Smelly or Odour Urine

Pelvis | Urology | Smelly or Odour Urine (Symptom)


Description

Normal urine is clear and has a straw-yellow colour. While the odour of urine can vary somewhat, in most cases, it does not have a strong smell.

Causes

With dehydration, the urine is more concentrated and may have a stronger ammonia scent than normal. Consumption of certain foods such as asparagus can impart a characteristic odour to urine. Likewise consumption of saffron, alcohol, coffee, tuna fish, and onion can result in telltale scents. Particularly spicy foods can have a similar effect, as their compounds pass through the kidneys without being fully broken down before exiting the body.

Urine odour can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, including infection, inflammation, or other conditions of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra). Urine odour can also be caused by diseases, such as diabetes and dehydration, which affect the urinary tract as well as other body systems. Urine odour can occur in all age groups and populations, and it may or may not occur with additional symptoms, such as a cloudy urine, bloody urine, and burning with urination.

When there is an infection in the urinary tract, the urine may take on a foul-smelling odour as well as appear cloudy or bloody. The urine may also have an abnormally sweet odour in uncontrolled diabetes, and some rare genetic conditions can also cause the urine to have an abnormal odour.

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