Urine is excreted by the body to remove toxins and waste from the blood. These substances will affect the color of urine. That is why, changes in urine color can be used to describe the condition of the body's health.
Normal urine color varies from pale yellow, clear, to golden. This yellow color comes from a body pigment called urochrome. The more you drink water, the paler your urine will be. Pale urine color can also be caused by taking diuretic drugs, which are drugs to stimulate urine output.
While urine that is green, brown, blue, or red, can be caused by a disease, such as infection or injury in the urinary tract, and damage to red blood cells. It can also be caused by drugs, food, and drinks consumed.
Recognize the Meaning of Urine Color
As an indication of the health condition of the body, the following is the meaning of urine color that you need to know:
- Chocolate tuaBrown or dark brown urine can be a sign of liver and kidney problems, urinary tract infections, gallstones, and hemolytic anemia. Dark brown urine can also be caused by drug side effects. A number of drugs that can make urine dark brown in color are antimalarial drugs, antibiotics, and laxatives that contain cascara or senna.
- Deep yellow
Dark yellow urine is generally caused by dehydration. Dehydration can occur when the amount of fluid removed from the body is greater than the amount of fluid taken in.
- orange
Orange urine can be caused by a health problem with the liver or bile ducts, especially if it is accompanied by stools that look pale or white.
In addition, orange urine can also occur if you are dehydrated or because of the side effects of chemotherapy, laxatives, the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine, the drug phenazopyridine for urinary tract infections, TB drugs rifampin and isoniazid, and high doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2).
- White and cloudy
Urine that is cloudy or milky white in color and smells bad can be a sign of a urinary tract infection accompanied by the formation of pus. This condition is called pyuria. The causes include bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
The color of urine that becomes cloudy is also a sign of a buildup of white blood cells, uric acid, protein, or fat in the urine.
- Red muda or red
Red or pink urine can be caused by the foods you eat, such as beets, blackberry, or red dragon fruit. In addition, it can also be caused by the side effects of certain drugs for urinary tract infections and the TB drug rifampin.
nowIf your urine is pink or red, try to watch for other symptoms. Because the color of red urine can also indicate bloody urine, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, tumors or stones in the kidneys and bladder, prostate disorders, hemolytic anemia, or the genetic disorder porphyria.
- Green or blue
The color of this one urine may surprise you. Usually blue or green urine can be caused by food coloring, or a side effect of the asthma medication, the antidepressant amitriptyline, the anesthetic propofol, and the dye methylene blue. Call your doctor immediately if your urine color does not return to normal.
Changes in urine color can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from harmless to fatal. So, keep a close eye on the condition of your urine. Drink plenty of water if your urine color changes due to dehydration. However, if the color of your urine still does not return to normal even though you have drunk enough water, immediately consult a doctor.