Causes and risk factors
Urine gets its colour from the pigment known as ‘urochrome’. It can be pale to deep amber coloured depending upon the concentration of urine. Lower water intake makes the urine less diluted causing excretion of darker urine. Abnormal colours of urine are seen due to some underlying disease and infections such as haemolytic anaemia, porphyria, jaundice, acute viral hepatitis, kidney tumours, prostatic troubles, kidney stones and urinary tract infection. Certain foods like beet root, artificial food colours, also change the urine colour. Injury to the urinary organs, during strenuous physical activities, exercise, certain surgeries cause blood in urine [heamaturia]. Certain medications such as heavy antibiotics, drugs, vitamins also change the urine colour.
Clinical presentation
Different colours of urine are seen in different conditions. No colour or transparent urine colour suggests that the patient is drinking excessively large amount of water. Transparent yellow or pale straw coloured urine is a normal sign. Dark urine is suggestive of limited water intake. Amber or honey coloured urine is diagnostic of lack of water intake. Brown coloured urine is suggestive of underlying liver disease. Kidney disease, renal calculi, UTI, kidney tumours, prostatic troubles, lead or mercury poisoning give pink or bloody red colour to urine. Fluorescent green or blue urine is formed due to certain medicines; excess carrots, certain food dyes or liver and bile duct diseases make the urine orange, certain vitamins make it yellow; disease known as porphyria can cause urine colour to change to that of port wine. Foamy urine is suggestive of kidney disease or excess proteins in urine.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Along with urine colour, urine odour and consistency should also be investigated. Diagnosis is confirmed by urine analysis and urine culture. Routine haemogram, renal function tests is advised. USG abdomen and pelvis is recommended for further evaluation.
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the underlying cause. Treating the underlying medication is essential. If there is no specific reason, drinking plenty of water and other fluids during daytime will help in managing the condition. Avoiding heavy medications, artificial foods, heavy physical activities which will cause injury to urinary tract causing bloody urine [heamaturia] will contribute to the treatment.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating abnormal urine colour. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating abnormal urine colour.
