Orange Urine Mystery: Wedding Day Pee Problems

There are many reasons why someone's urine may be orange. One common cause is a high intake of vitamins such as beta carotene or B-12. Dehydration can also cause urine to become more concentrated, resulting in an orange appearance. In some cases, orange urine could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as a liver condition or problem with the bile duct.

Dehydration

Causes of Dehydration

There are several factors that can lead to dehydration:

• Urinating too much, which can be due to certain medications or illnesses such as uncontrolled diabetes.
• Not drinking enough water or other fluids, especially during hot weather or when exercising vigorously.
• Diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to a rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes.
• Fever, as a higher body temperature can increase fluid loss.
• Excessive sweating during vigorous activity or in hot, humid weather.
• Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, or cystic fibrosis, which can cause increased urination or sweating.
• Certain medications that increase urination or sweating.

Symptoms of Dehydration

The signs and symptoms of dehydration can vary by age and the severity of dehydration. Some common symptoms include:

• Feeling thirsty
• Urinating and sweating less than usual
• Dry mouth and tongue
• Crying without tears (in infants and young children)
• Sunken eyes
• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Dark yellow or orange urine
• Confusion or irritability
• Dizziness
• Rapid breathing and heart rate

Treatment and Prevention of Dehydration

The treatment for dehydration depends on its severity. Mild to moderate dehydration can usually be reversed by drinking more fluids, while severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention and may need intravenous (IV) fluids with salt in a hospital setting.

To prevent dehydration, it is important to ensure adequate fluid intake:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks.
• Increase fluid intake during hot weather, exercise, or illness.
• Eat water-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• Listen to your body and drink water when you feel thirsty.

Complications of Dehydration

If left untreated, dehydration can lead to serious complications, including:

• Heat injury, ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and potentially life-threatening heatstroke.
• Urinary and kidney problems, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and kidney failure.
• Seizures due to electrolyte imbalances.
• Low blood volume shock, a life-threatening condition where low blood pressure and oxygen levels occur.

Beta-carotene-rich foods

Beta-carotene is a type of nutrient known as a carotenoid, which means it’s a natural food colouring. Beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid, which means it is a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene is fat-soluble, so eating it with foods containing fat, such as olive oil or nuts, can help boost absorption.

Beta-carotene is best known for giving some foods an orange hue, but not all beta-carotene-rich foods are orange. Beta-carotene is concentrated in fruits and veggies with a red, orange, or yellow colour. However, dark leafy greens and other green vegetables contain a good amount of this antioxidant as well.

• Dark leafy greens (e.g. kale, spinach, mustard greens, collards, beet greens, Swiss chard)
• Red and yellow peppers
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Lettuce
• Apricots
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Carrots

Beta-carotene has many health benefits. It has powerful antioxidant properties and acts as an anti-inflammatory. It helps to improve cognitive function and memory, and boosts skin and lung health. Beta-carotene may also reduce the risk of certain cancers, including lung cancer.

Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body, so excessive amounts can be dangerous. However, beta-carotene will only be converted to vitamin A if the body needs it. One possible side effect of too much beta-carotene is carotenemia, a harmless condition where the skin turns a yellow-orange colour.

Medication and supplements

Orange urine can be caused by certain medications and supplements. In most cases, this is harmless, and urine colour will return to normal when you stop taking the medication.

Medications that can turn urine orange include:

• Phenazopyridine, which treats urinary pain in people with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Isoniazid, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis.
• Rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and MRSA infections.
• Sulfasalazine, an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Laxatives with senna, which can cause reddish-orange urine.
• Pyridium and Uristat, drugs containing phenazopyridine, which treat pain from urinary tract infections.
• Adriamycin (doxorubicin), a powerful chemotherapy drug.
• Comtan (entacapone) and Tasmar (tolcapone), medications for Parkinson's disease.
• Warfarin, a common blood thinner.

Supplements that can turn urine orange include:

• Beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A by the body.
• B-12.
• High doses of vitamin C.

Liver disease

Orange urine can be a symptom of liver disease, specifically cholestasis, which is caused by a blockage in the flow of bile between the liver and the small intestine. Bile is a digestive fluid produced in the liver, and when its flow is blocked, bilirubin, a yellow substance found in bile, can build up and escape into the bloodstream, eventually tinting the urine.

• Fatigue and tiredness: Doctors are unsure of the exact link between liver damage and tiredness, but fatigue is a common symptom.
• Nausea: This occurs due to a buildup of toxins in the bloodstream as a result of the liver's decreased ability to filter them out.
• Pale stools: Stools get their dark colour from bile salts that the liver normally releases. Pale stools may indicate a problem with the liver or another part of the biliary drainage system.
• Jaundice: Jaundice is a yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes, caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a bile pigment, in the blood. The skin may also be itchy due to this.
• Spider naevi: These are small spider-shaped arteries that appear in clusters on the skin. While they can be common in healthy women, a larger number of spider naevi on the upper body or in men may suggest liver disease.
• Bruising easily: The liver's reduced ability to produce clotting factors may lead to easy bruising.
• Reddened palms (palmar erythema): About a quarter of people with liver cirrhosis develop palmar erythema, which is a reddening of the skin on the palms.
• Swollen abdomen (ascites): Fluid retention in the abdomen and legs can be a sign of liver disease.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you have orange urine, it is important to consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They can perform blood tests, ultrasounds, or a liver biopsy to help diagnose your condition. Early detection and treatment of liver disease are crucial to prevent further damage to the liver or bile ducts.

Urinary tract infection

Orange urine can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, dehydration, medication, and supplements. However, in some cases, it could indicate a more serious issue, such as a liver condition or a problem with the bile duct.

One possible cause of orange urine is a high intake of certain vitamins and supplements, such as beta carotene or B-12. Dehydration is another common cause, as it can lead to more concentrated urine, resulting in a darker yellow or orange appearance. Additionally, certain medications and supplements can cause orange urine, including laxatives, chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications.

While orange urine is often harmless, it can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying health condition. For instance, it could be a sign of cholestasis, a liver condition caused by a blockage in the flow of bile between the liver and the small intestine. This can lead to a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow substance found in bile, which can tint the urine orange. Other symptoms of cholestasis include jaundice, a yellow tint in the skin or eyes, and light or clay-colored stools.

In the context of urinary tract infections (UTIs), orange urine may be related to the medication used to treat the infection, such as phenazopyridine, which is often prescribed to treat pain associated with UTIs. UTIs are common infections that occur when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract, which includes the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Symptoms of a UTI include frequent urination, pain while urinating, and pain in the side or lower back. Most UTIs can be effectively treated with antibiotics.

If you experience orange urine along with other concerning symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently asked questions