Smelly urine

Due to their nature, the natural excretions of the organism can provide information about various disorders and diseases. An important criterion in this regard smelly respectively smelly urine or urine represent.

What is smelly urine?

Bad-smelling urine is a clear indicator of various health problems. Bad-smelling urine is in most cases noticed by those affected and often triggers a trip to the doctor.

In addition, smelly urine plays a central role in the diagnosis of diseases without painful symptoms. This means that bad-smelling urine can also reveal previously hidden diseases.

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Unpleasant smelling urine is the result of bacterial decomposition of excreted substances. Fresh urine is usually odorless. Bad-smelling urine can only develop through the occurrence of a bacterial infection or other causes.

causes

The causes that lead to the appearance of foul-smelling urine can usually be clarified quickly using modern diagnostic options.

Smelly urine is a clear natural indicator of the body that it is either a metabolic disorder or an infectious disease of the lower urinary tract. In addition, individual bladder tumors are responsible for the creation of malodorous urine.

Ingesting some foods, including asparagus, can also cause bad smelling urine. Bad-smelling urine is typical in the case of a metabolic disorder in relation to an existing diabetes mellitus. The urine can then smell strongly fruity. In this situation, the specialists determine a diabetic metabolic imbalance.

Diseases with this symptom

• Maple syrup disease
• Metabolic disorder

• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes mellitus

• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Dehydration

Complications

Smelly urine can result from a metabolic imbalance or infection of the urinary tract, these can have various complications. Fruity, sweet smelling urine indicates diabetes. If left untreated, the diabetes leads to blockage of small vessels, especially in the area of ​​the eyes, nerves and kidneys.

The affected person can go blind (diabetic retinopathy), which greatly affects the quality of life. Another consequence could be kidney failure (diabetic nephropathy). Damage to the nerves leads to a sensory disorder, which manifests itself particularly in the area of ​​the foot. Smaller wounds are no longer noticed by the person concerned. These can enlarge and eventually become infected.

The foot dies in the process and in the worst case has to be amputated (diabetic foot). A urinary tract infection causes urine that smells like ammonia. If left untreated, the urinary tract infection can spread to the entire organism and thus lead to urosepsis. This condition must be treated with medication and monitored immediately, otherwise it will lead to death fairly quickly.

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An increase in the infection up to the kidney is also conceivable, which can lead to acute kidney failure. Maple syrup disease must be accompanied by a strict diet, as otherwise severe neurological damage can occur in the newborn, which can lead to death.

When should you go to the doctor?

Smelly urine can have a number of causes and usually only occurs for a short time. However, if the foul odor persists for several days, there may be a serious cause that should definitely be clarified by a doctor. If you suspect a bladder infection or an allergy, the symptoms should be discussed with your family doctor as soon as possible. A doctor's visit is particularly urgent if blood or brown deposits can be seen in the urine or if pain occurs when urinating. Then there may be a urinary tract infection or kidney inflammation which, if left untreated, can lead to further problems.

Diabetes patients and pregnant women should discuss changes in urine odor with their doctor. If left untreated during pregnancy, a bladder infection can cause serious complications, including premature labor. Smelly urine during a diet or after consuming asparagus, coffee or garlic is usually harmless and does not require further medical clarification.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

After identifying the cause of the disease, which causes the malodorous urine, appropriate therapy can be given. If the unpleasant smelling urine has a rather putrid, decay-like odor, a bacterial infection of the urinary tract or the kidneys cannot be excluded.

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Another cause of bad-smelling urine can be maple syrup disease. In this disease, foul-smelling urine is caused by a disruption of protein metabolism. The smelly urine is characterized by a maple syrup odor. The protein intake and various other treatment-relevant measures are monitored.

In order to avoid bad-smelling urine due to acidosis or acidosis when sugar levels are too high in connection with diabetes mellitus, the patient must be properly adjusted or dietary. This means that, in order to avoid bad smelling urine in these cases, the concentration of the blood sugar value is monitored precisely and promptly. This can be adjusted by taking medication or a targeted injection of insulin.

If foul-smelling urine occurs due to chronic loss of function of the kidneys, appropriate therapy must also be carried out. If an infectious disease of the kidneys, the ureters and / or the bladder has been found, treatment with antibiotics can be initiated. If the antibiotic drugs work, the foul-smelling urine will soon pass.

Antispasmodic and analgesic drugs are usually administered as support. Uncomplicated infections usually respond quickly to this form of treatment. If, in connection with foul-smelling urine, it is an inflammation of the bladder that keeps recurring, the urine can be converted to an acidic pH value with special agents.

In the case of smelly urine, the acidic environment causes bacterial germs to die. These drugs are known as preventive antibiotics and can be useful in the case of persistent malodorous urine after a detailed diagnosis.

Various natural substances such as tannins in cranberry juice and extracts of bearberry leaves in tea are also helpful in dealing with the bad smelling urine in the case of a bacterial disease of the lower urinary tract.

Outlook & forecast

It is very difficult to give an exact prognosis or prospect in case of smelly urine, as this symptom can indicate different clinical pictures. If asparagus or garlic has been consumed, strongly smelling urine is completely normal. Even without medical treatment, this symptom will go away on its own within 24 hours.

Another and very common cause of smelly urine is a urinary tract infection. This is noticeable by the said smell and by stabbing pain when urinating. If such an infection remains without medical treatment, it can lead to serious secondary diseases. In the worst case, it leads to inflammation and the formation of pus. The bacteria can spread throughout the body so that the human immune system is completely weakened. Nausea, fever or chills are the result. However, a urinary tract infection can be treated very quickly and successfully with medical treatment.

prevention

Smelly urea can be prevented by maintaining good health. This particularly affects the kidneys and the lower urinary tract. To avoid bad smelling urine, certain foods and some medications can be avoided if possible.

You can do that yourself

There are various home remedies and measures that can be used to treat smelly urine naturally. First of all, you should drink a lot so that possible pathogens are quickly rinsed out. Bladder and kidney tea as well as water and unsweetened juices have proven particularly effective.

In addition, a journal should be kept in which the occurrence and possible causes of the malodorous urine should be noted. A urine sample can be taken before the doctor's visit to aid subsequent diagnosis. If the symptoms are caused by cystitis, warmth and bed rest contribute to a quick recovery. A poultice with Swedish bitter relaxes the muscles of the bladder and can therefore accelerate healing.

Medicinal plants such as birch leaves, goldenrod and restharrow root have a relaxing effect and help flush out the pathogens in the event of a urinary tract infection. In the area of ​​hydrotherapy, a soaring hip bath is recommended for smelly urine. In addition, the Schüssler salts No. 3 and No. 9 can be used to alleviate an underlying infection.

Smelly urine after consuming certain foods or drinks can be effectively treated by changing your diet. It may also be due to acidosis or a diabetes disease, which should be clarified by a doctor.