What the Colour of Your Urine Says About Your Health

Urine Colour and What It Reveals About Your Health

Urine is the body’s way of eliminating waste through a fluid that mainly contains water, urea, uric acid, and other filtered substances. Produced by the kidneys, urine travels to the bladder for storage and exits the body through the urethra when passed. While it primarily serves to remove waste, the appearance of urine, particularly its colour, can reflect aspects of your health and hydration.

Normal Colour and Variations

Healthy urine typically ranges from pale straw to light yellow, depending largely on fluid intake. Increased water consumption dilutes the pigment urochrome, resulting in clearer urine. On the other hand, dehydration deepens the yellow tone.

Urine may also appear in unusual colours such as:

•Red

•Orange

•Blue

•Green

•Dark brown

•Cloudy white

Red or Pink Urine

Not all red urine signals danger. It may result from the presence of blood due to conditions like kidney stones, benign tumors, bladder or kidney cysts, or even certain cancers. Intense physical activity, especially long-distance running, can also trigger blood in the urine. Foods such as beets, blackberries, and rhubarb, as well as medications like rifampin and phenazopyridine, can give urine a reddish or pink tint.

Orange Urine

This may stem from medications including phenazopyridine, some constipation remedies, or chemotherapy drugs. High doses of vitamin A or B12 and dehydration may also produce an orange appearance.

Blue or Green Urine

Unusual but possible, blue or green urine can be caused by food dyes, medical dyes, or certain medications such as amitriptyline, cimetidine, triamterene, and propofol. Some bacterial infections in the urinary tract and a rare inherited condition (familial benign hypercalcemia) in children may also result in these colours.

Dark Brown or Cola-Coloured Urine

Dark urine can indicate a range of issues, from consuming fava beans, rhubarb, or aloe to taking specific drugs like chloroquine, primaquine, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, or statins. Liver and kidney disorders, urinary tract infections, internal bleeding, porphyria, or muscle breakdown from extreme exercise can also darken urine significantly.

Cloudy or Murky Urine

Cloudiness may point to a urinary tract infection or the presence of kidney stones.

Factors That May Increase Risk

Age: Bladder and kidney tumors are more common in older adults, particularly men with enlarged prostates.

Family History: A genetic predisposition to kidney disease or kidney stones increases the likelihood of such conditions.

Strenuous Exercise: Endurance athletes may occasionally experience blood in the urine after intense activity.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Dr. Okyere advises that any noticeable change in the colour or clarity of your urine should not be ignored. If the change persists or is accompanied by discomfort or other symptoms, it is best to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any serious health concerns.

Mustapha Bature Sallama

Medical/Science Communicator

mustysallama@gmail.com