Strong-smelling urine has several possible causes. One possibility, diabetes, is a serious medical concern. Other reasons can range from diet — specifically asparagus — to a urinary tract infection, which requires treatment.
Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
Urine does not usually have a strong odor to it, but a person may notice an ammonia odor at times. Possible causes include certain foods, supplement use, a urinary tract infection, a liver or kidney problem, or dehydration.
"A urine infection will make your urine smell pretty foul at times," Shah says. This could signal a variety of bladder problems, like a UTI, bladder infection, or inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). If you notice your pee doesn't just smell strong, but it smells bad, you should see a doctor to get it checked out.
Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. If you have more waste than water in your urine, it can smell more strongly. In most cases, a strong smell isn't a sign of disease. It's usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water.
It's not necessary to see your GP about smelly urine unless you're concerned. This may be, for example, if you have other symptoms too. See your GP if: you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as pain, presence of blood, or a burning sensation when urinating and a need to urinate often.
A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have blood glucose levels that are dangerously high. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose in the urine, and this can cause a sweet smell. People with sweet-smelling urine due to diabetes may notice other symptoms, including: exhaustion.
If you have BPH, you may need to wake up often to urinate when you sleep. Your urine may have an unusual color or smell. You may also have pain while urinating or after ejaculation. If you have BPH, you may need to wake up often to urinate when you sleep.
Pee that smells like ammonia
The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder. Urine showing signs of a UTI also may be cloudy or even a bit bloody.
When the excess urea in your body reacts with saliva, it forms ammonia–which you then exhale through your breath. If you have CKD, this is what gives your breath that ammonia scent. The medical name for this is “uremic fetor”.
If you have liver disease, it can make your urine color dark yellow and smell bad. Kidney Disease. If you have kidney disease, your urine might have a stronger smell to it.
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria. Sweet-smelling urine may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes or a rare disease of metabolism. Liver disease and certain metabolic disorders may cause musty-smelling urine.
Symptoms of trichomonas
a yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis, which can sometimes have an unpleasant, 'fishy' smell. genital itching and soreness which can lead to infections of the urethra (the passage that carries pee from the bladder) and infection of the prostate gland.
Drinking plenty of water, around 8-10 glasses a day, will dilute your urine and reduce its odor. In fact, if your urine is a dark yellow color and has a stronger odor, it's a huge sign that you're probably dehydrated and should start drinking more water. This will lead to more clean urine, and less odor.
Mix one part distilled white vinegar with four parts water. If the stain is extra smelly, use half vinegar and half water. Pour (or spray) this solution on the fabric to neutralize the smell. If you have a microfiber couch, swap out rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar (which can leave a stain).
To keep urine acidic and naturally reduce odor, drinking cranberry juice (6 to 8 ounces a day) may be helpful. If you are diabetic or overweight, be careful!
Diabetes: Strong sweet-smelling urine is a sign of advanced diabetes, which can be diagnosed with urinalysis. With advanced diabetes, sugar and ketones, which are normally absent, can accumulate in the urine and create a strong odor.
Liver disease
Always see your doctor if you notice your urine has an unusual, ammonia-like odor. Other symptoms that may indicate your liver needs attention include dark brown or orange-hued urine.