Just about everyone experiences cloudy urine from time to time. In some instances, the condition of the urine is simply the result of some type of food or drink recently consumed. When that is the case, there is no cause for alarm. Cloudy urine can also be a sign of a more serious issue that should be addressed quickly, however. Here are a few examples of why urine may be discolored and what should be done.
Urine that is discolored may come about simply because the individual is taking too many vitamin supplements. There are a number of water-soluble vitamins that either do not store in the body or store only minute amounts. Most of the Vitamin B family as well as Vitamin C are common examples. When too much of these vitamins is taken into the body, the excess flushes through to the kidneys and is expelled in the urine. The simple solution in this case is to cut back on the amount of water-soluble vitamins that are taken each day and the cloudy urine will disappear.
Discolored urine can also be a sign of some sort of kidney infection. Occasionally, other symptoms will also be present, such as pain in the abdomen or a sense of feeling full. In the worst-case scenario, it may be blood that is clouding the urine. If there are any signs of blood expelled along with the flow of urine, it is important to see a doctor immediately, as this may be a sign of kidney stones.
Cloudy urine can be a sign of other types of infections as well. In women, the urine color may indicate the presence of a vaginal infection. Men who notice pus in the urine stream may be dealing with some type of bladder infection. Smoky urine can also be a sign of the presence of a venereal disease, possibly gonorrhea, in either gender. Swift and proper treatment will prevent the condition from worsening and possibly causing additional health issues.
Various foods and drinks can alter the color and consistency of urine, so the sudden appearance of cloudy urine should not automatically be viewed as a sign of trouble. Orange juice, milk, asparagus, beets, and many other common foods can lead to tinted urine. This usually only occurs for a short time after the foods are consumed and by the next day the consistency and color of the urine is back to normal.
If the problem persists for more than a day or two, however, and if there is any type of pain or discomfort accompanying the urge to urinate, it is time to see a physician. A qualified health professional can look into the possible origins of the situation and come up with a diagnosis and a course of treatment. While the answer may be nothing more than taking antibiotics or a diuretic to correct an infection, proper treatment will not take place unless the individual takes the time to visit a doctor and find out exactly what is causing the cloudy urine.