What color is urine when your kidneys are failing
What color is urine when kidneys are failing?
Kidney failure is a condition in which one or both kidneys can no longer work on their own. It may be due to an acute injury to the kidneys or a chronic disease that gradually causes them to stop functioning. When kidneys are healthy, they clean the blood by removing excess fluid, minerals and wastes. But when they are failing, harmful wastes build up in the body and excess fluid is retained, changing the appearance, amount and number of times urine is passed.
Clues from urine color
Urine can provide a lot of information about what is going on in the body, including kidney failure. It can be all sorts of colors, from pale yellow to amber, and even pink, orange or green. For healthy urine, the color ranges from pale yellow to amber-colored, depending on the bodys hydration level. Pale yellow urine means high hydration while dark amber means more concentrated urine, indicating dehydration.
The pigment called urobilin (urochrome) causes the yellow color in urine. The kidney filters out this byproduct from the bloodstream and removes it from the body in urine. The more fluids you drink, the lighter the color of this pigment in urine. The less you drink, the stronger the color. For example, during pregnancy there is 50% increase in blood volume, so urine tends to be clearer and more diluted during pregnancy.
What urine colors are abnormal?
Paying attention to the color of urine can make you aware of your kidney health and alert you to the need for a medical checkup. Clear to yellow urine is normal and indicates normal kidney function, while odd colors such as orange or blue may be due to certain medications such as laxatives, antidepressants and antibiotics. But there are two colors that you must take seriously: red and dark brown.
Pink or red urine means red blood cells are present in urine. These colors may be a sign of infection, kidney stones or even cancer. Dark brown urine could mean you are extremely dehydrated, but if you drink plenty of fluid and the urine is still brown then you may have muscle breakdown, kidney disease or kidney failure.
What is the color of urine when kidneys are failing?
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts. The presence of blood in urine may make urine appear red or the color of tea or cola. Dark brown urine occurs in kidney failure due to the buildup of waste products in urine or urinating less often and in smaller amounts than usual.
Foaming or fizzing urine may also be a sign of kidney failure, though foam is not a color and usually occurs due to increased protein in urine or kidney disease. Foamy urine indicates a diminished ability of the kidney to filter and clean the blood.
Treatment of kidney failure
Kidney failure can be a debilitating and life threatening condition with symptoms such as lethargy, weakness, generalized swelling, shortness of breath, congestive heart failure and fatal heart rhythm disturbances. If your kidney is failing, treatment of the underlying disease may be the first step in correcting the problem.
Many causes of kidney failure are treatable and visiting a urologist will ensure the underlying condition is diagnosed and treated to restore normal function. The urologist may also plan for control of blood pressure, diabetes or other underlying conditions as a way of preventing chronic kidney disease. But in some situations, kidney failure is progressive and irreversible. When that happens, the only treatment options are dialysis or transplant, each with benefits and drawbacks.
Whatever treatment your urologist recommends, you will need to make some changes in your life, including how you eat and plan your activities. With the help of your urologist, family and friends, you can continue to lead a full and active life. For more information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and management of kidney failure, visit the St Pete Urology website.
What the Color of Your Urine Means
What the Color of Your Urine Means
The color of your pee can offer clues into your health, but kidney disease typically doesn't show any visible symptoms, so the only way to know if you have it is to get tested. Even if your urine looks okay, kidney damage may be hiding in the form of protein. Get checked to know for sure!
Clear/Pale yellowGood! This means you are well hydrated and have been drinking plenty of water and fluids!
Dark yellowYou might be dehydrated. Drink more water.
Pink to reddishMay be caused by some foods or it may be blood in your urine. Have your doctor test your urine to be sure.
BlueCertain food dyes can turn your urine blue when your body doesn't absorb them during digestion.
Foamy or fizzyExcessive bubbles in the urine especially those that require you to flush several times may indicate protein in the urine. Protein in the urine is an early sign of kidney disease, so ask your doctor to perform a urinalysis to check for protein.
How is your kidney health?
Use our online curriculum to get individualized information for your stage of kidney disease.
Last Reviewed: 09/08/2016
Is this content helpful?Voting....
Thanks!
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Failure?
Kidney failure often causes urinary changes, swelling, and confusion. More severe symptoms may include shortness of breath, seizures, and coma.
Kidney failure when your kidneys can no longer function effectively can be due to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) or an acute kidney injury (AKI).
If your kidneys can no longer filter your blood, waste products can build up, causing significant symptoms.
Its possible to have CKD and not know it until you have advanced disease and kidney failure symptoms. Without medical treatment, kidney failure can lead to death.
Read on to learn about the signs and symptoms of kidney failure.
You have two kidneys, each containing around
The glomeruli filter toxins, acid, and excess fluid from the blood. When your kidneys are healthy, these waste products exit the body in urine.
Kidney disease causes damage to nephrons and glomeruli, making it harder for them to function.
With CKD, you may feel an increased need to urinate, especially at night. You may also notice:
Once youre in kidney failure, you may produce less urine or none at all.
Decreased kidney filtration can lead to fluid overload. This can cause swelling in your legs, abdomen, and other areas if severe enough. It can also cause pulmonary edema, a buildup of fluid in your lungs.
Swelling may also be due to nephrotic syndrome. This happens when damage to the nephrons in your kidneys allows too much albumin (a circulating protein) to leave your blood and pass into your urine.
Nephrotic syndrome causes edema (swelling), particularly in the feet, ankles, and legs. You may also have swelling in the arms and around the eyes.
Fluid overload and pulmonary edema in people with kidney failure can lead to dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Research also links kidney failure to heart failure, which can worsen fluid overload and dyspnea.
Fatigue may be a CKD symptom long before the condition progresses to kidney failure. But since fatigue can be due to many conditions, doctors dont often associate it with kidney disease during its early stages.
Its not entirely clear why kidney disease causes fatigue. Experts think the buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood may sap your body of energy, causing weakness and exhaustion.
If your kidneys are no longer working, bodily waste, electrolytes, and fluids build up in your body. This causes abdominal symptoms such as:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
Research suggests that both
Adults and children with kidney failure are at risk of cognitive deficits, especially in the area of executive function. This can cause difficulties with emotion regulation, impulse management, and the ability to focus.
The underlying reasons behind the effect of kidney failure on the brain arent completely clear. Experts think the combined effects of high blood pressure, anemia, and substance buildup in the blood (uremia) cause this effect.
With kidney failure, uremia can lead to uremic encephalopathy, a brain disorder. Symptoms of uremic encephalopathy include:
Kidney failure can cause an electrolyte balance by disrupting your bodys natural balance of fluid and electrolytes like:
Electrolyte imbalance negatively affects your nervous systems ability to function.
Nerve impulses (communications) between your brain and other parts of your body, including muscles, become impaired. Muscle cramps are a common result.
What are the first signs of kidney problems?
Early symptoms vary and may start out subtly. They include:
- fatigue
- trouble sleeping
- dry or itchy skin
- swelling or puffiness around the eyes
- swollen feet or ankles
- changes in urination, including frequency, urge, and foamy or bloody urine
- muscles cramps
Can a person with kidney failure survive?
You can survive with kidney failure, provided you receive appropriate treatment.
Acute kidney failure typically resolves upon successful treatment of the underlying condition.
Chronic kidney failure isnt curable but can be successfully treated long term with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
What color is your pee when your kidneys are failing?
You may urinate very little when youre in kidney failure. The urine you do produce will contain excess proteins, toxins, and blood, causing it to look darker than usual. It may even take on a brown or red appearance.
Kidney disease may not cause noticeable symptoms until its later stages when your kidney function is severely reduced. Symptoms of kidney failure typically include swelling, urinary changes, and extreme fatigue.
Kidney failure is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If you have or think you might have CKD or AKI and notice new or worsening symptoms, do not hesitate to get medical attention immediately.
Everything You Need to Know About Kidney Failure
Kidney failure occurs when your kidneys lose the ability to filter waste from your blood sufficiently. It may not cause symptoms in the early stages.
Your kidneys filter your blood and remove toxins from your body. These toxins go to your bladder and are eliminated when you urinate. When this doesnt work properly, you can get kidney failure.
If your kidneys arent able to function properly, toxins can overwhelm your body. This can lead to kidney failure, which can be life threatening if left untreated.
Keep reading as we break down everything you need to know about kidney failure, including symptoms, stages, treatment, and the typical outlook.
Acute kidney failure occurs when your kidneys suddenly stop working properly while chronic kidney failure occurs over time. Doctors typically divide kidney failure into five types.
The types of kidney failure include:
- Acute prerenal kidney failure: Insufficient blood flow to the kidneys can cause acute prerenal kidney failure. Doctors can usually cure this type once they determine the cause of the decreased blood flow.
- Acute intrinsic kidney failure: Acute intrinsic kidney failure can result from direct trauma to the kidneys, such as physical impact or an accident, toxin overload, and ischemia, which is a lack of oxygen to the kidneys.
- Chronic prerenal kidney failure: When there isnt enough blood flowing to your kidneys for an extended period of time, the kidneys can shrink and lose the ability to function.
- Chronic intrinsic kidney failure: This happens when theres long-term damage to the kidneys due to intrinsic kidney disease. Intrinsic kidney disease develops from direct trauma to the kidneys, such as severe bleeding or a lack of oxygen.
- Chronic post-renal kidney failure: A long-term blockage of the urinary tract prevents urination. This causes pressure and eventual kidney damage.
- Acute post-renal kidney failure: This type of kidney failure can occur due to stones or another blockage in the urinary tract.
Early-stage kidney failure often doesnt cause noticeable symptoms. According to the
As kidney disease progresses, symptoms may include:
Early signs of kidney failure
Symptoms of early-stage kidney disease may be subtle and hard to identify. They may include:
Kidney failure urine color
The color of your urine doesnt tell you much about the state of your kidney function until damage to the kidneys has progressed.
Still, urine color changes may be an early indicator of some issues.
Kidney failure can result from various causes. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the two most common include high blood pressure and diabetes.
People who are most at risk usually have one or more of the following:
Loss of blood flow to the kidneys
A sudden loss of blood flow to your kidneys can prompt kidney failure. Some causes include:
High blood pressure and anti-inflammatory medications can also limit blood flow.
Urine elimination problems
When your body cant eliminate urine, toxins build up and overload the kidneys. Some cancers can block the urine passageways, such as:
Other conditions can interfere with urination and possibly lead to kidney failure, including:
Other causes
Other factors that may lead to kidney failure include:
People of all ages develop kidney failure, but the risk
You may have a higher risk if you have:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- a family history of kidney failure
The longer youve had these conditions, the
Doctors use several tests to diagnose kidney failure. Common tests include:
- Urinalysis: A urine sample can show how much protein or sugar is in your urine. A urinary sediment examination looks for red and white blood cells, high levels of bacteria, and high numbers of cellular casts.
- Urine volume measurements: Measuring urine output can help diagnose kidney failure. Low output may suggest that kidney disease is due to a urinary blockage.
- Blood samples: Blood tests can measure substances filtered by your kidneys, such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. A rapid rise in these levels may indicate acute kidney failure.
- Imaging: Tests like ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT scans provide images of your kidneys and urinary tract to identify issues.
- Kidney tissue sample: Doctors use a kidney biopsy to collect and examine tissue samples.
Kidney disease is classified into five stages. These range from very mild (stage 1) to complete kidney failure (stage 5). Symptoms and complications increase as the stages progress.
Stage 1
You may experience no symptoms and have no visible complications. But some kidney damage is present.
Stage 2
Stage 2 kidney disease is still considered mild, but detectable issues like protein in the urine or physical damage to the kidneys may be more obvious.
Its also a good idea to talk with a doctor about risk factors that could make the disease progress more rapidly, such as:
Stage 3
At this stage, your kidneys arent working as well as they should.
Stage 3 kidney disease is sometimes divided into stages 3a and 3b. A blood test that measures the amount of waste products in your body helps doctors differentiate between the two.
Symptoms may become more apparent. Swelling in hands and feet, back pain, and changes to urination frequency are likely.
A doctor may consider medications to treat underlying conditions that could speed kidney failure.
Stage 4
Stage 4 kidney disease is considered moderate to severe. The kidneys arent working well, but youre not in complete kidney failure yet. Symptoms can include complications like:
A doctor will likely develop a treatment plan to slow kidney damage.
Stage 5
In stage 5, your kidneys are nearing or in complete failure. Symptoms of the loss of kidney function will be evident, such as vomiting and nausea, trouble breathing, and itchy skin.
Youll need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
The
The type of treatment you need depends on the cause and stage of your kidney failure.
Dialysis
Dialysis filters and purifies the blood using a machine to performs the function of the kidneys. Depending on the type of dialysis, you may be connected to a large machine or a portable catheter bag.
Along with dialysis, you may need to follow a low potassium, low salt diet.
Dialysis doesnt cure kidney failure, but going to regularly scheduled treatments can extend your life.
Kidney transplant
A transplanted kidney can work fully, so you no longer need dialysis.
Theres usually a long wait to receive a donor kidney thats compatible with your body. If you have a living donor, the process may go more quickly.
Transplant surgery might not be the right treatment option for everyone. It is not always successful.
You must take immunosuppressant drugs after the surgery to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney. These drugs have their own side effects, some of which can be serious.
You can talk with a doctor about whether youre a good candidate for a kidney transplant.
Lifestyle modifications
Minimizing your intake of alcohol and making dietary changes may help prevent kidney failure from progressing.
At the early stages and beyond, its possible to manage and slow progression with lifestyle factors such as:
Dietary changes
The guidelines for what you eat will often depend on the stage of kidney disease you have and your overall health. Some recommendations might include:
- Limiting sodium and potassium: Aim to eat less than 2,000 milligrams per day of both sodium (salt) and potassium.
- Limiting phosphorus: Try to stay below
1,000 milligrams of phosphorus. - Following protein guidelines: In early and moderate kidney disease, you might want to cut back on protein consumption. But you may eat more protein in end-stage kidney failure, depending on your doctors recommendations.
Beyond these general guidelines, a doctor may also ask you to avoid certain foods.
Lowering alcohol intake
If you have kidney failure and drink alcohol, your kidneys must work harder than they already do. Alcohol doesnt metabolize out of your system, so if you have complete kidney failure, youll feel its effects until you receive dialysis to filter it from your blood.
Beer, ale, and wine also contain large amounts of phosphorous. Severe heart issues and death are possible if your kidneys cannot filter it out.
If you have kidney failure or late-stage kidney disease, a doctor may recommend you limit alcohol. Eliminating alcohol from your diet, if possible, may be best.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. About
Without management, high blood sugar can damage your kidneys. The damage can worsen over time.
Diabetic nephropathy, or kidney damage caused by type 1 or type 2 diabetes, cant be reversed. Steps to prevent or limit kidney damage can include:
- managing your blood sugar
- managing blood pressure
- taking medications as prescribed
If you have diabetes, a doctor will likely perform regular screenings to monitor for kidney failure. Your risk for diabetic nephropathy increases the longer you live with diabetes.
Kidney failure can lead to various complications. These can include:
Many people with kidney failure develop secondary complications. These can include:
Its not possible to know precisely how long a person with kidney failure will live, as it can depend on many factors.
These include:
- the underlying cause
- how well that underlying cause is managed
- any complicating factors, like high blood pressure or diabetes
- stage of kidney disease at diagnosis
- age
The National Kidney Foundation says that a person on dialysis can expect to live for an average of 5 to 10 years as long as they follow their treatment. Some people live for more than 20 or 30 years.
Once you reach end-stage kidney failure, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live. Missing even one dialysis treatment can decrease your life expectancy.
Proper treatment and healthy lifestyle changes may improve your outlook, such as avoiding certain foods.
You can take steps to lower the risk of kidney failure.
Follow directions when taking over-the-counter medications. Taking doses that are too high, even of common drugs like aspirin, can create high toxin levels quickly. This can overload your kidneys.
Many kidney or urinary tract conditions lead to kidney failure without prompt treatment.
You can help lower your risk of kidney failure by:
- eating a balanced diet
- maintaining a moderate weight
- taking prescribed and over-the-counter medications as directed and not taking more medication than is safe
- keeping conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, well managed and following a doctors advice
Kidney failure can develop suddenly or from long-term damage. Possible causes of kidney failure can include diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney trauma.
Kidney disease is classified into five stages, ranging from mild to complete kidney failure. Symptoms and complications increase as the stages progress.
If you have kidney failure, you can work with a doctor to determine the best treatment options.
