- By Prerna Targhotra
- Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Urine odour can often provide insights into your health. Normally, urine has a slight smell or may have no noticeable odour at all. However, certain factors such as food, medications, dehydration and infections can alter the odour, sometimes indicating potential health issues like an Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
Common symptoms of urinary tract infections include pain in your flank, abdomen, pelvic area or lower back, pressure in the lower part of your pelvis, cloudy, foul-smelling pee, urinary incontinence, frequent urination, urge incontinence, pain when you pee (dysuria) and blood in your pee (hematuria). According to Mayo Clinic, the complications of UTI may include:
- Repeated infections, which means you have two or more UTIs within six months or three or more within a year. Women are especially prone to having repeated infections.
- Permanent kidney damage from a kidney infection due to an untreated UTI.
- Delivering a low birth weight or premature infant when a UTI occurs during pregnancy.
- A narrowed urethra in men from having repeated infections of the urethra.
- Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. This is a risk especially if the infection travels up the urinary tract to the kidneys.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Gopal Ramdas Tak, Consultant Urologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology, Hyderabad explained how one can understand their urine odour and identify urinary tract infections.
Common Causes Of Urine Odour
1. Diet: Foods like asparagus, coffee, and garlic can cause temporary strong odours in urine. This usually clears up after a few hours or once these foods are fully processed by the body.
2. Dehydration: When the body lacks enough water, urine becomes concentrated, and this can lead to a stronger ammonia-like smell.
3. Medications and Supplements: Vitamins (especially B vitamins) and certain medications can affect the odour and colour of urine.
Urine Odour And Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Infections (Image Credits: Canva)
A common indicator of a UTI is a distinct and unpleasant change in urine odour. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. This often leads to a strong, foul, or sometimes fishy odour in urine. Along with odour, there are other signs of a UTI to watch for, including:
- Burning Sensation: Pain or discomfort during urination.
- Frequent Urination: Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual, even with small amounts.
- Cloudy or Bloody Urine: Urine may appear murky or have traces of blood.
- Pelvic Pain: Some people may experience lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort.
When To Seek Medical Help
If you notice a persistent strong or unusual odour in your urine, especially if accompanied by other UTI symptoms like pain, frequent urination, or cloudy appearance, it’s essential to seek medical attention. UTIs are more common in women but can affect men and children as well. Left untreated, they can lead to kidney infections or more serious health problems.