Dark Yellow Urine Causes

Urine is the liquid excretory product that mainly contains water and water-soluble waste compounds, generated in the metabolic processes taking place within the living cells. Kidney is the main organ in the human excretory system, that filters blood to extract the water-soluble waste materials, which, along with water are expelled from the body through the urethra, by a process, known as micturition. The excretory system which is concerned with discharging this liquid waste, consists of kidney, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra. Kidney is mainly concerned with filtering the blood to extract urine, which then reaches the urinary bladder through the ureter. The urinary bladder retains the urine for a short while until it is expelled through the urethra.

The water-soluble waste materials found in urine are mainly nitrogenous products, like urea, uric acid, creatinine and hormones, enzymes and mineral salts. Urine that is discharged from our body is basically a transparent, colorless or pale yellow colored liquid which is slightly acidic in nature. The characteristic pale yellow color of urine is due to the presence of the pigment, known as urochrome. Changes in the color of urine from pale yellow to dark yellow can be caused by several factors. Here is a brief discussion about dark yellow urine causes.

Dark Yellow Urine Causes

The color of urine can sometimes serve as an important health indicator. Changes in the color of urine can be caused by several factors, which can range from inadequate fluid intake and consumption of some particular foods, to certain serious diseases. The main causes for dark yellow urine are enlisted below.

• Dehydration: Dehydration is the most common condition that can produce yellow urine. Yellow urine can be a sure sign that you are not drinking enough water, for which the urine becomes concentrated with waste material and transforms from a colorless liquid to a dark yellow colored one. You may also smell a peculiar odor in the urine discharged, due to the high concentration of nitrogenous waste products.
• Intake of Certain Foods and Drugs: Another common reason behind temporary changes in urine color is consumption of some foods. As for example, asparagus can impart a dark yellow color to urine, while consumption of blackberries and rhubarb can give it a red tinge. Similarly, consuming a large amount of beets can make urine to appear reddish-purple. Dark yellow coloration of urine can also result from the presence of high level of B complex vitamins, which belong to the group of water-soluble vitamins. Similarly, vitamin C can impart orange or bright yellow color to urine. Medications that can cause yellow-brown colored urine include nitrofurantoin, sulfamethoxazole and quinine derivatives.
• Diseases and Disorders: Other than medications and foods that mainly cause temporary darkness of urine, persistent abnormal coloration of urine can be attributed to some diseases related to liver, kidney and urinary bladder. One of the most common diseases that can cause dark yellow urine is jaundice. Another condition is hemolytic anemia, which a special type of anemia caused by the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells. The dead red blood cells are then excreted along with urine, which gives it a dark yellow to brown color. In the same way, hematuria can give a red or dark yellow tinge to urine, due to the presence of red blood cells. Hematuria can be caused by kidney stones, gallstones as well as infection of the urinary bladder.

Apart from dark yellow color, urine can turn orange, brown and greenish due to several other underlying conditions. As for example, urine may turn brown due to liver diseases like hepatitis and melanoma skin cancer. It can be an indicator of copper poisoning as well. But, like yellow urine, temporary brownness of urine can also be caused by consumption of certain foods like fava beans and medications like laxatives. Similarly, greenish urine can be caused either by the presence of excess vitamin B or diseases like urinary tract infection and bile problems. On the other hand, blue urine can be a symptom of bacterial infection and hypercalcemia. Muddy or cloudy and murky urine along with a bad smell typically indicates a urinary tract infection.

Dark Yellow Urine Symptoms

Generally, dark yellow urine may not be accompanied by any other symptom, if any serious disease is not responsible for this condition. But, if it is caused by the infection in the urinary tract, one can smell a strong and offensive odor. Apart from this, one may experience the tendency to urinate frequently and a burning sensation while urinating. Infection can also produce fever and abdominal pain in some individuals.

Before coming to any conclusion regarding the changes in urine coloration, it is very important to pay attention to the foods that have been consumed recently as well as the amount of fluid intake. This is because, it has been observed that temporary abnormal coloration of urine is most commonly caused by the consumption of certain foods and dehydration. Water plays a very important role in draining the impurities out of our body through urine. Hence, keep yourself properly hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily.

But, if your urine is dark yellow consistently for a considerable time period and you can also smell a bad odor, then it is better to seek medical attention. A physician would carry out a proper study about the symptoms and the medical history of the patient to diagnose the condition. In addition to this, several tests and examinations like blood test, liver function test, examination of urine sample, urinalysis as well as ultrasound of both kidneys and urinary bladder can be required, to identify the specific dark yellow urine causes. The results of these diagnostic tests would, in turn, determine the course of treatment for the dark yellow urine.