can be due to both dietary habits, vitamin intake or lack of fluid, and various diseases. Color change is provoked by the following pathologies:

1. Viral hepatitis.
2. Hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells increases urine pigmentation).
3. Urolithiasis (rare, but occurs in children).
4. Diseases of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
5. Biliary dyskinesia.
6. Inflammation of the gallbladder - cholecystitis.
7. Inflammation of the urogenital area ().

It is urgent to consult a doctor if, in addition to changing the appearance of urine, there are other alarming symptoms - pain, temperature, unusual color of the skin and mucous membranes. A dangerous symptom is fluid and the appearance of uncharacteristic impurities - pus or blood. A reason to be wary is the persistence of atypical staining for several days, if this is not due to the intake of any drugs or food rich in pigments.

Color changes in pregnancy

The color and other characteristics of urine are very important indicators of a woman's health during pregnancy. Bright coloring may indicate the presence of toxicosis - a dangerous condition for the mother and fetus.

Another serious complication of pregnancy that affects the color of the discharge is preeclampsia. Accompanied by edema, high blood pressure. The work of the brain, blood vessels and kidneys worsens, the protein content in the excreted fluid increases, and its concentration increases.

Lack of fluid, prenatal multivitamins and some foods also affect the color of urine.

How to bring the color of urine back to normal

The answer to this question depends on the reason that caused it to change:

1. If it's dehydration, you need to increase the amount of water you drink. The concentration of urine will decrease, and the color will return to normal.
2. Unnatural coloration that has arisen while taking vitamins or medications will pass on its own after the course is completed.
3. If the color change is provoked by certain foods (beets, carrots, citrus fruits, foods with dyes in the composition), you can reduce their consumption or remove them from the diet, but not necessarily.

Saturated urine color, not explained by the above reasons, may be a symptom of a serious illness. In this case, you must consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe additional tests and examinations, the results of which will help diagnose the disease, and prescribe the right treatment.