Page 25 - Seniorstoday July-2023 Issue

hydrated. Certain foods and medicines can to urine.
change that.
1.Clear – could indicate overhydration, or
even liver disease.
2.Cloudy urine - Medical conditions like
urinary tract infection, some chronic
diseases and kidney conditions can result
in cloudy urine. In some cases, cloudy urine
is another sign of being dehydrated. If you
have cloudy urine and you’re pregnant, it
could be a sign of a dangerous condition
called preeclampsia. Cloudy urine with
foam or bubbles (pneumaturia) can be a
symptom of serious health conditions,
including Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis.
3. Pink/ red – Foods like beet, medicines
such as laxatives or rifampicin (treatment
for tuberculosis) cause urine to run red.
Hematuria (blood in urine), observed in
case of renal calculi, severe UTIs or cancers,
can cause the reddish hue too.
4. Orange – dehydration, chemotherapy
drugs, jaundice, can all cause orange urine.
5. Brown – Usually an indicator of
dehydration. Medical conditions like
porphyria or liver disease can also result in
brown colored urine. Certain medications
like metronidazole, certain foods like flava
beans can give urine a brown color.
6. Blue/ green – it’s rare and usually food
related- some food dyes, some medicines,
multi vitamins.
ODOUR – Urine usually has a very
distinct, but mild odor, imparted by the
amount and type of toxins excreted in it.
Any change in the smell of urine can be
indicative of a serious disease.
1. A strong ammonia like odor means urine
which is highly concentrated with waste.
2. A sweet or fruity smell could mean
diabetes, a bacterial infection or presence of
amino acids. Portal hypertension, a result
of liver disease, also gives a sweetish smell
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #49 | JULY 2023
URINE TEMPERATURE- Urine, on
expulsion, usually feels warm. Excessively
warm or hot urine could be a sign of an
infection.
In women, warm urine could indicate
vaginal infections, post pregnancy injury,
STD.
In men, it could be a sign of prostatitis,
injuries to urethra, STD, UTI.
Improve your Urological Health
It is important that we treat any disease
that cause urinary complaints, as well
as take steps to improve and maintain
urological health.
Medication: Most diseases respond to
medication such as anti-biotics, diuretics
and NSAIDs. Do not hesitate to take
medicines s prescribed.
Surgery: Some conditions, such as
strictures or Calculi, need surgery as part of
complete treatment.
Dietary changes - A healthy diet and fluid
intake go a long way towards maintaining
the urinary system -
1. Staying hydrated – 1.5 to 2.5 liters of
water a day is the recommended quantity
for a healthy urinary flow.
2. Staying within a healthy weight range
(avoid obesity) – Obesity can increase the
intra-abdominal pressure, causing stress
and urge incontinence.
3. Smoke-free lifestyle – Besides causing
one to cough, which often results in urine
25