It’s not exactly a polite dinner table conversation, but it’s about time we all felt more comfortable about pee and poop. As mentioned in our guide to bowel frequency, the frequency, amount, and composition of your bowel movements can tell you a lot about your overall health, according to doctors.

The same applies to urine. Rather than immediately flushing the water and rushing through the rest of the day, it’s wise to take a peek inside the toilet.

“Monitoring the color of your urine can provide valuable insight into your hydration levels and potential health problems,” says Stoney, a member of the American Urological Association and associate professor of urology. says Dr. Jason Kim, director of the Pelvic Health and Continence Center. Brooke University Medical Center in Stony Brook, New York.

Now we will talk about what a healthy person’s pee should and should not be like. Plus, we’ll discuss lifestyle habits you can start today to achieve or maintain the “right” pee color, and reveal signs your pee color may be a red flag and you should seek medical attention. Masu.

What color should pee be?

Your pee should look like slightly diluted lemonade or something lighter.

The color of “healthy” or “normal” urine can vary depending on factors such as hydration, diet, and certain medications, Kim says. But as a general rule, clear to pale yellow urine is ideal, says Dr. Amberly Davidson, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at HerMD in Cincinnati.

Kim agrees that your urine is light in color, saying, “This color indicates a healthy balance of water and waste products in your body.”

What factors affect the color of your pee?

In case you’re curious, the color of your pee is primarily influenced by the presence of a pigment called urochrome (also known as urobilin), a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin from old red blood cells, according to the American Chemical Society. receive.

The most common reason why your urine changes color is due to your hydration level. “If you’re well-hydrated, your urine tends to be dilute, making it a brighter, pale yellow color. If you’re dehydrated, your urine can be darker in color, which is because waste products are more concentrated.” “It shows that it’s being done,” Kim explains. Dehydration can cause your urine to turn from yellow to amber in color, he says.

So, how much water is enough? According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, ideally, men should consume 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of water per day, and women should consume 2.7 liters (125 ounces) of water per day through a combination of hydration and hydrating foods. You should aim for liters (91 ounces) of water.

Besides water intake, other details can affect the color of your pee, including:

• food. Eating beets can make your urine reddish or pink due to pigments called betalains. Asparagus can give your urine a strong odor, which can make your pee appear green in some people, Kim explains.
• supplement. Some multivitamins contain high amounts of B vitamins, especially riboflavin (vitamin B2), which can turn your urine bright yellow, Kim says. So it’s no surprise that vitamin B supplements have the same effect. Additionally, “herbal supplements such as cascara and senna, which are commonly used for digestive health, can cause your urine to turn brown or red,” says Kim.
• medical condition. In a urinary tract infection, the urine may be cloudy, dark, or even bloody because it contains bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Liver or kidney problems can also cause changes in urine color, Kim added. (For example, in liver disorders, the presence of bilirubin may cause urine to turn dark or brown, whereas in kidney disorders, blood and proteins may be present in the urine.)
• medicine. If you recently took a new medication or had a medical procedure and noticed a change in the color of your urine, that medication may be to blame. Let me give you some examples. According to Kim, taking antibiotics like nitrofurantoin (used to treat urinary tract infections) can cause your pee to turn dark yellow or brown. Propofol, a drug used during anesthesia, can turn urine a variety of colors, including white and pink, Davidson added. Taking amitriptyline, an antidepressant, can also turn your urine green, she says.

How to know the “correct” color of pee

If you notice your pee is darker than the ideal pale yellow, Kim suggests making the following lifestyle adjustments.

• Drink lots of water. “It’s important to stay hydrated to maintain a healthy urine color,” recommends Kim.
• Limit alcohol and moderate caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine both act as diuretics, leading to frequent urination. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, water loss after drinking can cause mild dehydration (and a hangover). Drinking coffee is less likely to cause dehydration. This is because the fluid itself created by drinking coffee tends to offset the increased urination. Still, it’s important to consume Java in moderation.
• Avoid certain foods and drinks. Or at least keep in mind the expected aroma and color changes from beets, asparagus, and synthetic food coloring, and watch your pee return to normal within about 48 hours.
• Monitor your medications. As mentioned above, certain medications can affect the color of your urine. If you’re taking over-the-counter or prescription medications and notice a change in the color of your pee, talk to your health care provider to determine if your medication regimen needs adjusting, Kim advises. Masu.
• Please practice good hygiene. ““Maintaining good hygiene, including regular bathing and genital care, can help prevent urinary tract infections and other conditions that can affect the color and odor of your urine,” says Kim. says Mr.

Above all, get into the habit of checking the color of your urine regularly. If you notice that your pee is consistently dark despite your efforts to stay hydrated, it may be a sign of dehydration or an underlying health problem that requires medical attention.

Colors that urine should not be in

It’s important to be careful with your pee. “Unusual urine color can be a sign of a health problem,” says Davidson. Here’s what to look for and what it might indicate.

• Dark yellow or amber pee: dehydration.
• Red or pink pee: Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, can be caused by a variety of factors, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and bladder or kidney infections, Kim said, according to Penn Medicine. Red can also indicate more serious conditions, such as kidney disease or cancer, he added.
• Brown or dark colored pee: Liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, or conditions that affect the kidneys. “This can also be caused by certain medications, strenuous exercise, and eating certain foods,” Kim added.
• Black pee: Very dark urine, almost black, can be a sign of infection, kidney stones, kidney damage, muscle damage, or in rare cases, metastatic melanoma, says Davidson.
• Cloudy or cloudy pee: This is often associated with the presence of bacteria, white blood cells, or other substances in the urine, suggesting a possible urinary tract infection or kidney stones. It can also be caused by certain medical conditions or dietary factors.
• Foamy pee: “Some amount of foaming or foaming in the urine is normal, but persistent foamy urine may indicate the presence of protein in the urine, known as proteinuria. Proteinuria can be caused by kidney disease or other conditions. can be a sign of an underlying disease,” says Kim.

When to talk to your doctor about the color of your urine

If your pee color consistently deviates from its usual pale yellow color without an obvious cause, talk to your GP to rule out any underlying health concerns and recommend a referral to a urologist. Check to see if you need it, says Kim. This is especially important if you have a personal or family history of kidney disease, liver disease, or urinary tract infections.

If a color change occurs at the same time as any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

• abdominal pain
• difficulty urinating
• dizzy
• extreme thirst
• Very infrequent urination
• odors, dirt, particles
• pain or burning sensation while urinating
• fever or chills
• nausea and vomiting
• emergency
• urinary blockage
• unable to empty bladder
• problems with bladder control

All in all, if you’re not sure whether a change in urine color warrants medical attention, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult a medical professional, Kim says. “A doctor can assess your symptoms, perform necessary tests if necessary, and provide appropriate guidance and treatment based on your individual situation. Detecting underlying health conditions early. Detecting and treating it can help prevent complications and promote overall health,” he explains.

conclusion

“Normal” pee color should be clear to pale yellow. Think slightly diluted lemonade or lighter. Certain medications and medical conditions, as well as some foods and supplements, can affect the color of your pee. If it’s dark yellow or amber in color, and this color change isn’t accompanied by other symptoms, you’re probably just dehydrated. Try to drink more water and monitor your urine over the next few days.

See your doctor as soon as possible if your urine is red, pink, brown, black, cloudy, cloudy, or frothy, especially if it lasts for more than a day and is accompanied by other physical symptoms. Please contact us to determine the root cause. , infectious diseases, etc.