Dark urine: are you well hydrated?
Dark yellow, or even orange, urine is often a sign of dehydration. When your body is running out of water, your kidneys produce more concentrated urine, which changes its tint. Just a test: drink more water and see if the color is lighter again.
However, if your urine remains orange and your stools are abnormally clear, this may indicate a liver or biliary problem requiring medical advice.
Blue or green urine: strange but often benign
Seeing urine turn blue or green may be surprising, but this is usually related to taking certain medicines or food dyes. Some treatments for ulcer, gastric reflux or some antidepressants may cause this unusual staining.
A rare disease, familial benign hypercalcaemia, may also give the urine bluish tint in children. If this change occurs for no apparent reason, it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Read more on the next page.
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