Why does urine have a strange smell?

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Urine that has an unusual odor is usually physiological, but it can be a sign of a medical condition.

1. What causes urine to have a strange smell?

Everyone's urine has a unique odor. Sometimes you notice that your urine is stronger than usual, which is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, urine with a strong odor or unusual odor is most likely a sign of an underlying problem below.
1.1. Asparagus gives urine a strange smell Asparagus is a food that makes your urine smell strong. The culprit behind the foul smell of urine in asparagus is the effects of the naturally occurring sulfur compounds inside (asparaginic acid).
Although these substances are not harmful to the body, they create a strong odor and make you feel uncomfortable after eating.
Some people may not notice a change in the smell of their urine when eating asparagus. The unusual odor in the urine will go away after the asparagus is digested and eliminated. In case the odor persists, you should contact your doctor to determine the exact cause.
1.2. Dehydration When you don't drink enough water, your body is at risk of showing signs of dehydration. At that time, you may notice that your urine is stronger than usual with a strong ammonia smell and is dark yellow or orange in color.
Most people are mildly dehydrated and do not need medical treatment. Drinking enough water will help the smell and color of urine return to normal.
Severe dehydration can occur if you have mental confusion, physical weakness, fatigue or other problems, in which case you need immediate medical treatment.
1.3. Urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of a strange odor in urine. An urge to urinate, frequent urination, and a burning sensation when urinating are typical symptoms of a UTI.
In this case, the doctor will give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the disease.
1.4. Diabetes makes urine smell strange A common symptom of diabetes is sweet-smelling urine. People with untreated diabetes have high blood sugar levels, resulting in urine that smells and tastes sweet.
If you notice this symptom, see a doctor as soon as possible. If diabetes is not treated in time, it can lead to many life-threatening complications.

1.5. Bladder Vaginal Fistula Vaginal fistula occurs when bacteria from the intestines enter the bladder. The cause of a urethral fistula is usually post-operative trauma or bowel-related disease (such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease).
1.6. Liver disease Strong-smelling urine can be a sign of liver disease. Other symptoms of liver disease include:
Nausea, vomiting Abdominal pain Unusual yellowing of the skin or eyes Fatigue Fatigue Unexplained weight loss Dark urine. Liver disease needs to be treated early to avoid dangerous complications.
1.7. Phenylacetonuria Phenylketonuria is an inherited metabolic disorder. The patient's body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine on its own. When your body builds up phenylalanine, your urine often has an unpleasant odor. Other symptoms of phenylketonuria include:
Hypopigmentation of the skin Intellectual disability Delay in development of social skills If this disease is not detected and treated early, it can lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (ADHD) and severe mental impairment.
1.8. Syrupuria is a rare and incurable genetic disorder that causes urine to have a strange odor (like syrup). Patients with syrup urine cannot break down the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine on their own, which can lead to brain damage and death if not treated promptly.
1.9. Pregnancy During pregnancy, a woman's body increases production of a pregnancy hormone called hCG. Elevated levels of hCG cause foul-smelling urine, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.
In addition, dehydration during pregnancy causes uric acid to build up, which can create a bad odor in the urine. Therefore, pregnant women also need to drink more water to avoid dehydration.

2. Strong-smelling urine when to see a doctor

If you notice strange-smelling urine that persists for more than 2 days or is accompanied by unusual symptoms (such as sweet-smelling urine, mental confusion, bloating, nausea, vomiting), you should See your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
The above symptoms can be signs of a dangerous disease that needs to be treated soon.

3. Diagnose the cause of the strange smell of urine

To determine the exact cause of your strong urine odor is due to a medical condition, your doctor will use a number of tests, such as:
Urinalysis : A sample of your urine is examined. to determine the presence of certain pathogenic bacteria, or related factors. Cystoscopy: An endoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to find the cause of urinary tract disease. Imaging Techniques: Usually not used to diagnose the cause of strange-smelling urine. However, if there aren't any signs of infection after a urinalysis, your doctor may consider ordering an X-ray or an ultrasound. Urine that has a strange smell can be caused by many things, such as the foods you ate the night before or the medicines you are taking. However, if the bad smell of urine persists or is accompanied by unusual symptoms, visit your doctor for an examination and accurate diagnosis.

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