Some bodily functions are harder to talk about than others, no matter how normal they may be. Take urinating, for example: we all do it, yet nobody likes talking about it.
Since we don’t usually discuss what happens in the bathroom, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what warrants an immediate trip to the doctor.
There are tons of different signs your urine might be trying to send you—and the signal you’ll get most often is that you’re OK!
But, it’s extremely important to keep an eye out for the signs that aren’t so good. Here are a few things your urine can tell you about your health:
- Change in Frequency: Suddenly have to go all the time? Or not at all? You could have an infection if this is happening fairly often. While one day every once in a while is usually no big deal, it’s important to look out for things that seem off. Changes in frequency can often be a sign of a bladder infection or inflammation, incontinence, diabetes, pregnancy, or even an overactive bladder.
- Change in Smell: It sounds gross, but you really need to know your body—and that includes your urine. You should have some kind of idea of what your urine looks, feels, and even smells like. In general, urine should be fairly odorless. A strong odor could be the result of eating asparagus or drinking strong coffee. If you notice an ammonia-like smell, this usually means you’re dehydrated. A musty smell, however, might be caused by something more serious, like liver disease or a metabolic disorder.
- Change in Consistency: If you haven’t gone to the bathroom in a while, your urine may seem thicker and darker. However, cloudy urine could be the result of an infection or even kidney stones. Foamy urine generally indicates a buildup of protein or a kidney problem. ##MN_RESP##
- Change in Color: Normally, your urine should be pale yellow in color if you’re drinking enough water. But everyone is different. Again, that’s why it’s so important to know what “normal” is for you. Color changes can, however, mean something more serious. Here are a few of the most common changes:
Brown: While light brown urine can be caused by eating a lot of rhubarb or fava beans, darker brown urine may indicate kidney or liver disease. Certain medications, like laxatives, muscle relaxants, and antibiotics can also turn urine brown.
Orange: This color tends to be caused by orange foods containing carotene, like carrots. However, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and blood thinners are just a few medications that can also turn urine orange.
Red/Pink: Don’t freak out just yet! Red urine does not always mean blood. Yes, it may indicate an infection, kidney disease, kidney stones, liver disease, or even cancer. But red/pink urine can also be the result of anesthetics, laxatives, and even some antipsychotic drugs.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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