By Medicover Hospitals
What is Reddish Discoloration of Urine?
The potential causes of the reddish urine discoloration were explored, including hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis. Some foods, vitamins, and other prescribed medications can also cause urine discoloration.
Urine contains excessive water and waste products that the kidney helps in filtering from the blood. The color will range from pale yellow to dark red, which depends on the ratio of water to water products. Change in urine color has a direct impact on health problems. Abnormal changes in urine color can be caused because of different medications, eating uncertain foods, and suffering from different medical conditions. If the urine color is changing abnormally, then you can directly consult your doctor for immediate recovery.
Causes
Dehydration
Discoloration of urine is a sign of dehydration and it occurs due to lack of water in the body. It can cause:
Old age people, children, and adults who have an illness or suffer from cancer are at high risk of facing dehydration.
Food, Drink, or Medication
Some foods and drinks can directly affect the color and smell of urine. Beets and blackberries can be the reason for a change in urine color.
Medications can also be the reason for changes in urine color:
- Chlorpromazine
- Thioridazine
- Rifampin
- Warfarin
- Chloroquine
- Metronidazole
Hemolytic Anemia
When the body destroys old and faulty red blood cells in the spleen, this process can be called hemolytic. The red blood cells are developed in the bone marrow. If the body destroys more numbers of red blood cells, then it might develop Hemolytic anemia. And this will lead to discoloration of urine. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia are:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria get in the bladder through the urethra. Mainly, women develop UTIs more than men. Most people know this disease as bladder infections or cystitis. Some symptoms that UTIs include are:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Joint Pain
- Fever
- Stomach Pain
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
Some of the underlying conditions that can cause discoloration in Urine are:
Sign
Here are some signs of discoloration of urine:
- Changes in the Urine color
- Foaming of urine
- Strong odor changes
- Pressure or pain in the abdomen
- Frequent urge for urinating
- Blood in urine
Diagnosis of reddish discoloration of urine
The doctor will ask you questions about the color of the urine. Some possible questions a Doctor may ask:
- From how many days you are facing discoloration in urine?
- Did you come across any unusual odors?
- Did you find blood coming from your urine?
The doctor will ask you about the symptoms you are getting or any pain you are facing while urinating. They will also ask about the medications that are taking. Depending on the symptoms and color of the urine, your doctor will ask you to go through various tests. During the test, they will collect your urine and check for any infections and abnormalities. The doctor will also ask you to do a blood test. Blood tests will help them in finding the problem in the liver and kidney.
Also, you have to go for an ultrasound of the urinary bladder and kidney. This imaging test uses sound waves for creating an image of the internal organs. If urinary tract stones are suspected, then your doctor would recommend you to go for an abdominal and pelvic CT scan.
Treatment
- People who are facing severe dehydration should go for rehydration therapy.
- Stop consuming foods that are causing discoloration in urination.
- Changing lifestyles can help in the control of symptoms.
- Doctors may suggest some antibiotics for treating UTIs.
When to visit a Doctor?
If there is a sudden change in the urine color that is not related to the food you've eaten or dehydration then, in this case you have to visit the doctor immediately. Most of the dark-colored urine is harmless but some may cause serious illness that may require treatment. The doctor will check the reason for the abnormal change in urine color.
If you find blood in your urine it's essential to visit the doctor immediately to avoid any medical emergency. Visit your doctor if you developed dark color urine with pale-colored stools or yellowish tinge in your skin and eyes.
Home Remedies of reddish discoloration of urine
As you get dehydrated, the urine becomes more concentrated and darker. If this happens, it may mean that you need more fluids. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids per day to stay hydrated and healthy.
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