Contents
The appearance, color and smell of urine are parameters that can tell a lot about our health. They are sometimes related to what we eat or drink – unusual changes are rarely a concern. It happens, however, that a different color or smell of urine is a signal of serious health problems. What should worry us and why?
- What the urine looks like and smells like is influenced, among others, by how much fluid we drink. If we are dehydrated, we will see changes in the functioning of the genitourinary system very quickly
- The smell of urine also changes with our diet. Unpleasant, pungent smell may appear, among others when we eat something spicy or intense in taste
- Changes in this matter may also be a signal of urinary tract infection
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Why does the smell of our urine change?
The smell of our urine is greatly influenced by what and how much we eat and drink. For example, If we don’t drink enough fluids our urine can have an unpleasant, pungent odor (and its color may also change – from straw yellow to dark). This is because our body tries to retain as much fluid as possible in order to maintain its functions. The urine then becomes more concentrated.
If you experience these two symptoms together, i.e. dark urine is accompanied by an unpleasant odor, you should definitely drink at least a large glass of water. Mild dehydration can be a consequence (as well as a symptom) of headache, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
The smell of urine is influenced by salt
Urine with a different smell than usual can also be produced by those who eat it foods and drinks with a strong or characteristic odor. Most often, the smell of urine changes after eating asparagus: as a result of the breakdown of one of the acids present in the asparagus, urine smells different than usual. Brussels sprouts, onions and garlic, fish, strong spices, coffee and alcohol can also alter the odor of urine.
Unpleasant smell of urine can also be a sign of a diet containing too much salt: it becomes more concentrated and therefore smells more intense.
The rest of the text below the video.
Urine “ammonia” as a signal of infection
Urine with an unpleasant ammonia-like odor may be one of the first symptoms of a urinary tract infection. A by-product of bacteria that settle in the urinary tract, multiplying there and causing inflammation, also causes a difference in the smell of urine.
Other symptoms of infection include bloody or cloudy urine, pain and burning when you visit the toilet, and frequent urge to urinate. Urinary tract infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
The proper functioning of the kidneys is supported by e.g. fruit and herbal mixtures. One of them is Natural Tincture according to Father Klimuszko’s recipe. You can buy it in Medonet Market.
Diabetic urine has an unusual smell
Until the proper tests were done, doctors diagnosed diabetes by the smell and even the taste of urine. In diabetics, the kidneys cannot cope with the excess amount of glucose in the bloodstream, so it remains in the fluids excreted. In this way diabetics urine often a sweet, fruity fragrance. Excessively high blood sugar can also be a mystery to people who are thirsty frequently or go to the toilet more than usual.
In the case of women, unpleasant odors can also be caused by improper hygiene of intimate parts, e.g. frequent vaginal irrigations or the use of not very delicate, perfumed cosmetics. They can disturb the natural balance of the vaginal flora and allow harmful microorganisms to multiply. Additionally, women become more susceptible to fungal infections. This can also happen if there is an unpleasant smell in the bathroom. Due to the proximity of the vagina to the urethra, urine can absorb odors in and around the vagina
The influence of pregnancy on the smell of urine
A change in the smell of urine can indicate ovulation and even pregnancy in women. On the one hand, in such cases hormones can sensitize the sense of smell in many women, thanks to which they also better sense healthy urine. On the other hand, however Hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman affect not only the sense of smell, but also the smell of urine.