Highlights in this issue
◎ What does the abnormal smell, color, frequency and other symptoms of urine reflect?
◎ The root cause behind abnormal urination is mostly blockage
◎ How to make urination return to normal
We have to go to the toilet many times every day to solve one of the “three emergencies” of “urinary urgency”, but few of us pay attention to the situation of our own urination. The characteristics and frequency of urine are actually a very intuitive mirror of human health. By observing its condition, we can be alert to various diseases.
So from what aspects should we observe our urine? What possible health risks do the abnormalities displayed in these aspects represent? Today’s article, Dianhetang, will introduce it in detail by category for readers. Friends who don’t have time to read it can save it and read it later when they have time.
Urine reflects your health problems in 6 major ways
1、Urine smell
| Normal | ||
| Almost no smell | ||
| Abnormal | ||
| Abnormal smell | Reason | Possible problems |
| Ammonia odor/rancid smell | When bacterial infection or urine retention occurs, bacteria in the urine breed and decompose urea, releasing ammonia, resulting in an unpleasant ammonia smell or rancid or fishy smell. | Disease factors:①Cystitis;②Prostatic hyperplasia;③ Neurogenic bladder dysfunction;④ Fibrosis of bladder neck;⑤Certain kidney diseases, etc.; Non-disease factors:① Drink less water and have thick urine;② Long-term excessive intake of meat and protein; |
| Rotten apple smell | Acetone is one of the components of ketone bodies due to gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and the production of ketone bodies due to relative or absolute deficiency of insulin. The smell of acetone is the smell of rotten apples. | Diabetic ketoacidosis; |
| Sulfur smell | Too much sulfur-containing substances in the body may cause urine to smell like sulfur. | Disease factors:Urinary tract diseases such as urinary tract infections; Non-disease factors:①Taking Chinese medicine prescriptions containing sulfur;② Excessive intake of foods containing sulfur amino acids, such as asparagus; |
| Garlic smell | After organophosphorus pesticides enter the body, in addition to binding to acetylcholinesterase in tissues and inactivating cholinesterase, the chemicals can also enter the blood circulation and cause an increase in abnormal components in the blood. These components will gradually produce toxic substances after metabolism and decomposition by the liver. The taste of these toxic metabolites is similar to the taste of garlic. | Disease factors:Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning; Non-disease factors:Excessive or long-term intake of garlic; |
| Maple syrup flavor | Branched-chain amino acids due to defects in metabolic enzymes in the body（Mainly include leucine, isoleucine amino acid, and valine. These three amino acids cannot be produced by the human body on their own and are obtained from food.）Problems with degradation and metabolism cause branched-chain amino acids and their metabolic intermediates (Three ketoacids) to accumulate in the body, causing diseases. These three ketoacids are excreted in the patient’s urine, giving the urine a sweet caramel smell, similar to the smell of maple syrup. | Maple Disease; |
2、Urine color
| Normal | ||
| Colorless or light yellow | ||
| Abnormal | ||
| Unusual color | Reason | Possible problems |
| Dark Yellow | When urine is highly concentrated and contains high levels of urinary flavin, it will appear dark yellow.Or an infection in the urinary tract will reduce the filtration rate of urine reabsorption, causing yellow urine.And if the urethral mucosa is damaged, it will cause an increase in red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine, resulting in yellow urine.Or the urine contains excess amounts of certain pigments. | Disease factors:① Urinary tract infections, urethritis and other urinary system diseases;②Prostate disease;③Jaundice disease;④Kidney disease;⑤Dehydration caused by fever and vomiting; Non-disease factors:① Drinking too little water;② Intake of excessive amounts of carrots, pumpkins, citrus and other foods;③ Taking large doses of vitamin B2, some anti-inflammatory drugs, some laxatives and some chemotherapy drugs;④Dehydration caused by strenuous exercise; |
| Reddish Brown | Due to inflammation, injury, and destruction of immune complexes, the integrity of the glomerular filtration membrane is reduced, the permeability is increased, and the renal tubules are damaged, causing some red blood cells in the kidney to enter the urine, causing the urine to appear as a flesh-wash color or Blood color; when there is damage to the ureter or urethra, such as stones or tumors, it can also cause blood to flow out with the urine, resulting in red urine.Or urine containing excess pigment can also cause red urine. | Disease factors:① Urinary tract infection and bleeding;② Nephritis and kidney stones;③Cystitis;④ Diseases of organs adjacent to the urinary tract, such as acute/chronic prostatitis, prostate cancer, vaginitis, acute appendicitis, cervical cancer, rectum or colon cancer, etc.;⑤ Blood diseases such as sepsis, leukemia, etc.;⑥Certain immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.;⑦ Excessive heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc. in the body damage the renal tubules; Non-disease factors:① Intake of sulfa drugs, anti-cancer drugs, certain antibiotics or analgesics;② Intake of foods containing more red pigments such as red pitaya, beets, etc. |
| White | White urine is divided into chyluria and lipuria, crystalluria and pyuria. Chyluria and faturia: Because the chylofluid (liquid after fat saponification) absorbed by the intestine cannot be drained from the normal lymphatic vessels into the blood circulation, it can only flow back into the lymphatic vessels of the urinary system, causing the lymphatic vessels in the urinary system to Increased blood pressure and rupture of lymphatic varicose fluid cause chyle fluid to overflow into the urine. Crystalluria: mostly occurs in children and is common in winter. Urine contains a large amount of phosphate or urinary hydrochloric acid, which easily precipitates after being left alone, thus appearing white in appearance, which is a normal physiological phenomenon. Pyuria: caused by severe purulent infection of the urinary tract. When the urine contains a large number of pus cells, inflammatory exudates or bacteria, the urine can appear white. | Disease factors:①Chyluria:Filariasis, perirenal lymphatic obstruction, etc.; ② Fatty urine:Fractures, renal syndrome, etc.; ③Crystalluria:Urinary system diseases, kidney diseases, abnormal urine pH, temperature changes, metabolic disorders, etc.; ④ Purulent urine:Purulent infections of the urinary system, such as pyelonephritis, cystitis, prostatitis, renal tuberculosis, etc.; |
3、Urine Output
| Normal | |
| Normal urine output(daily) | Average urine output: 1000~1500 ml;Normal urine output range: 500~2000 ml; |
| Normal urine output(every time) | 200~400mlCorresponding urine output for slight urge to urinate: about 150 ml;A strong urge to urinate corresponds to urine output: about 250 ml; |
| Abnormal | |
| Abnormal urine output(daily) | Possible problems |
| Polyuria＞2500ml | Disease factors:①Diabetes;②Diabetes insipidus;③Hypercalcemia;④ Kidney problems such as renal polyuria and acute renal failure; Non-disease factors:① Intake of excessive water or water-containing food;② Eating too much salt or too much sugar;③Taking certain diuretic drugs; |
| Oliguria<400ml | Disease factors:① Urinary system infection;② Urinary tract tumors or stones;③Prostate disease;④Kidney disease;⑤Dehydration caused by heart failure, etc.; Non-disease factors:No or too little fluid intake; |
| Anuria<100ml | Disease factors:①Acute prostatitis;② Anuria caused by diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer;③Kidney problems such as kidney stones, acute kidney injury or chronic renal failure; |
| Abnormal urine output(every time) | Possible problems |
| ＞500ml | Disease factors:①Diabetes;②Chronic nephritis;③Hyperthyroidism;④Diabetes insipidus; Non-disease factors:① Intake of too much water or food containing water;②Hold urine; |
| ＜100ml | Disease factors:①Prostate disease;② Urinary system infection;③Kidney disease; Non-disease factors:① Not taking in or taking in too little water;② Intake of too much sodium-containing food;③Excessive sweating during strenuous exercise; |
4、Frequency of urination
| Normal | |
| Normal urinary frequency | Daytime: 4~8 timesNight: 0~2 times |
| Abnormal | |
| Abnormal urinary frequency | Possible problems |
| During the day > 8 timesNighttime > 2 times | Disease factors:①Prostate disease;② Local infections such as urethritis, diabetes insipidus, etc.;③Diabetes;④Hyperthyroidism;⑤Kidney disease;⑥Overactive bladder, reduced bladder capacity, cystitis, etc.;⑦Nervous frequent urination; Non-disease factors:① Intake of too much water or food containing water;②The temperature decreases and sweating decreases;③ Emotional tension and high mental pressure;④ Taking antibiotics, diuretics, antispasmodics, antidepressants, central nervous system stimulants and other drugs; |
5、Urinary power
| Normal | |
| The characteristics of normal urination are:There is no need to strain to urinate;No interruption or dripping sensation during urination;There will be no feeling of incomplete urination after urinating;The normal value of the average urine flow rate is usually 15~25 ml/second, and normal people can generally empty urine within 20 seconds;Generally, there will be no urine leakage or urinary incontinence; | |
| Abnormal | |
| Abnormal urinary and bowel movements characteristics | Possible problems |
| Thin urinary line, dribbling of urine, weak urination, incontinence of urination, and taking too long to urinate | ①Prostate disease;② Neurogenic bladder, bladder inlet sclerosis or fibrosis, etc.;③Urethritis; |
| Urinary Incontinence | Disease factors:①Prostate disease;②Abnormal urethral sphincter function;③Abnormal bladder function;④Female pelvic floor muscle relaxation;⑤ Urinary tract infection; Non-disease factors:① Emotional tension;② Holding urine excessively;③The abdomen is squeezed by external force; |
6、Other
| Abnormal urination | Possible problems |
| Dysuria | ① Urinary tract infection;②Prostate infection or prostatic hyperplasia;③Kidney infection;④ Urinary tract stones;⑤Appendiceal abscess, small intestinal diverticulitis, etc.; |
| Piss Foam (Under normal circumstances, a small amount of foam will be produced during urination and will disappear soon) | ①Diabetes;②Kidney disease;③Liver or biliary tract disease;④ Bladder or urinary tract disease; |
Analysis of abnormal urine
Abnormal urination can correspond to many health problems, but if it is caused by non-genitourinary system diseases or various systemic diseases, in addition to abnormal urination, patients are often accompanied by systemic symptoms, such as pain and fever in non-urinary organs and parts. , weakness, skin itching, dizziness and nausea, rapid heartbeat, thirst, etc., and abnormalities in urination are mostly manifested in abnormal urine color and smell.
If the discomfort symptoms are concentrated in the lower urinary tract area, and are mostly urinary symptoms such as frequent urination and urgency, poor urination, weak urination, urinary incontinence, painful urination, etc., and are not accompanied by obvious systemic symptoms, it is more likely that the urethra and bladder Caused by diseases of urogenital system organs such as prostate and prostate.
Urinary abnormalities are more common urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and incontinence caused by various diseases in the lower urinary tract area; strange-smelling urine, hematuria, etc. are less common than the former, and 98% Most of the hematuria is caused by urinary system diseases, and only 2% of hematuria is caused by systemic diseases or lesions of adjacent organs of the urinary system. If urination is abnormal, first consider problems with urinary system organs such as the urethra, prostate, and bladder.(acute infection or chronic disease, etc.).
Guide to dealing with abnormal urination
If any of the above-mentioned abnormalities appear in your urine, you can follow the following steps to deal with it:
① Eliminate various non-disease interfering factors;
② Observe for 3-5 days to see if the discomfort symptoms can be relieved on their own;
③ If interfering factors are eliminated and there is no improvement after a few days of observation, please seek medical advice immediately.
The root cause of urinary problems is stasis
Rule out rare urinary abnormalities due to systemic problems. Urinary abnormalities caused by different diseases such as urinary system diseases, prostate diseases, kidney problems, sphincter dysfunction, etc., appear to be caused by different diseases, but behind them there is a common key pathogenesis – stasis.
How to understand it? “Stagnation and blockage” are the root causes of many diseases. First of all, blockage will occur during the normal metabolic process and aging process. However, long-term stimulation from the harsh external environment or the continued influence of bad living habits will aggravate the blockage.
The body, from cells to tissues and organs, needs nutrients, Qi and blood nourishment. Once blockage occurs, as the blockage develops and intensifies, cells and organs will lack nourishment, and due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other toxins, the intracellular environment will deteriorate. The (micro)environment within tissue or organ spaces or ducts deteriorates, leading to functional abnormalities. The compression and irritation caused by blockage to tissues and nerves will cause pain, chronic systemic inflammation and other problems.
So what harm does blockage cause to the body?
When the blockage is mild, it can lead to sub-health problems such as sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, sexual dysfunction, chloasma, acne, hair loss, back pain, lower abdominal pain, pelvic effusion, joint effusion, etc.;
If the blockage worsens, it may cause various chronic diseases such as prostate disease, urinary system disease, gynecological disease, gout, cysts, and stones.
Determining the nature of abnormal urination from the characteristics of stasis
① Stagnation will compress tissues and organs, causing spaces such as the urethra to be squeezed, leading to symptoms of thin urine lines and difficulty in urination;
② The stimulation and compression of stasis will lead to increased bladder irritation and symptoms of frequent urination;
③ Stagnation stimulates and compresses nerves, causing pain;
④ Stagnation will cause poor microcirculation of the detrusor and sphincter, resulting in obstruction of their blood supply, insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen, muscle relaxation or edema, and impaired function. The toxins in stasis stimulate and compress nerves, leading to muscle dysfunction and symptoms such as urine leakage and urinary incontinence.
They all have stasis as the fundamental pathogenesis, so why do they develop into various different symptoms and diseases?
This is mainly due to the difference in the specific location where the siltation occurs and the severity of the siltation. Although the external manifestations vary, in essence these discomforts and diseases are caused by blockage, compression, irritation of tissues and organs, and obstruction of normal circulation. (Note: Acute infections of the urinary tract and other urinary systems are also common factors leading to abnormal urination such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination, and need to be distinguished and eliminated)
How to get peeing back to normal
Some urinary abnormalities will not affect life in the short term, but the problems behind them either involve urogenital diseases or other more serious diseases, so even if it is not now, these problems will show up one day in the future. Huge “lethal power”. Therefore, abnormal urination must be taken seriously!
So how to make “problem urination” return to normal? For urinary abnormalities caused by non-urinary system diseases or systemic diseases, the treatment of the corresponding diseases must be mainly relied on to improve or eliminate these abnormalities.
In this article, Dianhetang will focus on urinary abnormalities caused by non-disease factors, and how to solve the more common urinary abnormalities caused by various diseases caused by blockage.
Improve living habits and adjust mentality
Focus on adjusting these living habits
There are thousands of bad living habits, among which the ones most closely related to abnormal urination are:
① Drinking water amount: People without special kidney and metabolic diseases need to ensure a daily drinking volume of about 1500~1800 ml of water (sip slowly and slowly). If you exercise, you need to supplement additional water (including electrolytes);
② Holding in urine: Holding in urine can easily lead to bladder dysfunction and infections of the bladder, prostate, and urethra;
③ Heavy diet: A diet that is too salty or too sweet can easily lead to problems such as oliguria and edema; spicy food can also cause more irritants in the urine, thus damaging the urethra;
④ Sitting for a long time: Long-term straddling or sitting will compress the organs of the urogenital system, causing local congestion, poor circulation, aggravating congestion, and causing various symptoms of urinary discomfort.
Adjust emotion
When you are emotionally stressed, the human body will be in a state of sympathetic nerve excitement, which will affect the nerve center that controls urination, leading to the feeling of wanting to urinate. At the same time, the kidneys will also lose their ability to absorb water, leading to increased urine secretion. , resulting in excessive urination. Therefore, you should pay attention to improving your living environment and try to reduce all kinds of things in your life that can stimulate tension.
Adhere to daily desilting
Whether it is abnormalities in urination, stool, digestion, sleep, etc., most of them are just a mirror of health problems. We all need to develop the awareness to inquire into the essence through the appearance, otherwise it is easy to be limited to paying attention to and solving the symptoms.
As mentioned above, urinary abnormalities are often caused by problems with the urinary system, prostate, etc., and the root cause of such problems is stasis. Therefore, if you want to keep your pee clean, smooth and regular, you must solve the culprit behind the abnormality – stasis.
However, desilting is not something that can be achieved or said to be thorough simply by maintaining good living habits and insisting on appropriate exercise; and it is difficult for nutrients in general food to achieve a systematic and complete effect of removing stasis.
Based on more than two thousand years of traditional medical wisdom and with the help of modern medical perspectives, we can summarize several traditional Chinese medicine raw materials that are particularly outstanding in dispersing stagnation, activating blood circulation, diuresis, diuresis, clearing away heat, and tonifying:
Bee pollen, dandelion, Houttuynia cordata, purslane, poria, platycodon, peach kernel
Among them, bee pollen is known as an “all-round nutritional food”. The last six common plant raw materials are all items that have the same origin as medicine and food and are listed in Appendix 1 of the 《List of Items that Are Both Food and Medicines》 in the 《Notice on Further Standardizing the Management of Health Food Raw Materials》 published by the Ministry of Health. They are suitable for daily use.
These raw materials are based on the principle of “mainly clearing away silt, supplementing by dispersing stasis and replenishing”, and combining clearing and replenishing. Combining them together through scientific proportions, starting from the relationship between the normal physiological function of the human body, the immune mechanism and the occurrence and development of diseases, focusing on the common characteristics and patterns of diseases, multi-components and multi-targets, combining blood circulation, swelling, pus discharge, and drainage. It can be used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, heat-clearing, diuretic, etc. In order to systematically achieve a better effect of removing silt and blockage and improving function, it is especially suitable to assist the public in achieving daily silt removal and health care.
Regularly preventing and clearing stasis[1] (refer to the bottom of the article for the characteristics of the “three stages of silt removal”) is equivalent to keeping a distance from various disease symptoms caused by stasis. Moreover, if the impact of stasis on the body is relieved, the health level can be further improved on the basis of preventing diseases, so that the body can always be in a smooth and energetic state.
Knowledge expansion
[1]3 stages of clearing stasis
Because stasis occurs throughout everyone’s life, and the degree varies depending on a person’s age and living habits, so in the daily desilting process, we need to understand the characteristics of desilting at different stages:
To remove stasis more thoroughly and comprehensively, it is necessary to combine dissipation and replenishment. However, at different stages of stasis severity, the main effects of this effective method of removing stasis will also have some differences in stages:
Stage 1: Relieve irritation and oppression and eliminate most symptoms
The effect of clearing stasis at this stage is mainly reflected in removing toxins such as metabolites and secretions from stagnant organs and tissues, and improving microcirculation/microenvironment. This relieves the stimulation and compression of nerves and tissues and eliminates most of the various symptoms caused by stasis.
Stage 2: Improving functions and stably eliminating symptoms
The stasis-clearing effect at this stage is mainly reflected in further optimizing the internal environment, improving the body’s self-healing ability, and restoring body functions. Thereby stably eliminating a small number of remaining mild symptoms and improving systemic chronic inflammation.
Stage 3: Prevent stasis and maintain a healthy state of smooth vitality
The desilting effect at this stage is mainly reflected in preventing the occurrence of stasis, improving the body’s circulatory metabolism, and strengthening the immune system, thereby preventing the occurrence of diseases and keeping the body in a smooth, energetic and healthy state.
