Common urinary changes are related to different components of urine, such as color, odor and the presence of substances such as proteins, glucose, hemoglobin or leukocytes, for example.
Changes in urine are usually identified in the urine test result requested by your doctor, but they can also be noticed at home, especially when they cause color and odor changes or cause symptoms such as pain when urinating and excessive urination.
- In all cases.
- Whenever there are changes in urine.
- It is recommended to increase water consumption during the day or consult a urologist if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours.
Changes in urine color are often caused by the amount of water ingested, that is, when you drink more water during the day, urine is lighter, while when you drink little water, urine is darker. Foods can also change the color of your urine, making it pink, red, or green, for example. Read more: What can change the color of your urine.
What to do: It is recommended to increase daily water consumption to at least 1. 5 liters and consult a urologist if the color of the urine does not return to normal after 24 hours.
Changes in the smell of urine are very common in case of urinary tract infection, causing bad odor when urinating, as well as frequent burns or urges to urinate; However, diabetic patients may experience normal elevations in the smell of urine due to excess. Sugar in the urine. Discover other causes of strong-smelling urine in Knowing What Strong-Smelling Urine Means.
What to do: It is important to consult a family doctor or urologist for a uroculture and identify if there are bacteria in your urine that can cause a urinary tract infection. See how treatment is performed on: Treatment of urinary tract infections.
Changes in the amount of urine are usually related to water consumption, so when the amount is lower it means you drink little water during the day, for example; however, changes in the amount of urine can also indicate health problems such as diabetes. , kidney failure or anemia.
What to do: Water consumption should be increased if the amount of urine has decreased, but if the problem persists, a urologist or nephrologist should be consulted to diagnose the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.
The presence of proteins is one of the main changes in urine during pregnancy due to increased workload of the kidneys. However, in other situations, it can be a sign of kidney problems, such as kidney failure or infection, for example.
What to do: You should consult a urologist for other tests, such as a blood test, urine culture, or ultrasound, to diagnose the causes of protein in your urine and begin proper treatment.
Generally, the presence of glucose in the urine occurs when the blood sugar level is very high, such as during a diabetes attack or after eating many sweets, for example; However, this can also occur when there is a kidney problem.
What to do: It’s important to see a family doctor to control your blood sugar, as this can be a sign of diabetes if you haven’t already been diagnosed.
The presence of hemoglobin in the urine, also known as blood in the urine, usually occurs due to kidney or urinary tract problems, such as urinary tract infection or kidney stones; In these cases, pain and burns when urinating are also common. Causes in: Urine with blood.
What to do: A urologist should be consulted to identify the cause of blood in your urine and initiate appropriate treatment.
The existence of leukocytes in the urine is a sign of urinary tract infection, even if the patient has no symptoms, such as fever or pain when urinating.
What to do: You should consult your urologist to start treating a urinary tract infection with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin, for example.
It is recommended to consult a urologist when
To identify the cause of changes in your urine, your doctor may order diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or cystoscopy.
See also: What can cause sparkling urine.