7 Things Your Urine Says About You

culled from:prevention.com
When you hit the restroom, do you regularly turn around and give what's in the bowl a quick once-over before flushing? If you answered no, well, it's time to start. That's because the color, odor, and consistency of your urine—not to mention the way it feels when it's streaming out of you—can clue you in to what's going on in your body. Here, seven warning signs to be on the lookout for every time you go:
It Has a Sweet Scent
No, this has nothing to do with your dessert habits. "Sweet-smelling urine is often an important clue in the diagnosis of diabetes," says Holly Phillips, MD, a women's health specialist and medical contributor for CBS2 News in New York City. And for people who know they have diabetes, the sweet smell can indicate that their blood-sugar level is not as under control as it should be.
You Notice Cloudiness
Consider it a tip-off to the presence of bacteria that could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI). "The cloudiness comes from the excretion of bacteria and leukocytes, which are cells that fight infection," says Phillips. Even if you otherwise feel fine and have no UTI symptoms, pay attention to this; it could be the only sign that an infection has taken hold.
There's a Pink or Reddish Color
Though red-purple hued veggies like beets and blackberries might be the culprit, the color can also indicate the presence of blood in your pee—not a good sign. That's a symptom of a UTI, kidney stones, or in rare cases even bladder or kidney cancer, says Phillips.
It Smells Foul
Urine isn't supposed to smell like roses, but if the stench is pretty foul (think: rotten fruit or the bottom of a pond), it's your bladder's alarming way of telling you there's an infection, says Phillips. And like cloudy urine, it could be the only clue, so don’t blow it off.
You Notice a Burning Sensation
Stinging or even pain while you pee can be caused by a UTI or an STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, says Phillips.
That Feeling That You've Gotta Go Just Won't Go Away
This is a classic sign of a UTI, which causes the lining of your bladder and urethra to become inflamed and irritated, leaving you with the feeling of constantly having to urinate, says Phillips. It can also be a symptom of interstitial cystitis, a hard-to-diagnose condition that results in chronic bladder pressure or pain.
You're Peeing Way More Than You Used To
You might be pregnant. Seriously, it's an early sign triggered by hormonal changes that speed up blood flow from the kidneys, says Phillips. If you're positively sure you're not expecting and you also can't blame it on an uptick in your consumption of alcohol or caffeinated drinks (caffeine and alcohol can make you pee more frequently), check in with your M.D. This could also signal diabetes or a tumor.