What Does Your Urine Say About Your Health
By Catherine M, Staff Editor
Last Updated on March 6th, 2023 / Published on February 27, 2018
You might have observed that your urine color does not stay the same for long and it continuously changes its hues. The most common color of the urine according to the urine color chart is pale yellowish or gold. There is a chemical called urochrome that is responsible for the pale yellow color. If your urine is of any other color, it could be an indication that something might be not right in your body.
Why should you bother knowing about all this? You should be interested in comprehending what the urine color means, as it says many things about your overall health.
Read further to learn about the urine color chart and how to correctly interpret it.
How to read the urine color chart?
The kidney flushes all the toxins out of your system in the form of urine. So, the urine consists of chemicals, water, salt, urea and uric acid. Your pee color changes depending on what you eat, the medication you consume, how much water you drink and how often you use the loo.
Here are some of the typical colors in the urine color chart that you must know:
- Transparent: If your urine is colorless then it means that either you drink a lot of water or you are consuming the diuretic drug, which is prescribed with patients with cardiac diseases, kidney and liver disorders. The drug promotes increased production of urine, leading to clear urine.
- Honey or Amber: According to the urine color chart, you need not worry if you are passing honey colored urine. All you need to do is stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids to get your urine color back to the usual pale yellow color.
- Pink or reddish: You might worry if you pass pink or red urine, but you must know that it is isn’t as serious as you think it is. If you have been eating a lot of beetroots, blackberries or rhubarbs, you are likely to experience pink or red urine. Medications like antibiotic rifampin or phenazopyridine used to treat tuberculosis and urinary tract disorder respectively can turn your urine red or pink.
- Dark Brown: Dark brown urine should be taken seriously. It can mean that you are severely dehydrated, and you need to act quickly to improve your situation. It can also be a warning sign indicating potential liver problems. See a doctor if it does not go back to normal in few days.
- Orange: Orange urine should not be taken casually. While some medications like sulfasalazine and phenazopyridine can turn your urine orange, there is an equal probability that your orange urine is trying to warn you about a serious health concern.
The standard urine color chart also says that orange urine can mean that you are suffering from a liver disorder or a bile duct condition. It could also mean that you are alarmingly dehydrated. - Blue or green: Blue or green urine don’t go unnoticed. One of the most common causes of blue or green urine according to the urine color chart is bright food dyes. Medications like propofol or promethazine can cause your urine to be in hues of blue or green. Interestingly, some people experience green or blue urine because they suffer from a rare genetic disorder called familial benign hypercalcemia.
- Foamy: The texture of your urine also gives away your health. If you notice that your pee is frothy or murky, then it is best to see a doctor immediately. Irrespective of what your urine color is, if it is foamy, it means that something is not right. It could mean that there is an excess of protein in your urine or you are suffering from kidney problem or urinary tract infection.
What does the odor say?
If your urine has a strong smell, then it can mean many things. Dehydration causes dark, concentrated urine that stinks of ammonia. Food like asparagus or those rich in Vitamin B 6 can produce a strong urine odor. If you notice that your pee has a strong smell, discuss it with your doctor as it might be a warning of some grave ailment.
When to see your doctor?
If peeing has become a painful task or you spot blood in your urine, then you must immediately see your doctor. Also, if you notice that your urine color has turned orange, dark brown or foamy and it has been so for quite some time, then you must not delay and book an appointment with your doctor.
How to naturally maintain your urine color?
Here are some ways in which you can naturally bring your urine color back to normal:
- It goes without saying that you need to drink plenty of water if you see an abnormal change in your urine color.
- Do not control your urge to use the loo as it might lead to severe kidney problems. On an average, a person empties his or her bladder up to eight times a day.
- Eating right and keeping yourself hydrated will help you maintain a steady, healthy urine color.