Are you worried about your Urine Odour?
If you are drinking plenty of fluids and have ruled out dehydration as the cause of the strong odour, then it may be caused by food that you consume. Certain foods, like garlic or asparagus contain chemicals that smell very distinctive when excreted in the urine. While smelly, these chemicals have no adverse effects on your health. Even certain vitamins like B6 if taken in excess can cause a strong smell. If you do not believe that the odour has been caused by any of the previous scenarios it is possible that there is an underlying medical condition responsible. Conditions that may affect the smell of urine include cystitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, gastro-intestinal fistula, maple syrup urinary disease, metabolic disorders, urinary tract infection or type 2 diabetes.
If you are experiencing an abnormal change in the smell of your urine, there are some simple steps you can take to help your urine return to normal. Check the list below to see what you can do.
- Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body
- Remember to increase your fluid intake if you are exercising or it is a hot day
- Avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine, or alcohol as these can contribute to dehydration
- Avoid garlic or asparagus, they both contain chemicals that are passed through the urine
- Reduce your B6 intake so that you are not exceeding 10MG per day.
Strong smelling urine is not usually a sign of serious illness and in most situations, it will usually return to normal within a few weeks without any need for further treatments. However, in some cases it could be a sign of an underlying condition. If you have experienced additional symptoms such as those listed below, if would be advisable to seek further advice from a doctor.
- If you feel the need to urinate suddenly or are urinating more frequently than usual
- The urine odour is accompanied by additional symptoms like a burning sensation when you urinate
- If the urine you pass looks cloudy
- If you have had the symptoms for more than two weeks
- If you have already tried to alleviate symptoms with the tips in the previous section but your symptoms have persisted
- Your urinary symptoms are accompanied by fever, sweats or abdominal pain.
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
- Dehydration
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Gastrointestinal
- Maple syrup urine disease
- Metabolic disorder
- Type 2 diabetes (uncontrolled)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Should I go to the doctor if my urine smells?
Urine odour is not usually something to be concerned about however, many people suffer with are unsure what has caused it. With some changes to your diet and by following our suggestions you may notice a change in smell. If you feel your suffering and need advice speak to a doctor especially if you notice any of the following:
- Peeing more than usual
- Cloudy appearance
- Pain or burning feeling when peeing
Can smelly urine be serious?
For most people smelling is not serious but it can be serious if you notice the following:
- Blood in urine
- Pain in stomach or back
- High or low temperature
- Feelings of confusion
- Feeling unwell
Urine odour may be a cause of a more serious including:
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Cystitis
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Gastrointestinal