There’s usually a pretty basic explanation for urine that smells a bit different. “It reflects the life you’re living.” Bottom line “This is all completely normal,” says Dr. Various medications and supplements can contribute a specific scent to pee. Speaking of brews, alcohol can also make your pee smell. Coffee drinkers also may recognize a certain brewed aroma during a bathroom break. Brussels sprouts, fish, cumin, onions and garlic also can add a certain zest to urine. Fast fact: Your body converts an acid in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds, which creates that pungent result. Asparagus is infamous for giving urine a pretty strong sulfur smell, for instance. (Dehydration also turns your urine a darker color, but that’s a different discussion.) That creates a stronger smell, explains Dr. The percentage of water in your pee drops and the filtered waste takes a more prominent role. That said, there are several innocuous reasons your pee may smell: The remaining amount is mostly waste products - calcium, nitrogen, potassium and more - which get filtered by your kidneys. The reason why is simple: It’s about 95% water. Why else does urine smell?įor the most part, urine carries very little odor. Tyrosinemia is exceedingly rare, but if your infant’s urine is foul-smelling, you should talk to your pediatrician anyway, just to be safe. The resulting tyrosine buildup can cause a wide range of severe complications. Infants with this (extremely rare) genetic disorder can’t break down an amino acid called tyrosine, which is foundational to most proteins. The opposite is true of tyrosinemia, which has three distinct types (type I, II, and III). While it’s an unpleasant condition, it isn’t especially dangerous. This condition can be inherited or acquired. The unfortunate result: Pee, breath and sweat that smells like, you guessed it: rotting fish. Trimethylaminuria, also known as TAMU or fish odor syndrome, is a rare condition in which your body is unable to process trimethylamine - which, as it happens, is a particularly stinky chemical. But if you haven’t recently taken a trip to Flavortown, foul-smelling urine could indicate one of two rare metabolic disorders. There are plenty of innocuous reasons for pee to have notes of sulfur, like asparagus, garlic or onions. The underlying message here? Urine that smells sweet shouldn’t be ignored. This rare, life-threatening metabolic disorder prevents the body from breaking down specific amino acids found in food. In children, particularly newborns, sweet-smelling tinkle might indicate maple syrup urine disease. The sweet smell comes from your body unloading excess glucose, or sugars. Pee with a sugary or fruity fragrance can serve as a warning sign of diabetes or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), says Dr. If it lingers, though, get checked by a medical professional. So, if the smell pops up and disappears quickly, there’s little reason for concern. (The symptoms here are similar to a UTI, with one noticeable difference: The addition of a pus discharge.)Īn ammonia-like odor can also be linked to dehydration and certain foods and vitamins, as mentioned previously. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia.Other potential causes of urine that carry the whiff of ammonia include: Women and people assigned female at birth and older adults are more prone to getting the infection. UTIs are pretty common, sending approximately 10 million Americans to the doctor every year for antibiotic treatment, says Dr. If you have multiple symptoms, schedule a visit with a healthcare provider. A fever and mental confusion are other tell-tale accompanying signs. Peeing may also become painful - a symptom made even worse by the fact that you may feel the need to urinate more often. Urine showing signs of a UTI also may be cloudy or even a bit bloody. The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder. If you detect a hint of ammonia in your urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bajic.įor instance: Pee that smells like ammonia But sometimes, that malodorous stream serves as a warning sign of an underlying health issue that deserves attention, notes Dr. Most urine odor can be explained simply by diet, vitamins, medications and hydration levels. Let’s learn how to sniff out the clues with urologist Petar Bajic, MD. PolicyĬonsider it a whiff of information, as the smell of your urine can offer important insight into what’s happening inside of your body. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
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