A simple check after going to the toilet can help detect a hidden health condition. Urination is an important bodily function necessary to eliminate waste products, maintain fluid balance, and assess kidney function.
The average person urinates six to seven times in 24 hours, but four to 10 is still considered healthy. The color of your urine will look different depending on how much fluid you consume during the day; Most of us are aware that a dark yellow tint can indicate dehydration. Similarly, completely clear urine means you’ve been drinking too much water and you may be at risk of water intoxication. However, there are some colors in urine that may cause alarm.
Mr Hamid Abboudi, a urological surgeon, warned of three specific colors in your urine that should not be ignored. Speaking to Express.co.uk, the surgeon said: “The color of your urine can tell you a lot about your health, so it’s always worth taking a look before flushing.”
ATTENTION TO THE 3 COLORS!
According to Hamid, the colors to pay particular attention to are orange, pink and red. Orange urine may indicate a serious liver problem. “Very dark or orange urine, especially if your stool has also turned pale or white, could be a sign of severe dehydration or a problem with the liver. This will always warrant seeing your doctor.” said.
He continued: “A red or pink tint to your urine may represent the presence of blood, which should always prompt you to see your doctor or a urologist. Blood in your urine can cause symptoms such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones, kidney disease, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, and certain medications.” It can be caused by a variety of causes. It is also important to rule out prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer. Your doctor or urologist can perform simple tests to make sure the bleeding is not from any of these causes.
Hamid listed other colors and types of urine that may be associated with a health problem.
PALE YELLOW URINE
The color of normal urine is pale yellow; This means you’re probably drinking the right amount of water and staying well hydrated.
DARK YELLOW URINE
Dark yellow urine is concentrated, which can be a sign of dehydration.
She said: “Dehydration can have negative effects on your kidneys and lead to other medical problems such as kidney stones. Kidney stones can be extremely painful, so it’s important to stay well hydrated.”
CLEAR OR COLOURLESS URINE
The surgeon said it was important not to drink too much water as excessive fluid intake could also cause problems. “Drinking too much water can cause an imbalance in the sodium level in your blood, which can cause kidney damage, seizures, and even be fatal. Fortunately, this is a rare condition.” said.
CLOUDY URINE
Cloudy urine or the presence of visible sediment may indicate a urine infection.
Hamid added: “If cloudiness is accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating and/or fever, infection is more likely and you should consult your doctor. If infections are common or difficult to treat, your doctor will likely refer you to a urologist for more specialist examinations and treatment.”
