Kidneys are important organs in our body and perform fundamental functions for the proper functioning of the body. They are the ones who “clean” the bloodstream, filtering toxic waste, such as uric acid, creatinine and urea. However, not everyone pays attention to kidney care, as a result, today it is the most transplanted organ in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health.
What colors are of concern? The nephrologist at the Pró-Renal Foundation, Rene dos Santos Neto, explains that dark urine can indicate that there is something wrong with the body. In an interview with Terra, he explains that the ideal is for it to be clear and yellowish. He also mentions the colors that deserve attention: orange (due to a high concentration of vitamin C or problems with the gallbladder or liver), blue or green (may occur due to medications or bacterial infections) and pink (may be due to food, dyes or medicines).
When to seek medical help? If the pee has a different and persistent color, such as cloudy, dark, red or with the presence of blood, it is time to worry. “Coca-Cola-colored or dark brown urine, for example, can be caused by dehydration, urinary tract infection, liver disease, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells in the blood) or rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscle fibers)”he warns.
And when does urine become clear? The nephrologist also warns that staying hydrated is important, but excessive water consumption can also be a problem, leading to hyponatremia (when sodium levels in the blood become very low). In these cases, the urine becomes transparent. “Maintaining a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and controlling underlying conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, contribute to kidney health,” guides the specialist.
Diagnosis
To diagnose whether there is a problem with the kidneys, doctors ask the patient for urine and blood tests. “Urine tests, such as urinalysis, such as albumin-creatinine ratio and microalbuminuria, are also very important to detect abnormalities and assess the speed of progression of kidney disease,” adds Dr. Rene.
When collecting urineit is necessary to avoid contamination so as not to affect the result of the exam. “Contaminations during urine collection can include bacteria from the skin, dust, residues of soap or other cleaning products, among others. These can introduce foreign microorganisms to the sample, leading to inaccurate results in urine culture tests, for example. They can interfere with test results, distorting chemical and microbiological analyses”says Vitoria Repula, Scientific Advisor at FirstLab.
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