· Urine with a lot of water and little waste has little to no odor. If urine has a lot of waste with little water, also called concentrated, it might have a strong odor from a gas called ammonia. Urine might have an ammonia smell due to eating certain foods, supplement use, a urinary tract infection, a liver or kidney problem, or dehydration.
Understanding the Context
Managing the underlying cause may help stop urine from smelling like ammonia.Urine is the body’s liquid waste. It is made by the kidneys, which filter toxins out of the blood. Urine contains water, salt, urea, and uric acid primarily. Urea is expelled in the form of sweat through the body, while uric acid is the result of urine metabolism.Changes in urine smell and color offer insight into a person’s health, diet, and lifestyle choices.
Image Gallery
Key Insights
These choices may contribute to an ammonia smell but are not the only causes.•Urine is mostly water and usually has only a weak odor.•There are several causes of an ammonia odor from urine.See full list on medicalnewstoday.comDehydrationDehydration can cause an ammonia smell. Dehydration occurs when someone doesn’t drink enough fluids or has a significant fluid loss due to vomiting or diarrhea. Ammonia odor happens when chemicals in urine are concentrated due to a lack of water. In addition to an ammonia-like odor, another telltale sign of dehydration is bubbles in a person’s urine. And if someone is dehydrated, their urine is dark honey or brown color, rather than a pale yellow or gold.Urinary tract infectionsAccording to research from the Washington University School of Medicine in St.
Important Details
Louis, Missouri, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections worldwide, affecting up to 150 million people each year. Additional figures for the United States include 10.5 million doctor visits and up to 3 million emergency room visits for UTI symptoms. UTIs tend to affect people born female more, but people born male can also develop UTIs. These infections are the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract.
Final Thoughts
The bacteria make urine smell unpleasant and cause it to be cloudy or bloody.PregnancyPregnant people have a higher risk for UTIs, increasing their chances of having ammonia-smelling urine. One report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds up to 8% of pregnant women experience UTIs. UTIs can cause serious pregnancy complications, including premature labor, low birth weight, and sepsis. Hence, pregnant people should let their doctors know if they experience unpleasant-smelling urine, especially if the smell resembles ammonia. Pregnancy vitamins can also create a smell of ammonia in the urine.
Smelly urine from taking vitamins usually goes away after a short time. In the absence of other symptoms, such as pain with urination, cloudy or dark urine color, or unusual frequency of urination, there is usually little reason for concern. But recurring ammonia odor in pregnancy should still be brought to a doctor’s attention.See full list on medicalnewstoday.comIf ammonia-smelling urine occurs every once in a while, it is rarely a reason for concern. However, if the ammonia odor is accompanied by pain or symptoms of infection, including fever, it is time to see a doctor.A doctor will want to know:•how long urine has had an odor•how often ammonia odor occurs•other symptoms, including blood in urine, back pain, fever, pain with urination, and urgencyA doctor will likely do a physical exam and request urine samples and blood work.See full list on medicalnewstoday.comStay hydratedDrinking between 9–13 cups of water daily can reduce the chances of dehydration. People who notice their urine is dark in color and has an ammonia smell should start drinking water to ensure they are not dehydrated. Making sure to avoid the common causes of dehydration, such as heat and sweating, can also help people stay hydrated.Cut down on diet triggersAnyone who consumes a lot of triggering foods can stop ammonia-smelling urine by cutting those foods out of their diet. Reducing the intake of offending vitamins and medications can also reduce urine odor.Pass urine oftenMost people urinate when their bladders are full. But urine that is held in can become more concentrated and have a foul odor. Not holding in urine will minimize ammonia odor and infections.See full list on medicalnewstoday.comThe most common causes of an ammonia smell in a person’s urine are diet, UTIs, dehydration, and hormones. It is important to find out the main cause, especially if it is medical.Most of the time, staying hydrated, decreasing intakes of trigger foods, vitamins, and medications, passing urine often, and practicing good hygiene can manage ammonia odor in urine.See full list on medicalnewstoday.comAug 24, 2017 · Urine may smell like ammonia when it becomes concentrated with waste products. A variety of conditions can cause waste products to build up in urine, such as bladder stones, dehydration,... · Ammonia-smelling urine can indicate dehydration, liver issues, or UTIs. Learn the causes, risks, and when to seek medical help. · Dehydration can affect how your urinesmells and looks. When dehydrated, your urine will look dark-colored and have a strong or ammonia-like smell. Other signs that you might be... · Dehydration is the leading cause of smelly urine. When you don’t drink enough water, waste products become concentrated, creating a strong ammonia odor that typically resolves within hours of proper hydration. Urinary tract infections produce foul-smellingurine with additional symptoms. About 50-60% of women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, requiring prompt antibiotic ... Why does my urine smell like ammonia?Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that you’re a little dehydrated. Drinking more water can often help. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. It causes strong or sweet smelling urine. Other UTI symptoms include:Why does my urine smell like Cheerios?Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of other diseases and complications. Diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood.What does urine smell like?Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. Your diet, medications, and your water intake can also be the cause. Certain urine smells can be a sign of some conditions. If you notice odd smells along with feeling sick or having pain or bloody urine, you should see your doctor.Why does urea smell like ammonia?Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism and naturally breaks down into ammonia. When you’re dehydrated, your kidneys conserve water by producing less urine, which allows urea to accumulate and break down into ammonia more readily. This is why concentrated urine often has a strong, pungent ammonia odor.2 days ago · Commonly, people complain that urine has an odor that smells like ammonia. Herein we will explore the symptoms and causes for the ammonia smell, as well as the treatments for this condition. · Urine may smell like ammonia when it becomes concentrated with waste products. A variety of conditions can cause waste products to build up in urine, such as bladder stones, dehydration,... · Ammonia-smelling urine can indicate dehydration, liver issues, or UTIs. Learn the causes, risks, and when to seek medical help. · Dehydration can affect how your urinesmells and looks. When dehydrated, your urine will look dark-colored and have a strong or ammonia-like smell. Other signs that you might be... · Dehydration is the leading cause of smelly urine. When you don’t drink enough water, waste products become concentrated, creating a strong ammonia odor that typically resolves within hours of proper hydration. Urinary tract infections produce foul-smellingurine with additional symptoms. About 50-60% of women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, requiring prompt antibiotic ... Why does my urine smell like ammonia?Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that you’re a little dehydrated. Drinking more water can often help. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. It causes strong or sweet smelling urine. Other UTI symptoms include:Why does my urine smell like Cheerios?Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of other diseases and complications. Diabetic ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood.What does urine smell like?Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. Your diet, medications, and your water intake can also be the cause. Certain urine smells can be a sign of some conditions. If you notice odd smells along with feeling sick or having pain or bloody urine, you should see your doctor.Why does urea smell like ammonia?Urea is a byproduct of protein metabolism and naturally breaks down into ammonia. When you’re dehydrated, your kidneys conserve water by producing less urine, which allows urea to accumulate and break down into ammonia more readily. This is why concentrated urine often has a strong, pungent ammonia odor.2 days ago · Commonly, people complain that urine has an odor that smells like ammonia. Herein we will explore the symptoms and causes for the ammonia smell, as well as the treatments for this condition. · Ammonia-smelling urine can indicate dehydration, liver issues, or UTIs. Learn the causes, risks, and when to seek medical help. · Dehydration can affect how your urinesmells and looks. When dehydrated, your urine will look dark-colored and have a strong or ammonia-like smell. Other signs that you might be... · Dehydration is the leading cause of smelly urine. When you don’t drink enough water, waste products become concentrated, creating a strong ammonia odor that typically resolves within hours of proper hydration. Urinary tract infections produce foul-smellingurine with additional symptoms. About 50-60% of women experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, requiring prompt antibiotic ... 2 days ago · Commonly, people complain that urine has an odor that smells like ammonia. Herein we will explore the symptoms and causes for the ammonia smell, as well as the treatments for this condition.
