It’s easy to gloss over the colour of your urine. But one pharmacist has now issued an urgent warning about certain shades, claiming they could be a sign of something serious. This even includes a rather innocent-seeming brownish yellow alongside more unusual colours like green, blue and red.
Tackling blue and green first, Niamh McMillan, Superdrug’s Pharmacy Superintendent, explained: “In most cases green or even blue wee is nothing to worry about and more likely caused by green or blue dyes in food, particularly sweets, or medicine.
“In some circumstances it can be a sign of a medical condition called Pseudomonas which is an infection which can affect your skin, blood and lungs. Seek medical advice if you’re concerned.”
Generally, ‘normal’ urine is a pale shade of yellow, though its colour can change in response to health conditions, your diet and even medication.
For instance, blackberries, rhubarb and blueberries can give your waste a pink tinge. On the other hand, if you’re dehydrated or don’t drink enough water, this can make your urine darker than usual. Though, if it turns brown, Niamh suggests is may be a sign of something more worrying.
She continued: “Brown urine is considered one of the first and more common signs of liver inflammation or hepatitis, as your liver can’t clean your blood properly, leading to urine turning brown. Other symptoms of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and yellow skin or eyes.
“Some kidney diseases can also turn your urine brown, alongside symptoms such as swelling in your face, hands and feet and feeling tired. See medical assistance from your GP if you’re concerned.”
Aside from this, Niamh stressed that your urine should also ‘never appear red’ and if it does, it’s important to seek urgent medical assistance. In the worst case, it may be the result of an injury or even kidney stones.
Meanwhile, milky white urine could point to a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially if it comes with a burning sensation or pain when weeing. “Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enters the urethra and then the bladder,” she said.
“Women are more susceptible to UTIs as their urethra is shorter meaning bacteria can reach the bladder more easily. Wiping back to front after going to the toilet and having sex can increase the risk of developing a UTI.
“It’s important to seek medical advice and treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you have a UTI, in order to treat the infection and prevent it from potentially turning into a kidney infection.”