What The Color Of Your Urine Says About Your Health
While urine that’s red or pink might be from something you ate recently, there are sometimes other causes. Some health conditions can cause blood to appear in your urine, a symptom known as
hematuria, including:
- enlarged prostate
- kidney stones
- tumors in the bladder and kidney
Speak to a doctor if you’re ever concerned about blood in your urine.
Orange
If your urine appears orange, it could be a symptom of dehydration. If you have urine that’s orange in addition to light colored stools, bile may be getting into your bloodstream because of issues with your bile ducts or liver. Adult-onset jaundice can also cause orange urine.
Blue or green
Blue or green urine can be caused by food coloring. It can also be the result of dyes used in medical tests performed on your kidneys or bladder.
The pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection can also cause your urine to turn blue, green, or even indigo purple. In general, blue urine is rare and most likely connected to something in your diet.
Dark brown
In most cases, urine that’s dark brown indicates dehydration. Dark brown urine can also be a side effect of certain medications, including metronidazole (Flagyl) and chloroquine (Aralen).
Eating large amounts of rhubarb, aloe, or fava beans can cause dark brown urine. A condition called porphyria can cause a buildup of the natural chemicals in your bloodstream and cause rusty or brown urine. Dark brown urine can also be an indicator of liver disease, as it can be caused by bile getting into your urine.
Cloudy
Cloudy urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. It can also be a symptom of some chronic diseases and kidney conditions. In some cases, cloudy urine is another sign of being dehydrated.
Cloudy urine with foam or bubbles is called pneumaturia. This can be a symptom of serious health conditions, including Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis. There are some cases where urine is foamy, and doctors can’t determine the cause.