Very often, doctors come across a patient complaining of a pungent urine smell. Why this happens, you can figure it out only by conducting a series of diagnostic tests. The big mistake of patients is that they try to treat some diseases and syndromes on their own, thereby erasing the clinical picture and preventing a quick cure.
To begin with, normal urine is clear, with an acid reaction and a density of up to 1030 (although this figure should already alert). The color of the urine of a healthy person is straw yellow. The presence of up to 4-6 epithelial cells and 2-4 leukocytes in the field of view is allowed. Protein, glucose and red blood cells should not be present in urine .
The pungent smell of urine is the first sign that something is wrong in the body and needs to be examined. For example, a distinct smell of ammonia during urination is observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. Moreover, in such patients, a sweet smell from the oral cavity can also be detected. Some doctors say that in patients with diabetes, urine smells like fresh apples or other fruits (this is due to the high content of acetone in it). Often, diabetes is first diagnosed in patients who complain of an unpleasant urine odor. Such patients should be fully examined and then referred for consultation with an endocrinologist.
A sharp smell of urine can be observed in the presence of fecal fistula. In such a situation, the urine will have a smell of feces, and with it, particles of feces will be released outside through the urethra. As a rule, in such patients, in addition to the unnatural smell of urine, a pronounced pain syndrome is observed in the pelvic and perineal regions. The bladder and urethra become inflamed, which disrupts the normal function of urination.
In this situation, it is necessary to consult a surgeon and decide on further treatment tactics.
A strange smell of urine can appear with various urogenital infections, including sexually transmitted infections. The fish smell with bacterial vaginosis or the unpleasant smell with thrush, chlamydia, or ureaplasmosis can be specific. As a rule, patients have a clinical picture of damage to the mucous membranes of the genital organs (edema, hyperemia, redness and itching), as well as special discharge from the urethra. Urine in this condition becomes cloudy, it can contain various impurities, many white blood cells.
Putrid sharp smell of urine is observed during purulent processes in the pelvic area. This may be the decay of a tumor, an abscess or gangrene of an organ. Most often, such processes are localized in the intestinal region, but can be diagnosed in the bladder and genitals. Then in the analysis of urine a large number of white blood cells is determined, there may be red blood cells and an admixture of pus. The patient must be fully examined and the necessary diagnostic procedures performed to determine further treatment tactics.
A sharp smell of urine can be observed in patients with cystitis, especially with a long-term process. Urine takes on the smell of acetone, and the more severe the condition, the more distinct the smell.
It should not be forgotten that some foods used in food can not only change the color of urine, but also its smell. For example, the use of large quantities of garlic, horseradish or other spices very often provokes a change in the smell of urine. In laboratory diagnostics, all urine composition indicators are within normal limits.
An unpleasant smell of urine may indicate inadequate hygiene of the genitals or an infrequent change of linen. In such a situation, laboratory analysis is absolutely normal, you can only detect an increased content of epithelial cells. After thorough hygiene, the smell is eliminated.