Amber, brown or red urine can be a symptom of kidney failure. Patients should see a doctor early to be diagnosed with the cause and treated promptly.
Urine can change color for many reasons such as dehydration, particularly colored food or drinks. Kidney health is also reflected in urine color.
The kidneys are responsible for removing liquid waste from the body, keeping a balance of minerals, salt and water. If the kidneys are weakened, harmful fluids and wastes can build up in the body, causing urine to contain too much protein, toxins, and blood. This can cause the urine to change color, becoming darker, brown or even reddish. Foamy urine may be due to protein content, which is a potential sign of kidney failure.
Many people with kidney disease initially have no symptoms. As kidney failure progresses, in addition to obvious changes in urine color, other symptoms may appear including frequent urination, leg swelling, difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, especially at night, and extreme fatigue. , frequent nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, seizures, coma.
Additionally, sweet-smelling urine can be a symptom of diabetes, due to glucose accumulating in the urine. Diabetes is a common cause of kidney failure.
Kidney failure patients undergoing hemodialysis at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Image:Thang Vu
The risk of kidney failure increases with age. Groups at higher risk are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a family history of kidney failure.
Treatment for kidney failure depends on the specific cause and condition. Lifestyle changes can help manage kidney health and related health conditions. Patients should eat a balanced, healthy diet, consume less than 6,000mg of salt/day, reduce protein intake, exercise at least 150 minutes per week, and quit or avoid alcohol and tobacco.
In people with acute kidney failure, kidney function can return quickly after treatment. Meanwhile, severe chronic kidney failure may require treatment with hemodialysis or kidney transplant to remove toxins from the body.
Urine comes in many different colors, and darkening is not a symptom of kidney disease. Dark yellow urine may be due to dehydration, red urine may be due to eating radishes or foods containing dyes; discoloration due to the medication being used. Clear or light yellow urine is a sign that you are drinking enough water and your kidneys are working well.