Urine odor is usually not a reason for concern. Urine naturally has a smell but is usually not so strong. Healthy urine should be straw-colored and clear, and should not be very strong.
Causes of Smelly Urine
Urine odor is related to the concentration and volume of various substances excreted by your kidneys.
Many people find that their urine is darker and smells stronger in the morning when it is more concentrated, or mostly when they are dehydrated. Moreover, certain foods and drinks, including garlic, asparagus, coffee and beer, might temporarily give your urine a stronger odor.
Also, some medicines and supplements may also alter the smell of urine – but never stop taking medicines without talking to your healthcare professional first.
Sometimes, uncommon urine odor can indicate some medical condition or disease, as:
- Cystitis (bladder inflammation)
- Bladder infection
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (refers to high levels of blood acids, known as ketones)
- Congenital heart disease
- Gastrointestinal-bladder fistula (irregular connection between the bladder and intestines)
- Metabolic disorder (an issue with the way the body converts the food you consume into energy)
- Maple syrup urine disease (very rare genetic ailment which causes difficulty breaking down some amino acids)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Type 2 diabetes (uncontrolled)
Home Remedies for Urine Odor
Usually, removing urine odor can be easy. Certain home remedies can help you solve this problem naturally. Following, you can find some of the most effective natural remedies. Here are our, Your Health Tubers-suggestions:
- Hydrate
Dehydration is one of the most common reasons for smelly urine. Drinking plenty of water will help you hydrate your body and get rid of urine odor.
- Detox
Accumulation of toxins may also cause urine odor, so it’s important to detox your body from time to time. We recommend you to drink warm lemon water on an empty stomach every morning (30 minutes before eating breakfast).
- Clothes
Make sure that you don’t wear some tight inner garments. Wearing cotton inner garments and cotton clothes can help you get rid of smelly urine and any potential genital infections.
- Cranberry Juice
Consuming cranberry juice is one of the most popular remedies for treating smelly urine in the morning. Instead of cranberry juice, you can also consume a handful of cranberries every day.
- Buttermilk
Just add some ginger and pasted onion to buttermilk and drink it every day. This remedy is especially beneficial if your urinary tract is infected If your urine stinks in the morning, it’s better to drink buttermilk two times a day.
Most Common Question: Why Does My Urine Smell Like Ammonia?
If your urine smells strong like ammonia, that can mean one of two things – you may be dehydrated, or you may have an infection or urinary stones.
Ammonia is a normal product of the metabolism of protein and all urine has it. Therefore, all urine should smell a little bit of ammonia, and this odor is increased by the urine being more concentrated. However, this can also happen because of a change in your diet. There are people who prefer high protein diet in attempts to lose some weight and their urine odors more like ammonia. Another possibility is that you have bacteria in your urine.
When to See Your Doctor
Most changes in urine odor are just temporary and do not indicate any serious problem. But sometimes an unusual smell of the urine is linked to an underlying medical issue. If you are concerned about the smell of your urine, you need to see your doctor.
Conclusion:
The smell of your urine can improve by consuming more liquids. Generally, ensure you drink enough water so you’re not thirsty for a long time, and steadily increase your liquid intake during hot weather or when exercising. Natural remedies can help you get rid of the urine odor. In case the above-mentioned tips aren’t helping you, then you should see your doctor.
References: Nafc.org Medicinenet.com 3/13/2015 Mayoclinic.org April 23, 2014