What About Kidney Stones Are They Involved Here Somehow
Sort of. A kidney stone isnt an infection, but a collection of salt and minerals that hardens and turns into a stone.; While some stones may be small others can be much larger. They may stay in the kidney, or begin to move into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. When this happens, kidney stones can become extremely painful.;
Kidney stones can be tricky, since they may have many of the same symptoms as a UTI or a kidney infection pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, and cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, fever, nausea or vomiting. And while stones often pass on their own, larger stones sometimes need to be broken up, or removed.
Sometimes, kidney stones can lead to a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, so its important to get them checked out by your doctor. And, since the symptoms are so similar, getting a checkup is probably a good idea anyway just to rule out the possibility of an infection, and to make sure the stone is moving along as it should.;
You Loaded Up On Vitamins
Weve all experienced this one: You take your daily multivitamin and a couple of hours later your urine looks and smells rather terrifying.
Dont be alarmed: Multiple vitaminsespecially vitamin B6can affect urine color and odor, says Dr. Dune. In fact, B vitamins are notorious for turning urine a neon yellow-green color.
Complications Of Kidney Infections
Most kidney infections are treated successfully without complications, although some people may develop further problems.
Complications of a kidney infection are rare, but you’re more likely to;develop them if you:
- are a child
- rapid heartbeat
- breathlessness
Blood poisoning;is a medical emergency that usually requires admission to a hospital;intensive care unit while antibiotics are used to fight the infection.
If you’re taking certain medications for diabetes, such as metformin or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, they may be temporarily withdrawn until you recover. This is because they can cause kidney damage during an episode of blood poisoning.
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When To See Your Doctor About Smelly Urine
Though stinky pee alone may not always be cause for alarm, strange-smelling urine thats accompanied by other symptoms may be.
If youre also noticing cloudy or bloody urine, experience pain during urination, are peeing a lot more or less than usual, or have lower back or abdominal pain, make an appointment with your doctor, says Dr. Dune.
Just a few days of persistent symptoms warrants a visit, says OLeary. When in doubt, just get it checked out.
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Common Bacteria Scents In Culture:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Staphylococcus lugdenensis: Streptococcus anginosus: Escherichia coli: Moraxella catarrhalis: Haemophilus influenzae: Candida/Yeast: Eikenella corrodens: Acinetobacter baumannii: Proteus spp: Actinomycetes, Streptomyces, Nocardia spp: Gram-negative anaerobes:
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Fruity, grape-like scent or smells like taco chips or tortilla chips to some; Metallic sheen with hints of blue/green due to pyocyanin pigment; Dry, flat and spreading; Non-lactose fermenter on MacConkey Agar; Gram-negative bacilli/rod; Oxidase +; Part of the Enterobacteriaceae family; Common cause of burn and wound infections, UTI’s, associated with formation of kidney stones, causative agent of otitis externa or “Swimmer’s Ear”, common cause of skin infections associated with contaminated whirlpool tubs and saunas | Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Fruity, grape-like scent or smells like taco chips or tortilla chips to some; Metallic sheen with hints of blue/green due to pyocyanin pigment; Dry, flat and spreading; Non-lactose fermenter on MacConkey Agar; Gram-negative bacilli/rod; Part of the Enterobacteriaceae family; Common cause of burn and wound infections, UTI’s, associated with formation of kidney stones, causative agent of otitis externa or “Swimmer’s Ear”, common cause of skin infections associated with contaminated whirlpool tubs and saunas |
| Streptomyces: Smells like wet-earth, dirt, after fresh rain | Streptomyces: Smells like wet-earth, dirt, after fresh rain |
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What Does Urine Smell Like With Kidney Infection
kidneystonessmelling urinestonesurinaryurinesmell
. In this way, what does diabetic urine smell like?
If you have diabetes, you may notice your pee smells sweet or fruity. This is because the body is trying to get rid of the excess blood sugar and is disposing of glucose through your urine. For people who haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, this symptom can be one of the first signs they have the disease.
Subsequently, question is, what does smelly urine mean female? Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Cystitis Dehydration.
Moreover, what does the smell of your urine tell you?
Pee doesn’t usually have a strong smell. When you‘re dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.
How do you stop your urine from smelling?
Ways to Reduce Urine Odor
- Drink Enough Fluids. Many people are worried about drinking fluids because they fear it will increase their chances of leakage.
- Get an Exam. Get an examination to check for infection in your bladder or urinary tract.
- Switch it Up.
Can Bad Smelling Urine Be An Std
Yes, foul-smelling urine can be due to an STD, also known as a sexually transmitted infection . Sexually transmitted infections and bladder infections can change the smell of urine. Trichomonas can cause vaginal discharge that has a fishy odor. A urinary tract infection can cause pus within the urine that may be pungent and foul-smelling. Foods can also change the smell of urine. Pungent foods include coffee or asparagus. Because “bad” smells are subjective, you can mistake bad smelling urine as an infection.
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Bad Smelling Urine: Causes Treatments And When To See A Doctor
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
Urine usually has a light odor, but bad smelling urine can be due to dehydration or an infection in your urinary tract. Certain foods that you consume such as asparagus or protein-rich foods can also cause strong smelling urine like ammonia or sulfur. Other conditions can cause your pee to smell musty or have a sweet aroma. Thankfully, smelly urine is not always a cause for concern, especially if it only occurs occasionally.
Conditions affecting your urinary system that make your urine smell bad usually accompanied by other symptoms. You may find that passing smelly pee causes a burning sensation and your urine looks cloudy. Sometimes, increasing your fluid intake is enough to get rid of smelly urine symptoms.
Frequently passing urine with a strong odor or with foul smell may be a sign that you need to see a doctor.
If you want to know what causes your pee to smell really bad, please read on to find the answer.
How Is A Kidney Infection Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam, and likely run some diagnostic tests. Those include a urinalysis, to check your pee under a microscope for bacteria and white blood cells, which your body makes to fight infection, and a urine culture to help find out what kind of bacteria is causing the infection, the NIDDK says. Your doctor may even take a blood sample to check for bacteria or other organisms in your blood, the Mayo Clinic says.
Other tests that might come up include an ultrasound, a CT scan, or a form of X-ray called a voiding cystourethrogram, which involves injecting a contrast dye to take X-rays of your bladder when its full and while youre peeing, per the Mayo Clinic.
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How Long Does A Uti Last
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If you have a UTI, its best to get it treated right away before any complications develop . Its possible for a UTI to get better on its own, but most of the time, it wont. While home remedies can help ease some of the discomfort, a doctor can prescribe you an antibiotic that is a much quicker and more effective treatment. An antibiotic will start working immediately and, depending on how complicated your UTI is, may clear it up in a matter of days. Be sure to always take your medication how your doctor prescribes.
Ok So How Do I Make Sure I Never Get A Uti Or A Kidney Infection
As they say, prevention is the best cure! And there are many things you can do to ensure that youre reducing your risk for an infection, and preventing build up from occurring in the kidneys.;
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Practice good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back, keep your genital area clean, wash before and after sex. Basically, do your best to keep bacteria from even having a chance of getting into the urinary system in the first place.
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Drink lots of water. If youre dehydrated, youre not only increasing your chance of a UTI, but youre also decreasing your urine output, meaning that more minerals have a chance to build up and settle in the urinary tract or kidneys.
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Make sure to urinate whenever you feel you have to go. Dont hold it in. This concentrates the urine allowing bacteria to build up and spread.
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Alter your diet if you find youre prone to kidney stones. Cut down on certain meats and shellfish and opting instead for more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Cut back on sodium, and eat more oxalate-rich foods .
And if you do start experiencing any of the symptoms above, be sure to see a doctor right away. UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones can usually be treated fairly easily, but its important to seek medical attention before any complications develop.
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Does Bad Smelling Urine Mean Infection
Foul-smelling urine can come from many sources, often bladder infection. If you have a sudden change in the smell of your urine, this may be due to foods or vitamins . However, a change in the smell of urine is a hint that you may have a bladder infection. This infection can be due to improper hygiene, catheterizations, kidney stones, or anything that keeps you from completely voiding your bladder.
A Rare Metabolic Disorder May Be The Culprit
Though very uncommon, metabolic disorders , can impact the smell of our urine.
One of the most common is maple syrup urine disease, in which a deficiency in enzymes needed to break down certain amino acids causes sweet-smelling urine, explains Dr. Dune. Luckily, this condition is usually caught and treated in infancy.
Other metabolic disorders, like phenylketonuria , though, can also influence urine smell. In PKU, a defective gene prevents the breakdown of the amino acid phenylalanine, which builds up and causes musty-smelling breath and urine, among other symptoms, like rashes and even seizures.
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How To Prevent A Kidney Infection
Preventing a kidney infection is really all about preventing urinary tract infections and getting prompt treatment if you ever get one. Sorry, but dont rely on cranberry juice or supplements for thisthe science is far too mixed to consider either of these a definitive UTI-prevention method. Instead, whenever you feel a bladder infection coming on, make it a habit to drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. That will ensure youre peeing often enough to help flush out bacteria that could lead to an infection. The NIDDK recommends peeing as often as you get the urge, but definitely at least every three to four hours, since urine hanging out in your bladder for too long may help bacteria to grow, the organization says.
Kaufman also stresses the importance of urinating like a fire hose after sex. It might even be helpful to skip peeing before sex as long as that doesnt make you uncomfortable, he says. This allows you to build up a forceful stream that may better help remove any bacteria that might have been pushed up there during sex.
Also, we referenced this above, but its important to reiterate: After you pee , you should be sure to wipe from front to back, as wiping back to front can spread harmful bacteria from your rectum to your urethra, where it can cause an infection.
Fatigue Being Tired All Of The Time
Why this happens:
Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin , or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.
What patients said:
I was constantly exhausted and didn’t have any pep or anything.
I would sleep a lot. I’d come home from work and get right in that bed.
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What You Can Do
You can avoid foods known to cause fishy-smelling urine, but this can be difficult to do. Instead, make sure you drink plenty of water especially when drinking caffeine to help dilute the scent and stay hydrated.
A UTI can cause bacteria from the infection to contaminate the urine, resulting in a distinct fishy smell. UTIs are more common in women than men.
Other symptoms include:
- urine that is cloudy or bloody
- pain or burning during urination
- feeling the need to urinate urgently or frequently
- lower abdominal or back pain
- mild fever
What Are The Potential Causes Of Urine That Smells Like Ammonia
Waste products in urine often have an odor, but urine is usually diluted enough that the waste products dont smell. However, if the urine becomes more concentrated meaning there is a greater amount of waste products in relation to fluids the urine is more likely to smell like ammonia.
Urea is one of the waste products found in urine. Its a byproduct of the breakdown of protein and can be broken down further to ammonia in certain situations. Therefore, many conditions that result in concentrated urine can cause urine that smells like ammonia.
Conditions that can cause a persons urine to smell like ammonia include:
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If Your Pee Smells Strong
It could be dehydration, or maybe it’s the supplement you’re taking.
As we noted before, your pee is more concentrated when you’re dehydrated, so it has that strong pee smell.
Another cause behind that smell, though, can be B-6 vitamins, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The vitamin is water-soluble, meaning it is eliminated in the urine. Check your supplements and multivitamin: How much B6 do they contain?
Fix it: Drink more water if you’re dehydrated. If it’s your supplement, consider switching to a vitamin with lower levels of B-6.
Causes Of Kidney Infections
A kidney infection happens when bacteria infects your kidneys. The bacteria are usually a type called E. coli, which live in your bowel.
The bacteria;get in;through the opening of the urethra;and move upwards through your urinary tract, first infecting your bladder and then your kidneys.
It’s thought the bacteria can get into your urinary tract by;accidentally spreading from your anus to your urethra. This can happen if you wipe your bottom after going to the toilet and the soiled toilet paper comes into contact with your genitals. It can also happen during sex.
In rare cases, a kidney infection can develop if bacteria or fungi infect the skin and the infection spreads through your bloodstream into your kidney. However, this type of infection usually only occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
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Why Its Important To Know About Bladder Infection Symptoms
When you know about bladder infection symptoms, it can help you take action faster before it gets worse. You can schedule an appointment with a doctor and figure out the best treatment action.;
If a bladder infection is untreated, it can cause significant damage to the kidneys, which filters the fluid in your body. This is why its important to take action;immediately;if you know you have the symptoms.;
If you have more questions about a bladder infection, you can contact us here.;
What Should You Do If You Have A Foul
- Make sure that you drink plenty of water daily to flush toxins from your liver and kidneys and prevent dehydration.
- See your doctor promptly if you continue to have a strong urine odor which is cloudy or have unusual dark color or with accompanying symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, nausea or fever.
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Should I Tell My Doctor About Changes In Urine Color Or Odor
You should always contact your doctor if you have any concerns about changes in your urine or if you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Warning signs might include an abnormal color that has no explanation, or any sign of blood in urine. Also seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing a fever, burning sensation while urinating, chills, or back pain.
Your doctor may want to conduct a urinalysis, urine culture, or other tests that can help pinpoint what is causing the changes in your urine. These might include a blood test, ultrasounds, or cystoscopy.