Strong Smelling Urine
Causes Of Strong Smelling Urine
If you have strong smelling urine, it could be caused by a number of different things. For most people, diet choices are to blame but there are some health concerns that can cause your urine to smell pungent as well. A healthy individual will not excrete urine with an offensive smell so do not dismiss this as not being a big deal if you are experiencing this condition. Your body could be telling you that you need to change your diet or that there is something a little more severe going on inside of you.
It is also important to note that strong smelling urine could be simply the result of medications, vitamin supplements and certain foods as well so there is also no reason to panic. Just because your urine smells different or appears a different color does not absolutely suggest an infection or disease.
Evaluating Your Urine
- Foul – If your urine is simply foul, this is typically a sign of infection either in your bladder or urinary tract.
- Musty – This strong smelling urine could signal metabolic disorders or liver disease.
- Sweet – Quite often, sweet selling urine is a symptom of diabetes. In very rare cases it can also be a sign of a metabolism disease.
- Ammonia – This smell is easily remedied as it is a way of your body telling you that you are dehydrated.
- Strong – If you simply have strong smelling urine that doesn't fall under any of these categories, it is probably a result of food or medications.
Strong Smell With Change Of Color
- Cloudy – If your urine is cloudy, rusty or muddy you probably have a bladder or urinary tract infection.
- Murky – This is usually caused by bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, fat, phosphates or epithelial cells.
- Clear or Dark Brown – If your urine is either clear or a dark brown shade, it often indicates cirrhosis, viral hepatitis or some other type of liver disease.
- Deep Red – A rusty or deep red color signifies rhabdomyolysis or hematuria.
- Pink – Strong smelling urine that is pink or smokey brown is often a result of either medications or consuming certain foods such a blackberries or beets. However, this can also be a symptom of cystitis, kidney cancer, enlarged prostate, tuberculosis, bladder tumor, kidney infection, kidney stones or kidney trauma.
- Orange or Dark Yellow – If your urine is dark yellow or orange, it could suggest pancreatic cancer but it could also be the result of carotene, B-complex vitamins or laxatives.
- Blue or Green – This is a result of artificial coloring either in drugs or food.
Diet Changes
It is always advised to see a physician if symptoms persist but if you feel your strong smelling urine is something temporary, it can often be remedied with diet changes.
- Fruit – Most fruits have a way of reducing the odor of bodily fluids. Always keep in mind that what you put in your body must come out. Therefore, if you are consuming more pungent foods than sweet ones (cake and cookies don't count), bodily fluids will take on the dominant smell. To make your urine smell better, eat a minimum of two servings of fruit per day.
- Water Intake – Your daily water intake can have a direct affect on the smell of your urine. While urine is primarily water, it also contains waste, minerals and salts. If your body is not hydrated properly, there are more waste solutes in your urine which causes it to become dark and smell foul. Take note, coffee, soda and sugary juice does not count as water!
- Avoid Pungent Foods – There are a variety of foods that can have an impact on the smell of your urine. Foods to avoid are asparagus, onion, garlic, fish, eggs and alcohol. Often cutting back on these foods will remedy the problem quite quickly.