The Color of Good Health

By Lisa D. Ellis

You may change the color of your lipstick and of your clothes on a regular basis, depending on your preferences and your mood. But did you know that the color of your urine can also change? Just as what you are wearing sends messages about how you are feeling emotionally, the experts say when your urine changes shades, this can sometimes offer meaningful clues to the state of your health and your physical circumstances.

Some Variations are Normal

Throughout a typical day, the color of your urine can range from a very pale yellow to a deeper amber shade. These slight variations can be perfectly normal, often caused by how much water or fluid you’ve had to drink recently, as well as by certain dyes and pigments in the foods you eat and vitamins you take. Therefore, the most subtle changes often don’t really mean anything.

The Color Code Translated

But when the color heats up and takes on more unexpected shades, you may want to sit up and take notice. Here are some common urine colors and what they can indicate.

Colorless: You may notice that your urine looks almost clear. If this is the case, it probably just means that you’ve had a lot of liquid to drink.

Yellow: Your urine may take on a deep yellow shade if you’ve been sweating a lot or are dehydrated, or it could be a sign that your liver is out of sync.

Orange: If your urine takes on a pumpkin-colored hue, this could mean either that you’ve been snacking on large supplies of carrots or carrot juice, or it could indicate that you have an excess of Vitamin C in your system.

Brown: When your urine turns brown, it could be because you’ve recently eaten beans or used a laxative. When these two causes are lacking, though, you should check with your doctor to rule out any serious ailments, such as liver disease, hepatitis and cancer.

Green: If you notice a green tint to your urine, taking a new medication could be to blame. Or, you could have a urinary tract infection, bile issues or an excess of Vitamin B in your system.

Blue: When you find your urine has a decidedly blue tone, this could be the result of a bacterial infection or it could be a sign that you have too much calcium.

Red: Red urine can be caused by eating beets, rhubarb, blackberries and certain red candies and foods containing reddish dyes. It could also be caused by a bladder infection, kidney or bladder stones or a variety of other more serious conditions.

Signs of an Infection

It is also important to note that when urine changes are caused by a urinary tract or kidney infection, along with the more colorful display, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

An overwhelming urge to relieve yourself frequently

Pain when you urinate

Fever

Waves of abdominal pain

A strong odor to your urine

Urine that has a milky or cloudy appearance

When you have these or any other worrisome symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

In addition, if you have color changes that don’t seem to resolve quickly, you should be evaluated by your doctor to rule out any health complications or vitamin deficiencies.