Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon and past president of the Florida Urological Society for CNN has written an article in which he talks about subtle signs in urine that can tell a lot about our health. It's not just about emergencies, Brahmbhatt points out, but also about the color, clarity and smell of urine, factors that can reveal a lot about our health.
The color of urine varies from pale yellow to dark amber, mostly due to urochrome - a by-product of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. As these cells age, they break down and urochrome is formed. It is then filtered by the kidneys and this gives color to the urine. The intensity of the color is a direct reflection of one's hydration level. The more hydrated a person is, the lighter the color of urine.
What color is healthy urine?
Ideally, the urine should be very clear.
Drinking too much water can lead to overhydration, which dilutes vital electrolytes and can cause water poisoning: a rare but serious condition that dangerously lowers sodium levels in the blood. This risk is especially important for athletes and people who engage in long-term physical activity.
On the other hand, insufficient water intake poses a risk of dehydration, fatigue and lower cognitive and physical performance.
How much water should you drink per day?
While there's no one-size-fits-all recommendation, urologist Brahmbhatt says the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recommends about 3,7 liters of fluid a day for men and 2,7 liters for women. However, individual needs can vary widely depending on factors such as a person's weight, activity level and health.
About 30 milliliters of water per kilogram of body weight per day is recommended. If a person is more physically active or lives in a hot climate, they may need to increase their water intake by 500 to 1000 ml per day.
It is important to adapt the recommendations to specific health conditions. For example, patients with kidney stones may need more water because of the condition, while those with heart problems may need to limit their fluid intake.
Gender, age and health also play an important role in determining the right amount of water. Men tend to need more fluids than women because of their higher average body weight, while older adults have a reduced sense of thirst.
However, the best indicator of proper hydration is lack of thirst and light yellow urine.
What the color of urine tells us
Red or pink
Sometimes foods like beets and berries can turn urine red. But if you notice that your urine remains red or pink over time, it may mean that there is blood in it. Such a change should not be ignored and it is good to talk to a doctor because it can indicate the occurrence of bladder or kidney cancer, as well as benign conditions such as an enlarged prostate.
Dark brown or tea color
Urine that looks like tea, dark brown in color, can be a sign that you are not drinking enough water. If you've been drinking a lot of fluids and your urine is still dark, it could be a sign of liver problems or other health problems.
Blue or green
A blue or green color in the toilet bowl could be a real surprise, but this can also happen due to certain medications or food dyes.
Bright yellow
B vitamins can give urine a strong yellow tint. It's harmless, but it's a good reminder of how diet and supplements can affect bodily functions.
What does urine clarity say?
Cloudy urine can be a sign of infection or kidney problems.
Cloudy urine often goes away on its own, and it can also be a side effect of some medications.
What does the smell of urine say?
Urine usually has a mild odor, but a strong or unusual odor may indicate a problem. A strong smell of ammonia can indicate dehydration. An unpleasant or unusual smell can be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
Eating certain foods, especially those that are spicy or contain strong ingredients, can also affect the smell of urine.
Foods such as asparagus, coffee and some fish can produce a specific odor due to specific compounds that these foods contain, which are excreted in the urine.
If you notice changes in your urine that do not return to normal over time, it is a good idea to consult a doctor, reports Jutarnji list.
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