Why urine changes color. Urine gets its color, which is typically yellow, from a pigment called urochrome, or urobilin. Lighter colored urine is more diluted, whereas darker urine contains less fluid. Very dark urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated. If your urine doesn't fit within this color scheme, don't panic ...
Even if you see your urine turn pink or red one time, you should contact your doctor and get evaluated. Dark brown and foamy urine can indicate the presence of liver disease or possibly old blood and should also prompt you to visit your doctor. “Dark brown doesn't always mean disease.
Health Clues From Color
The most optimal color for your urine is a pale yellow. If it is a darker yellow or orange, it can mean you are becoming dehydrated. An orange urine could indicate a serious liver condition. Darker brown can be caused by foods or medication.
Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep gold. Urine that's abnormally colored may have tints of red, orange, blue, green, or brown.
Medium-dark yellow urine is often an indication that you are dehydrated. Drink 2-3 glasses of water now.
Diabetes can cause cloudy urine when too much sugar builds up in your urine. Your urine may also smell sweet or fruity. Diabetes can also lead to kidney complications or increase risk of infections of the urinary tract, both of which can also make your urine appear cloudy.
Some liver and kidney disorders and some urinary tract infections can turn urine dark brown.
Is clear urine always a good thing? In most cases, clear urine is a sign that you're well hydrated. And that's a positive thing because good hydration helps your body function at its best. But, in some cases, clear pee may mean that you're drinking too much water and you're too hydrated.
The most common color of urine is yellow, which is caused by the presence of urobilin , a biochemical waste product generated from the breakdown of old red blood cells. (Your body makes about 2 million new red blood cells every day, and recycles an equal number of old ones.)
When you're healthy and hydrated, your urine should fall somewhere between colorless and the color of light straw and honey. When you don't consume enough fluids, your urine becomes more concentrated and turns a darker yellow or amber color.
The more water you drink, the clearer your urine looks. As a general rule of thumb, it's usually a good sign for your health when the color of your urine is a pale shade of yellow or clear. Dark yellow urine can be normal, but it might mean you need more fluids.
Clear urine is a sign of good hydration and a healthy urinary tract. However, if they consistently notice clear urine and also have extreme or unusual thirst, it is best to speak to a doctor.
This coloring is primarily caused by the pigment urochrome, also known as urobilin. Whether your urine is diluted by water or in a more concentrated form determines the appearance of the pigment. The more water you drink, and the more hydrated you become, the lighter the pigment in your urine.
The darker the colour of the urine, the more concentrated it is. Because people tend to sleep for several hours without having a drink, their urine is normally darker when urinating first thing in the morning.
Blood Tests. Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed.
For most people, the normal number of times to urinate per day is between 6 – 7 in a 24 hour period. Between 4 and 10 times a day can also be normal if that person is healthy and happy with the number of times they visit the toilet.
Dark urine is most commonly due to dehydration. However, it may be an indicator that excess, unusual, or potentially dangerous waste products are circulating in the body. For example, dark brown urine may indicate liver disease due to the presence of bile in the urine.
A simple way to gauge your level of hydration is to pay attention to the color of your urine. If your urine is very dark and has a strong odor, you are definitely dehydrated and should increase your water intake. If your urine is completely clear, you are likely drinking too much.
Cloudy or milky urine is a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may also cause a bad smell. Milky urine may also be caused by bacteria, crystals, fat, white or red blood cells, or mucus in the urine.
Light-brown or tea-colored urine can be a sign of kidney disease/failure or muscle breakdown.
The most common symptoms of UTIs include changes in urination such as frequency, pain, or burning; urine looks dark, cloudy, or red and smells bad; back or side pain; nausea/vomiting; and fever.
Foamy, frothy or bubbly urine.