The color of normal urine varies from pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the amount of urochrome present and how diluted or concentrated the urine is.
Certain meals and drugs include pigments and other chemicals that can alter the color of your urine.
The foods that are most likely to change the hue include beets, berries, and fava beans. Many OTC and prescription drugs cause urine to have vibrant colors, such as red, yellow, or greenish blue.
The presence of an odd urine color can indicate the presence of an illness.
For example, porphyria, a rare, inherited condition of red blood cells, is distinguished by deep red to brown urine.
Symptoms
The color of normal urine fluctuates depending on how much water you consume. The yellow pigments in urine are diluted by fluids, thus the more you drink, the clearer your pee appears.
The hue grows more intensified as you drink less. Dehydration can cause urine to turn amber in hue.
Urine, on the other hand, can take on colors that are far from usual, such as red, blue, green, dark brown, and hazy white.
When should you see a doctor?
Seek medical help if you develop any of the following symptoms:
• You can see blood in your urine
Urinary tract infections and kidney stones are both known to cause bloody urine.
These issues are frequently painful. Painless bleeding could be a sign of something more serious, such as malignancy.
• Urine that is dark or orange in color
Your liver may be dysfunctional if your urine is dark or orange, especially if you also have pale stools and yellow skin and eyes.
Causes
Changes in urine color can, however, be caused by specific health issues in some situations.
The color categories are approximate since what you see as red may appear to someone else as orange.
Urine that is red or pink
Red urine, despite its startling color, isn’t always dangerous. Blood can result in red or pink urine.
Urine tract infections, an enlarged prostate, malignant and noncancerous tumors, kidney cysts, long-distance running, and kidney or bladder stones are all causes of urinary blood (hematuria).
• Foods
Urine can color crimson or pink if you eat beets, blackberries, or rhubarb.
• Medications
Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), an antibiotic commonly used to treat tuberculosis, as well as phenazopyridine (Pyridium),
a numbing agent for the urinary system, and senna-based laxatives, can cause urine to become reddish orange.
