What causes urine color to change from its normal color to green

Did you know that urine color is one of the most important indicators of an individual's health? In this article, we will provide you with all the information related to green urine, so do not miss the opportunity to know it. A change in urine color from its natural color may cause concern for some, especially if the urine is green. Follow us to learn the important details about green urine through the Dalili Medical website.

**Is green urine normal?**

A change in urine color to green or blue-green can be normal in some cases, as it may be due to the effect of some foods, medications, or dyes used in medical examinations. However, green urine may in some cases indicate health problems that require medical care. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to any change in urine color from its natural color, as the natural color ranges from pale yellow to dark amber. The color of urine depends on the concentration of a pigment known as Urochrome or yellow pigment, which is affected by the amount of water a person drinks. When fluid intake increases, urine color tends to be more transparent, while in case of fluid deficiency, urine color becomes amber, indicating dehydration.

**What is the normal color of urine?**

The normal color of urine is clear light yellow, which is known in urine analysis as (Clear Yellow). The normal color includes a spectrum of colors, starting from clear urine that indicates an increase in fluids in the body, through shades of light yellow. When reaching a certain degree of yellow, signs of an abnormal color begin to appear, especially when reaching a dark amber color. Urine color can also change due to pigments or blood leakage in the urinary tract.

**Dark urine color and dehydration**

One of the most important indicators that can be observed from urine color is the level of moisture in the body. The lighter the urine color, the higher the hydration and the higher the percentage of fluids, while dark urine indicates low body moisture and dehydration, depending on the degree of color.

**Normal Urine Color**

Normal urine color is light yellow, which is caused by the presence of urochrome, the pigment responsible for urine color. Urochrome is one of the compounds resulting from the breakdown of hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells, which transports oxygen throughout the body.

Urine color may sometimes change to different colors. Men may notice this change after using the toilet, while women notice it when using a towel. Doctors indicate that there is no need to worry too much, as the color change may be due to eating certain foods or medications.

**When should you see a doctor?**

Although certain foods may cause urine to turn red, the presence of blood may also be the cause of this change, which may indicate a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or other problems. So, if you notice that your urine turns red, you should consult a doctor to determine if this is a sign of a disease. Cloudy urine with a foul odor may also indicate a bacterial infection, which requires a visit to the doctor. Finally, a sweet-smelling urine may indicate diabetes, a serious health condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment.

**Urine Colors and Their Meanings**

Urine gets its natural yellow color from urochrome, and the color of urine changes based on the amount of fluids consumed. When you drink enough fluids, the pigment is diluted, resulting in light-colored urine. In case of dehydration, urine becomes dark or amber due to the increased concentration of pigment. In addition, urine color can be affected by other factors such as the presence of blood, eating foods and drinks that contain dyes, or using certain medications. Some diseases, especially those related to the liver and kidneys, may also lead to changes in urine color.

**White or clear urine**: White or clear urine indicates that you are consuming large amounts of water that exceed your daily needs. Although drinking water is good for your health, excessive amounts can affect your electrolyte balance. If you repeatedly see white urine, it may be necessary to reduce your fluid intake.

**Normal Yellow Urine Color**: Light yellow or lemon is the normal color of urine, and indicates the health of the body and the safety of the urinary system, which excludes the presence of urinary or kidney problems.

**Amber Urine Color**: Urine appears amber in color as a result of dehydration and increased concentration of urochrome pigment. High levels of vitamin B in the blood can also change the color of urine to dark amber.

**Orange Urine Color**: Orange urine indicates dehydration and fluid deficiency, which leads to increased concentration of pigment. This color is also associated with some health problems such as jaundice, and is often accompanied by light or white stools. There are medications such as antibiotics and vitamin B supplements that may cause orange urine, in addition to some foods rich in pigment such as carrots.

**Red or Pink Urine Color**: Red or pink urine indicates the presence of blood in the urine, which may indicate a urinary tract infection or the presence of sand or kidney stones, or other urinary problems. An enlarged prostate in men can cause red urine, while in women, urine may be mixed with vaginal bleeding, especially during menstruation. On the other hand, eating colorful foods such as beets and berries can cause urine to change color, in addition to some medications that may cause red or pink urine, such as rifampin, a drug used to treat tuberculosis, phenazopyridine, a drug used to treat urinary tract diseases, and some laxatives that contain N

Senna.

**Dark brown urine color:** If your urine color tends to be dark brown or resembles rust or cola, it may be due to eating certain types of foods in large quantities, such as aloe vera and red beans. Some medications, such as chloroquine and primaquine to treat malaria, some antibiotics such as Flagyl, and anti-constipation medications containing senna or cascara, may also cause this color. In addition, dark brown urine can indicate liver or kidney disorders, urinary tract infections, or dehydration.

**Cloudy or cloudy urine color:** In addition to urine color, urine clarity is evaluated, as kidney stones, sand, and urinary tract infections can cause urine to appear cloudy and smell bad. Cloudy urine is also a sign of dehydration.

**Blue or green urine color:** Blue or green urine is rare, and is usually associated with artificial dyes found in some foods or medications such as methylene blue. Blue urine can also appear after medical tests that use dyes, and is associated with certain medications such as amitriptyline (an antidepressant), indomethacin (an anti-inflammatory), and propofol (used in anesthesia). Blue urine can also be the result of familial hypercalcemia, a genetic condition sometimes known as blue diaper syndrome, in which babies born with this condition have blue urine. Green urine can also appear in cases of urinary tract infections caused by bacteria known as Pseudomonas.

**Purple urine color:** Purple urine is a rare condition associated with the disease porphyria, in which patients' urine turns purple or violet. This occurs as a result of chemical disturbances in the body that lead to the accumulation of substances that produce porphyrin, a compound necessary for the function of hemoglobin in the blood.

**Reasons for Urine to Turn Green:**

The normal color of urine can turn green or blue due to several factors, including:

1. **Foods:** Eating certain foods such as helium or foods that contain bright food dyes can affect the color of urine, making it turn green, but it quickly returns to its natural color.

2. **Medications:** Some medications may cause urine to turn green or blue, including:

- Medications that contain phenol, such as allergy medications and motion sickness medications such as promethazine and anesthesia medications such as propofol. 

- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline. 

- Antacids such as cimetidine. 

- Painkillers such as indomethacin.

3. **Dyes and medical compounds:** The use of methylene blue, a non-pathogenic, water-soluble dye, in some kidney and bladder function tests can cause urine to turn green or blue. However, blue urine is a rare condition, as the blue dye reacts with urochrome yellow, resulting in green urine. Methylene blue may appear in urine within a few minutes of intravenous injection, and in some cases it may appear after 2-6 hours, and this condition lasts for up to 24 hours.

Some health problems can cause urine to appear green, the most prominent of which are:

**Urinary tract infections**: In rare cases, a bacterial infection in the urinary tract can cause urine to turn green, as some bacteria secrete pigments that affect the color of urine. This condition requires medical intervention.

**Personal care products**: Many personal care products and cosmetics contain dyes that may cause urine to change color. For example, Listerine mouthwash can cause green urine if accidentally swallowed because of the ingredient thymol. Some cosmetics and other products that contain blue or green dyes can also have the same effect. **What to do about it?** Don't worry, these changes are not harmful. The color usually goes away after you stop using these products, and people are unlikely to experience additional worrisome symptoms or need medical treatment.

**Urinary tract infection**: Some urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which produce pyocyanin, a blue-green compound that can change the color of urine. If you have a urinary tract infection, you may notice other symptoms such as:

- Pain or burning when you urinate.

- Frequent urination.

- Abdominal and lower back pain.

- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.

- Fever.

**What to do about it?** You should consult your doctor, as urinary tract infections need to be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as sepsis.

**Familial benign hypercalcemia**: This is a rare genetic disorder that affects children and causes urine to appear green.

**Excessive intake of vitamin B**: Consuming excess amounts of vitamin B, whether from foods or supplements, can cause urine to turn green.

**Is green urine dangerous?**

If your urine appears green for a short period of time, there is no need to worry, as this is usually a temporary change that can be reversed by changing your diet or medications, and does not cause any health risks. However, if your urine continues to turn green for more than two consecutive days, it is advisable to see a doctor to avoid any serious health risks.

**Bright green urine in pregnant women**

Green or blue urine can be caused by dyes. Some bright food dyes can change the color of your urine, and dyes used in

Some kidney and bladder tests can also cause blue urine.

**Blue diaper syndrome**

Blue diaper syndrome is a rare condition that mostly affects children. It occurs when the body is unable to break down tryptophan, a nutrient found in animal foods such as milk and eggs. This syndrome can lead to hypercalcemia, which causes blue or green urine. A child with the condition may have difficulty gaining weight or be diagnosed with failure to thrive, a condition in which a child does not achieve expected weight or growth milestones. Other symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and changes in appetite.

**What should you do?** Talk to your child’s pediatrician, who can diagnose the condition based on a urine sample. Children with blue diaper syndrome need to follow a diet low in calcium, protein, and vitamin D.

**Is green urine a cause for concern?**

If your urine appears green for a short period of time, there is no need to worry. This change is temporary and reversible due to a change in diet or medication, and does not cause any health problems. However, if the urine color continues to change to green for more than two consecutive days, it is necessary to see a doctor to avoid any serious health risks. Persistent green urine should not be ignored, as the accumulation of some medications and substances can lead to poisoning, especially in patients with impaired kidney function.

**Medications that cause urine color change**

Urine color can change to light or dark brown as a result of taking some medications, such as:

- Medications containing iron, whether in the form of capsules or injections, such as Ferrotron capsules.

- Methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant, which helps relieve muscle tension, cramps and pain. It should be avoided by people with bleeding problems or kidney disease, and is available in medications such as Demra and Methocoic.

- Metronidazole, a medication used to treat peptic ulcers resulting from microbial infection, as well as to treat some types of acne and various bacterial infections, including microbial infections in the vagina. It is prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and is available in medications such as Flagyl and Amerizole.

Medicines containing senna, such as Senalax.

Chloroquine, which is used to treat malaria, requires caution when used by breastfeeding women and infants, as well as when driving or undergoing surgery. Examples of this medicine include Plaquenil and Hydroquin.

Methyldopa is a medicine used to lower high blood pressure in pregnant women, such as Aldomet.

Urine can turn blue-green as a result of taking some medications, such as amitriptyline, which is used to treat depression and is classified as a tricyclic drug. This medicine works to increase the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, which are two substances that play a role in improving mood, which helps in overcoming depression. Other medications that may lead to this change in color include Terbutazol tablets.

Urine can also appear yellow-orange.

Urine can turn orange as a result of taking some medications, including:

**Chlorzoxazone**: Used as a muscle and skeletal relaxant. It should be avoided by people with liver disease or breastfeeding women. Among the drugs that contain this compound are Myofen and Myolgin.

**Rifampicin**: It is an antibiotic that works to inhibit ribonucleic acid, and is used as a broad-spectrum treatment for germs, especially those that cause tuberculosis. It is prohibited for use by people who are allergic to the compound or suffer from jaundice, and is available in tablets such as Rimactane.

**Sulfasalazine**: It is used as an anti-inflammatory for the intestines, especially the colon, as well as to treat arthritis. It is not considered a pain reliever, and should be avoided by people who are allergic to the substance, as well as those who suffer from intestinal obstruction or obstruction in the reproductive or urinary system. It is available in Pentaza tablets.

**Warfarin**: It is a blood thinner given to patients who are prone to blood clots. When taking medications containing warfarin, the patient must maintain a constant level of vitamin K in his diet, and he must perform prothrombin time tests according to the doctor's instructions. It is available in Marevan.

**Scarlet urine color**:

Urine color can turn scarlet when taking medications such as:

**Ibuprofen**: It is used as a general pain reliever to relieve pain resulting from inflammation, fever, menstruation, arthritis, gout attacks, and migraines. It should be avoided by people who are allergic to the active ingredient, and is available in Brufen tablets.

**Phenytoin**: It is used to treat epilepsy, but it does not cure the disease, but rather helps control seizures and reduce their number. Patients who are allergic to the compound should avoid it, and is available in Epanten tablets.

**Salicylic acid**: Also known as salicylic acid, it works to remove the outer layer of the skin without affecting the quality or quantity of the skin. It is used to treat conditions such as corns, pityriasis versicolor, and psoriasis.

**Heparin**: It is used to prevent clots from forming, so it is used to treat clots that form in the blood vessels and to prevent them from occurring. It is available in Cal Heparin.

It's not just medications that can cause urine to change color. Dark yellow urine can also be caused by not drinking enough water and taking multivitamins. Cloudy urine may be a sign of a kidney stone or infection. Light brown urine may be caused by an old blood clot or kidney infection. Red or pink urine may indicate a kidney stone or tumor, or a tumor in the kidney, ureter, or bladder.

And inflammation of the kidneys, or even as a result of eating foods such as beets. The green color may indicate eating vegetables, while the orange color may be an indication of inflammation of the liver. In all cases, it is preferable to consult a doctor when there is a change in the color of urine, especially if you are not taking medications that affect its color, as urine in general is an indicator of the health condition of the body.

.