Urine Colour Chart: What the Shade of Your Pee Reveals About Your Health
The first thing we often do in the morning as soon as we wake up is check our phones, but hardly ever remember to check something our body shows us every day which is our urine. As odd as it might seem, that quick look into the toilet bowl can really provide strong indicators of what is happening within. From proper hydration to initial indicators of liver or kidney issues, urine colour is an innate health gauge most of us ignore.
In an exclusive interaction with TheHealthSite.com, Dr Sanjay Garg, Consultant - Urology and Andrology, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, explained how changes in urine colour can be early indicators of dehydration, infections, liver or kidney issues, and why it is important not to overlook these subtle signals from your body.
Urine naturally contains a pigment called urochrome, which gives it the familiar yellow tint. The colour usually depends on how much water one consumes, but sometimes, it can say more:
This means that you are well-hydrated or maybe a little too much. Drinking excess water may flush out important salts your body needs.
This is usually an indication that you must consume more water. If you've been neglecting drinking, this colour is a reminder from your body.
This colour is sometimes noticed when liver function is out of balance or if the bile juice is not being properly processed. Some medications or vitamin supplements might also create this colour.
This colour appears when you consume too many berries or beetroots and is usually harmless. But, if it is not due to food, and if blood may be present, immediate consultation is advised.
This colour is extremely rare, but is sometimes caused due to certain medications or dyes used in food. In some cases, though, it can be related to a genetic disease or infection.
This colour could indicate a urinary tract infection or excess protein, which may be an indication of kidney strain.
A fleeting change in colour following a meal or the ingestion of supplements is not something to worry about. But if the colour persists for longer than a day or two particularly if there is pain, odour, or weakness it's advisable to consult a medical specialist. A plain urine test will detect early warning signs before they are dangerous.
How to keep your body on the right track to stay healthy, and keep your urine in a healthy condition as well? Here are the top 5 things to keep in mind to keep your urine healthy:
In the rush of life, it's easy to miss what appears unimportant. Yet listening to your body's signals, particularly something as routine as urine can maintain your health. Even, the tiniest indications can prevent the largest consequences.
