DID YOU KNOW?
Do you sometimes wonder why you give a urine sample during every doctor’s visit? Believe it or not, urine has been a useful diagnostic tool since the beginning of medicine. Your urine’s color, smell, density and even how often you urinate is useful in revealing information about your health. In fact, urine can reveal if you are taking vitamins or medication or even if you have an infection.
Dr. Troy Sukkarieh who is a board-certified urologic surgeon with fellowship training in robotics and advanced laparoscopic surgery at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, New Jersey, stated in his article “What Your Pee Is Telling You” by Everyday Health, “There is no perfect urine. The quality and quantity of your urine can change based on your health and lifestyle. However, it’s important to know what is normal for you. This way, you can relay any serious or bothersome changes to your doctor.”
What is Your Urine Telling You?
Information from Dr. Troy Sukkarieh, M.D.,
“What Is Your Pee Telling You”
Here are some clues Dr. Sukkarieh suggests on what different urine colors may indicate:
• Blue-green urine may be the result of certain medications such as laxatives, chemotherapy drugs, or vitamins. If you aren’t taking any of these meds, and you continue to see this color for more than a few days, call your doctor to discuss.
• Bright yellow or orange urine can indicate you’ve consumed a lot of vitamin C, carrots, beets, or other foods in the orange family. Some medications can turn your urine this color as well.
• Dark orange or brown urine is cause for concern. This may mean you have bile in your urine or a problem with your liver.
• Pink or red urine can simply indicate you’ve eaten red-tinted food. On a more serious note, this can also be a sign of blood in your urine.
Bloody urine may point to internal injury, kidney issues, or cancer.
Cloudy urine has been found to imply the presence of phosphates, which can be a sign of kidney stones. Cloudiness can also imply an infection. If cloudiness worsens and you experience burning or urgency, make sure to see a doctor.
For more information on “What Is Your Pee Telling You”, go to Everyday Health Guest Columnist, the April 6th, 2015 Issue.