Health Check:

What your pee is telling you

Sometimes it's surprising how unexpected simple things can tell us a lot about our state of health. Take for example the colour of urine - colour changes in urine can be an early indicator of potential health problems. How often do you sneak a peek at your urine? If you are like most people, you probably don't bother, right?

During your lifetime, your kidneys will work very hard to filter over one million gallons of water. Urine is about 95 percent water and 5 percent uric acid, the stuff that your body does not need - including minerals, enzymes and salts that are dangerous if they accumulate in your body.

Urine can fluctuate in colour and odour depending on what you are eating and drinking, how active you are, the time of day, or what supplements you are taking. However, urine colour and odour can also be an indication of something more serious.

Here is a quick pee primer to fill you in on what you should look for and what your urine may be telling you.

Super clear or transparent

If your urine is super clear, it may mean you are drinking too many fluids. Be careful not to over-hydrate. The best rule of thumb is to aim for half of your body weight in ounces each day. This means, if your weight is 120 pounds, you should be drinking 60 ounces of water per day. More serious conditions, such as acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis, can also cause your pee to turn very clear. However, you will also have other symptoms, such as skin yellowing, nausea or vomiting with these conditions.

Dark yellow coloured

Urine that is dark yellow in colour is still considered within a normal range for healthy individuals. However, it also likely indicates you may not be as hydrated as you should be.

Honey or amber coloured

These darker, orange hues are usually a good indicator that you are becoming dehydrated. It is best to increase your water intake and then check to see if the colour returns to a normal yellow range. When combined with pale-coloured stools, orange urine may be an indication of liver problems.

Neon yellow coloured

Glowing yellow urine may be the result of excess vitamins that are not being absorbed by your body. It is best to eat a diet loaded with whole foods and stick to whole food supplements that your body can absorb.

Light to dark orange coloured

This is a somewhat ambiguous colour because it could mean something or nothing. This tint can be caused from food dyes, dehydration, or actual health problems with your bile duct or liver. It is always best to check with a physician.

Brown or cola-coloured

This colour is a possible sign of serious dehydration or even possible liver disease. Immediately increase your water intake and check to see if the colour lightens. If this darkened coloration persists, you should follow up with your physician.

Light pink to darker red coloured

This is hard to interpret. Many foods can cause urine discoloration, such as beets and blueberries. Medications can also contain dyes and compounds that can change the colour of your urine. However, it might indicate the presence of blood in the urine, but many times blood in the urine is not visible to the naked eye. There are a number of possible causes that would lead to blood in the urine, like kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and prostate issues. It is always best to consult with your physician to be sure.

Other considerations

Besides colour, it is a good idea to pay careful attention to other urine abnormalities including the following:

Cloudy urine

If you are having low back pain, lower abdomen pain, or urinary urgency combined with cloudy urine, see a physician. Cloudy urine may also be the result of kidney stones, generally accompanied by great pain.

Fizzy or foamy urine

Besides the colour, it's important to take notice if your urine appears to be fizzy or foamy. If this only happens on rare occasions then it is likely just a benign cause. If it is occurring regularly, it may be indicating possible high levels of protein in the urine. When in doubt, it is best to get it checked out.

Other reasons for a change in urine odour include the following:

• Medications and supplements - some may change the colour of urine.

• Diet - certain foods, such as asparagus, cause urine to smell foul.

• Diabetes - can cause urine to smell fruity or yeasty.

The most important thing to remember when checking your urine colour is that it can change to a myriad of colours due to a number of factors. Just knowing what normal urine should look and smell like provides a useful measuring tool. See a physician if your urine changes colour and the colour persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Though it may sound a little strange, paying attention to the colour of your urine may be a warning sign to catch early health problems.

- The Alternative Daily