Change in the color of urine in the stronger sex can be due to various reasons. Often the triggers are certain foods and alcohol consumption. However, in some cases, dark urine in men signals a pathological condition. What affects the color of urine in men and in what cases will a mandatory visit to the doctor be required?
When not to worry?
If the urine turns dark, non-pathological causes should not be ruled out. You can detect a change in color in the morning. During the night, urine accumulates the maximum amount of pigments that affect its color change. Often it can darken due to dehydration. This happens during intense physical exertion or under the influence of high temperatures. During this period, active sweating occurs, which leads to loss of moisture. Dehydration can also manifest itself due to insufficient fluid intake. If the body loses moisture,the excretion of urine is reduced, as a result of which it is oversaturated with the colored pigments that are present in it.
The causes of dark urine in men can also be related to the consumption of certain foods and drinks. Pigments in food can cause urine to take on a different color. The same effect is observed against the background of taking certain medications. If the urine has changed color, do not sound the alarm. First you need to analyze the situation, remember what foods, drinks and medicines were used the day before.
Natural causes of urine color changes
To find out why dark urine in men, you need to consider a number of factors that can lead to such a phenomenon. Urine acquires a yellow tint due to the presence of urobilin in it. If a person has no he alth problems, the urine will have a light yellow color. After night, the concentration of the coloring pigment increases, so the urine may darken in the morning, and after drinking enough water during the day, it will become transparent again.
When a change in the color of urine is detected, it is necessary to analyze your diet. Foods containing natural dyes can affect this. We are talking about carrots, beets, legumes. As for the beets, they can cause the urine to take on a pink or reddish tint. Checking whether such a change is due to the consumption of a vegetable is quite simple. It is necessary to collect a dose of urine in a clean container, add a small amount to the biological fluidbaking soda, 1 tbsp. l. table vinegar and mix thoroughly. If the urine has changed color due to eating beets, it will first turn white and then turn pink again.
Darkening of urine after alcohol
Dark urine in men after alcohol is not uncommon. It can make itself felt even after a single intake of alcohol. Large doses of alcoholic beverages can provoke nephronecrosis, which manifests itself not only in the form of an excess of protein in the urine, but also in the presence of blood impurities in it, which can be seen with the naked eye. Such a symptom should definitely alert, since it can be a signal of a serious pathology of the kidneys.
Pathological causes
Dark urine in men may be due to dehydration in violation of the digestive tract. In this case, we are talking about diarrhea and vomiting. Various factors can cause this phenomenon, but in most cases this is observed against the background of poisoning. The dark color of urine can also signal a disease such as prostatitis. This disease can develop asymptomatically for a long period. Men over 40 years of age are more at risk.
If you turn to the doctors in time, you will be able to overcome the disease quickly enough. In addition, urine hyperchromia (darkening) can be provoked by:
- liver pathology;
- urolithiasis;
- cystitis;
- kidney failure;
- kidney cancer;
- hepatitis;
- gallstone disease;
- pyelonephritis;
- cholestasis;
- poisoning the body with chemicals.
Causes of dark urine in men may be due to other diseases. Often, during urination, pain can disturb. Annoying also pain in the lumbar region and sacrum. An increase in body temperature and the occurrence of a feverish state are not excluded. With inflammation or narrowing of the lumen of the urethral canal from the genitals, discharge in the form of mucus with traces of pus or blood may be observed. If these symptoms appear, it is extremely dangerous to ignore them, since irreversible consequences are possible.
When is it necessary to see a doctor?
Urine dark brown in men may be due to the presence in it of substances such as bilirubin, red blood cells. The shade is also affected by traces of pus and mucus. In most cases, a change in the color of urine is accompanied by a number of other symptoms. It can be pain in the right hypochondrium, urination disorders, discomfort in the pubic area, lower back.
If the problem is in the liver
The liver is the organ in which the main processes of decay and processing of waste products take place. When its work is disrupted, these substances enter the bloodstream and the kidneys, which are unable to process them. This entails blockage of the lumen of the bile ducts, after which bilirubin enters the kidneys, from where it enters the urine.
This is what can cause dark urinein men. An identical process starts when liver tissue is damaged, which is due to cirrhosis, tumor, hepatitis. With such a pathological condition, the patient experiences an increase in temperature, yellowing of the skin, and the color of the eye sclera changes.
If the problem is in the kidneys
Why dark urine in men can only be found out after visiting a doctor. Its shade depends on the work of the kidneys. The main reasons for changing its color in kidney pathology are:
- Pyelonephritis. The urine contains impurities of pus, in connection with which it not only darkens, but also becomes cloudy.
- Glomerulonephritis. With this disease, fluid accumulates in the kidney, blood clots appear, which lead to the fact that the urine becomes dark brown or burgundy.
- Movement of kidney stones. As a result of trauma to the ureter and kidney, dark urine is observed in a man. If such a phenomenon has led to injury to the mucous membrane of the urethra, traces of bright scarlet blood will be observed in the urine.
How to solve the problem?
If the color of urine has become dark due to the use of alcohol, tea, coloring foods or medicines, its condition is normalized immediately after the coloring pigment is removed from the body. Changes of such a plan do not pose a he alth hazard if they are not characterized by unpleasant symptoms. When dehydrated, no matter what the cause is, the patient will need oral or intravenous rehydration.
If the urine has acquired a dark color and at the same time there is a pungent odor and a number of characteristic symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor. Self-medication can lead to serious complications that require persistent and difficult treatment. Moreover, many diseases that are not treated in a timely manner can be fatal.
To find out why men have dark urine, it is necessary to undergo a series of diagnostic tests. The treatment regimen will depend on the disease that affected the change in urine color. The patient may be given outpatient treatment or a decision will be made to place him in an inpatient unit.
Principles of Therapy
The treatment regimen depends on what disease caused the darkening of the urine. The general principles of treatment include the restoration of water balance, the use of drugs with antibacterial action. If dark cloudy urine is observed in men, which is caused by liver diseases, drugs are prescribed to improve microcirculation inside the cells, normalize protein and fat metabolism. The patient may also be put on drips of ascorbic acid to eliminate the effects of toxins on the liver.
Severe pathologies may require a liver transplant. If a man has been diagnosed with kidney disease (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), treatment is carried out in a hospital. Therapy involves taking antibacterial and immunosuppressive drugs. In case of serious illness, hemodialysis is prescribed.
The treatment of nephrolithiasis is based on the use of drugs that help dissolve stones. In case of complications, surgical intervention can not be dispensed with. Diseases of the genital organs, as a rule, are infectious in nature, so the patient is prescribed drugs with an antibacterial effect. In case of detection of prostate adenoma, they resort to transurethral resection or adenomectomy. Such manipulations involve the removal of excess tissue that leads to squeezing of the urethra.
In diseases such as cystitis and urethritis, treatment is reduced to the use of antibacterial drugs and immunomodulators. In addition, antiseptic preparations for injection into the urethra can be used. If conservative methods of treatment do not have a therapeutic effect, the doctor may decide to perform an epicystomy.
Prevention
Dark urine in men can be associated with various diseases. A number of non-pathological factors can also lead to a change in its color. To prevent this phenomenon, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- visit urologist regularly (twice a year);
- minimize coffee and tea consumption;
- give up alcohol;
- adhere to the principles of proper nutrition (include cereals, dairy products, fresh vegetables, fruits, low-fat varieties of poultry and fish in the diet);
- do not eat junk food (fast food, canned food, smoked meats, etc.);
- keep drinking regimen (drink at least 2 liters of waterdaily);
- pay attention to physical activity;
- do not deviate from personal hygiene;
- do not have sex without protection;
- if you notice a change in the color of urine, consult a doctor.
Conclusion
Different factors can affect the color of urine. If a change in the color of urine is detected, you should not worry about this. First you need to think about whether foods and drinks that have a high concentration of coloring pigments, various medicines and alcohol were consumed the day before. If such a phenomenon is observed every day and at the same time other symptoms characteristic of certain diseases have arisen, one cannot do without the help of a urologist. After visiting a doctor, it will be possible to find out why men have dark urine, and begin the treatment of a particular disease. In any case, when changing the shade of urine, it is imperative to control the situation in order to exclude possible pathologies.
