What your pee says about your health

You may be familiar with the correlation between dehydration and darker or smellier than usual pee, but taking a closer look at your urine could provide other clues about your health.

Diet can impact minor changes in the color and smell of your pee, but Dr. Matthew Meadows, a urologist at Advocate Health Care, says there are a few more serious things to watch out for:

Changes in color

Cloudy urine can be associated with infection or inflammation. Red or bloody urine is never normal. Seek medical attention if this occurs. Certain medications can also change the color of your urine. Tell your health care provider if you notice a significant change.

Changes in smell

Some very rare medical conditions in children can lead to unusual urine smells. More commonly, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can make your urine smell foul.

Frequency of urination

How frequently you urinate can be associated with potential medical issues. Some of the most common conditions that can manifest as frequent urination include poorly controlled diabetes or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), otherwise known as an enlarged prostate. Some neurologic conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, a history of stroke or spinal cord injury, can also manifest in frequent urination.

Dr. Meadows recommends contacting your health care provider if you:

• See blood in your urine
• Feel pain when urinating
• Experience any bothersome change in your urinary pattern

“Patterns of urination in both men and women change as you age, and although these changes are common, there are treatments that can help,” Dr. Meadows says. “Don’t feel like this is something you just have to live with; if it is bothersome when you urinate, or if urination issues are keeping you from doing what you enjoy, you should see a health care provider.”

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