Urine typically has a characteristic odor, but when it has an unusual or strong smell, it may indicate an underlying condition or be due to certain factors.
1. Causes of unusual-smelling urine
Each person’s urine has a distinctive odor. Sometimes, you may notice that your urine has a stronger odor than usual, which is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, urine that has a strong, foul, or unusual smell could be a sign of an underlying issue, as outlined below.
1.1. Asparagus causes unusual urine smell
Asparagus is a food that can cause your urine to have a strong odor. The culprit behind the foul-smelling urine in asparagus is due to the natural sulfur compounds within it (asparagusic acid).
Although these compounds are harmless to the body, they produce a strong odor, which can be unpleasant after eating.
Some people may not notice a change in the smell of their urine when consuming asparagus. This unusual urine smell typically disappears after the asparagus is digested and eliminated. If the odor persists, you should contact a doctor to identify the exact cause.
1.2. Dehydration
When you do not drink enough water, your body may show signs of dehydration. In this case, you may notice that your urine smells more like ammonia than usual and is dark yellow or orange.
Most people experience mild dehydration that does not require medical treatment. Replenishing fluids will help the smell and color of your urine return to normal.
Severe dehydration can occur if you are mentally confused, physically exhausted, fatigued, or have other issues. In such cases, you need to receive immediate medical treatment.
1.3. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the causes of unusual-smelling urine. A frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, and a burning sensation while urinating are typical symptoms of a UTI.
In this case, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
1.4. Diabetes makes urine have an unusual smell
A common symptom of diabetes is sweet-smelling urine. People with untreated diabetes will have high blood sugar levels, which leads to sweet-smelling urine.
If you notice this symptom, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If diabetes is not treated in time, it can lead to severe and life-threatening complications.
1.5 Vesicovaginal Fistula
A vesicovaginal fistula occurs when bacteria from the intestines enter the bladder. The causes of this fistula are often due to trauma after surgery or intestinal-related diseases (such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease).
1.6 Liver Disease
Strong-smelling urine could be a sign of liver disease. Other symptoms of liver disease include:
-Nausea and vomiting
-Abdominal pain
-Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
-Fatigue
-Bloating
-Unexplained weight loss
-Dark-colored urine
Liver disease needs to be treated early to prevent dangerous complications.
1.7. Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria is a genetic metabolic disorder. In this condition, the body cannot break down an amino acid called phenylalanine. When phenylalanine accumulates in the body, your urine will often have an unpleasant odor. Other symptoms of phenylketonuria include:
Skin pigmentation reduction
Intellectual disability
Delayed social skills development
If this disease is not detected and treated early, it may lead to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe mental impairments.
1.8. Syrup urine disease
Syrup urine disease is a rare, incurable genetic disorder that causes urine to have a strange odor (like syrup). Patients with syrup urine disease cannot break down the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, 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 can cause the urine to have a strong odor, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.
Additionally, dehydration during pregnancy can cause uric acid to accumulate, which may create a foul odor in the urine. Therefore, pregnant women should drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.
2. When to see a doctor for strong-smelling urine?
If you notice that your urine has an unusual smell for more than two days or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms (such as sweet-smelling urine, mental disorder, bloating, nausea, or vomiting), you should visit a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
These symptoms could be signs of a serious condition that requires early treatment.
3. Diagnosing the Cause of Unusual-Smelling Urine
To determine whether the cause of the strong-smelling urine is related to a medical condition, a doctor may perform several tests, such as:
- Urinalysis: A urine sample is tested to detect the presence of bacteria or other related factors that may indicate an infection.
- Cystoscopy: A cystoscope is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to investigate the underlying cause of urinary tract issues.
- Imaging techniques: These are not typically used to diagnose the cause of unusual-smelling urine. However, if no signs of infection are found after urine analysis, a doctor may consider an X-ray or ultrasound.
Unusual-smelling urine can be caused by many factors, such as the foods you ate the night before or medications you are taking. However, if the foul odor persists or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, consult a doctor for an examination and accurate diagnosis.
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