Urine color can provide valuable information about a person’s health. While urine is typically pale yellow, there are times when it can change color, indicating underlying health problems. Understanding what causes urine color change can help you determine when to seek medical attention.
Here are some of the most common causes of urine color change:
Dehydration: When the body is dehydrated, urine becomes more concentrated, causing it to appear darker in color.
Medications: Certain medications can affect the color of urine. For example, taking B vitamins or antibiotics may turn urine bright yellow or greenish.
Food and drink: Foods and beverages such as beets, blackberries, and artificial food dyes can turn urine pink, red, or purple.
Liver or bile duct problems: Liver disease or bile duct obstruction can cause bile pigments to appear in the urine, turning it dark brown.
Urinary tract infections: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
Kidney problems: Kidney stones, kidney disease, or injury can cause blood to appear in urine, turning it pink, red, or brown.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women may experience changes in urine color due to hormonal changes or dehydration.
Genetics: Some people may naturally have urine that is darker in color due to genetics.
If you notice a change in urine color that lasts more than a day or two, or if you have other symptoms such as pain or fever, it is important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can also help maintain healthy urine color.