5 Ways Your Urine Is Telling You That Something Is Wrong With Your Body

Let’s set the record straight right from the beginning, your urine should be pale yellow and clear. Anything else, take note. This may be a sign of more serious health concerns. At Summit Urology Group, our board-certified urologists can help evaluate your urine and determine if you are suffering from any underlying conditions. For more information, please contact our office in Salt Lake City, Utah at (801) 993-1800 and schedule an appointment today!

Cloudy Urine Means…

You are probably not drinking a sufficient amount of water. Once you become dehydrated your urine gets concentrated and can look cloudy instead of clear. If you drink lots of coffee or carbonated soft drinks, the caffeine can make the same sort of cloudiness occur. So try substituting that afternoon soft drink with water, and maybe drink half caffeinated and half caffeine free coffee in the A.M.

Cloudy urine could also indicate kidney stones. No one ever forgets the nightmare of having kidney stones, and as the stones move and break up, they can cause your urine to appear cloudy.

Urinary tract bacteria infections will usually make urine appear cloudy. Diabetes, a sexually transmitted infection, or kidney disease will also have this effect.

Too Frequent Urination

If you find yourself spending more time in the bathroom than usual, it could indicate some of the following:

• Enlarged prostate in men
• A urinary tract infection or UTI
• Diabetes
• Kidney problems

Foul Smelling Urine

When you notice a foul smell coming from the toilet, it could be something as simple as having asparagus for dinner. About half the population has this common reaction to eating this particular veggie.

Sometimes, a nasty smell can be from a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection. Pregnancy can often change the smell of urine, but most changes in smell are likely due to new medications, foods, or supplements like Vitamin B6. These common causes are almost always temporary, and are not a reason to panic.

To be on the safe side, if an unusual smell does not go away in a day or two, see Steven Gange, M.D., F.A.C.S. to get a proper diagnosis, followed by a course of treatment.

Dark Colored Urine

If you urine looks dark brown, this could be a sign of something serious, so see your professional as soon as possible. Most often, dark urine is associated with liver disease or blood in the urine.

Foamy Urine

Foam in the urine is usually not harmful,  but it could mean your diet consists of too much protein. Foamy urine could also indicate a kidney problem. If it happens frequently, see your doctor.

Most changes in urine smell and color are temporary, but sometimes they can indicate an underlying medical condition. An exam and urinalysis will help clear up any questions right away.