Health expert have urged Nigerians to pay attention to their urine colour, noting that unusual changes in urine colour could be a sign of infection, kidney and liver problems.
According to them, Nigerians should seek medical evaluation when they consistently have urine that is dark and foamy as it could be a sign of protein in the urine (proteinuria), which requires medical intervention.
The experts said though urine colour varies, changes in it could be caused by specific health problems, urging Nigerians experiencing changes in their urine colour to see their doctor.
The experts disclosed this during exclusive interviews with PUNCH HealthWise, stressing that the colour of the urine has a lot to tell about an individual’s health.
According to Cleveland Clinic – a medical centre focused on medical care, research and provision of health information, normal urine is yellowish, ranging from clear to deep amber.
“The colour depends on how diluted it is, meaning how much liquid you consume. All urine has a slight odour that can vary with your diet.
“Sometimes these changes are temporary and harmless. They may be the result of eating certain foods or vitamins or taking some medicines.
“Other times, changes in urine may be the result of a more serious underlying medical condition,” the clinic said.
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Dr. Sule Abdullahi, told our correspondent that protein, sugar, and blood are not supposed to be seen in the urine.
Abdullahi, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Bayero University, Kano, explained, “This urine, sometimes as you see it contains some chemicals and properties that when you look at it and analyse it can tell a lot about your health.
“There are two things to look at in the urine, glucose and protein. Ideally, you are not supposed to see glucose in the urine. When you see glucose in the urine, it becomes suspicious whether that person has diabetes mellitus.
“But sometimes in pregnant women the threshold to control sugar in the urine is lowered. So, they can see some traces of it. But if you see much of it also, you have to screen out and make sure that it is not diabetes you are dealing with.
“The other thing is that you are not supposed to see protein in the urine also because the kidney is supposed to filter and will not allow the protein to pass through.
“So when you see protein in the urine, it is telling you whether you are having kidney problems or an infection. So when you see protein, you should look at whether the person has an infection or renal disease.”
The gynaecologist further said blood is not supposed to be seen in the urine also, adding that seeing blood in the urine means there are issues.
