Which means dark, green, whitish, brown or orange urine

The color of the urine may change due to the ingestion of certain foods or medications and, therefore, in most cases it is not a warning sign.

However, the change in color can also indicate some health problems, such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones or inflammation of the liver, which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as strong-smelling urine, burning when urinating or abdominal pain, for example. example. See what may be making the urine dark and smelling strong.

What is the normal color of urine

The normal color of the urine should ideally be yellow or light yellow, so if it is changed for more than 3 days it is recommended to go to the general practitioner to order a urine test, diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

Major changes in urine color

The most common changes in urine color are:

1. Dark yellow urine

Dark yellow urine is one of the most common changes and is usually a sign of dehydration, due to low water intake. However, when the dark urine remains for a long time, it can be a sign of liver problems that cause the accumulation of bilirubin, leaving the urine an almost brown color.

What to do: in these cases it is recommended to increase your daily water intake and, if you stay for more than 3 days, it is important to see a general practitioner.

2. Orange urine

Orange urine may arise due to overeating of foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots, papayas or squashes, or medicines like Phenazopyridine or Rifampicin. In addition, the color orange can also happen in the case of diseases in the liver and bile ducts, especially when accompanied by white or light stools. Dehydration can also cause urine to turn orange.

What to do: Avoid eating foods rich in excess beta-carotene. However, if the change continues or if you are undergoing treatment with the remedies listed above, it is advisable to consult your general practitioner to initiate appropriate treatment. See a more complete list of foods to avoid.

3. Red or pink urine

The red or pink coloration is usually caused by the presence of blood in the urine and, therefore, can be a sign of urinary tract infection, kidney stones or kidney problems, prostate growth, tumors, kidney cyst or in people who walk or run long, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain when urinating or fever.

However, the red color can also be caused by the consumption of red foods such as beets or products with red coloring. Find out more about when there is really blood in the urine and what to do.

Some medications can also make urine red or pink, as in the case of Rifampicin and Phenazopyridine.

What to do: if you have eaten red food, you should avoid eating it to assess whether the urine returns to normal. In other cases, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner to diagnose the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.

If it is caused by the use of medications, it is advisable to inform the doctor who prescribed the medication so that the possibility of changing the medication is evaluated.

4. Purple urine

Purple urine is an alteration that appears only in some patients with a bladder probe due to the transformation of some pigments by bacteria found in the tube of the probe. See how to avoid this change and properly take care of the probe.

There is also a rare condition called Purple Urine Bag Syndrome, which is more common in older women who have a permanent or long-lasting bladder catheter, for example.

What to do: In these cases it is recommended to consult the general practitioner or a urologist because it may be necessary to start treatment with antibiotics.

5. Blue urine

Blue urine is usually caused by blue dyes or the use of methylene blue contrast, which is widely used in CT scans, liver surgery, such as ERCP or medicines like Sepurin, for example.

In addition, it can be caused by some other remedies, such as Amitriptyline, Indomethacin and Sildenafil, which is marketed under the name Viagra.

What to do: it is a normal change in urine that usually disappears within 24 hours after using the contrast.

6. Green urine

Green urine is not a serious condition, it is mainly caused by eating food, artificial colors, medicines, such as Amitriptyline, or by using contrast in some diagnostic tests. Learn more about the causes of green urine.

Some infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas , and the presence of bladder fistula in the intestine, in which bile is released, can also turn urine green.

What to do: Eliminate very green foods or products that may contain food coloring from food. However, if the problem persists for more than 2 days, it is advisable to go to the general practitioner to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

7. Brown urine

Brown urine, or very dark, is usually a sign of severe dehydration, however, it can also indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, for example. In addition, some medications like Methyldopa or Argirol can darken your urine. Check when dark urine can be severe.

Likewise, the excess of some foods can also make the urine dark, as is the case of fava beans, for example.

What to do: In these cases it is recommended to increase your water intake and, if the change continues, consult a urologist or general practitioner to identify the cause of the problem and start the appropriate treatment.

In case it is caused by food or medication, it is advisable to consult the doctor so that the treatment is changed or the nutritionist to make a change in the diet.

8. Whitish urine

Whitish urine, also known as albuminuria, can be caused by the presence of severe urinary infection, usually accompanied by burning when urinating and fever. In addition, whitish urine can also be caused by a lymphatic fistula that arises especially in cases of neoplasia or abdominal trauma.

What to do: It is advisable to consult a general practitioner to have a urine test and identify the problem in order to start the appropriate treatment.