When
the urine contains waste products, the urine may smell like ammonia.
Why
does urine smell?
The
color and smell of urine will vary depending on the amount of waste and fluid
ingested throughout the day.
However,
some unusual smells may indicate that you need to see a doctor. One such
example is that the urine has a sweet taste, which may indicate too much
glucose (blood sugar) in the urine.
The
other is the smell of ammonia, which has a strong chemical odor. While urine
doesn't always smell like ammonia, it can be a cause for concern in some cases.
What
are the potential causes of urine smelling like ammonia?
Waste
in the urine usually has an odor, but the urine is usually diluted enough to
make the waste odorless. However, if the urine becomes thicker — which means
more waste products associated with the liquid — the urine is more likely to
smell like ammonia.
Urea is
a waste product in the urine. It is a by-product of protein breakdown, which in
some cases can be further broken down into ammonia. Therefore, many conditions
that lead to urine concentration can cause urine to smell like ammonia.
Conditions
that can cause a person's urine to smell like ammonia include:
Bladder stones
Stones
in the bladder or kidneys can accumulate due to too much waste in the bladder.
Other symptoms of bladder stones include:
- Turbid urine
- Blood in
the urine
- Stomach ache
- Dark urine
Bladder
stones themselves can be caused by a variety of conditions.
Dehydration
Not
having enough fluid circulating in the body means that the kidneys are more
likely to stay hydrated but release waste products. As a result, the urine may
be thicker and smell like ammonia. If your urine is darker and you excrete only
a small amount of urine, you may be dehydrated.
Urinary
Tract Infections (UTIs)
A
bladder infection or other infection affecting the urinary tract can cause
urine to smell like ammonia. Other symptoms associated with UTIs include:
- Pain when urinating
- Stomach ache
- Feeling that you need to urinate regularly
without producing a lot of urine
In most
cases, bacteria cause urinary tract infections.
Food
Because
of the unique combination of foods, sometimes urine smells like ammonia. This
usually does not attract attention unless it is accompanied by other
uncomfortable symptoms.
Should you see a doctor about urine that smells like ammonia?
Occasionally
there is urine that smells like ammonia and usually does not attract attention.
You may need to drink more water to dilute the urine. However, if pain or
potential signs of infection, such as fever, accompany your symptoms then you
should see a doctor.
The
doctor will first ask questions about your symptoms. These may include:
- How long has your urine smelled like
ammonia?
- Is there a time when your urine smells
particularly thick?
- Do you have any other symptoms, such as
blood in the urine, fever, pain in the back or lower back, or pain when
urinating?
Your
doctor will use these reactions to consider the next diagnostic test.
Sometimes, doctors will do tests to check whether a man's prostate has the
potential to affect signs of swelling when urinating. They may also ask for a
urine test. A urine sample is sent to a laboratory and then tested for
bacteria, blood, bladder fragments or kidney stones, or other waste components.
Usually, this test and a description of your symptoms can help the doctor diagnose
the cause of the urine that smells like ammonia.
Your
doctor may also order imaging tests to detect abnormalities in the kidneys,
bladder, or other areas that may affect urine.
Q: Does
the urine smell like ammonia I am pregnant?
Anonymous
patients
A:
The composition of the urine does not change much during pregnancy, so it
should not smell like ammonia. However, it is common to have urine checked
regularly during pregnancy, and it is recommended to help identify any
underlying problems during pregnancy. For example, an increase in sugar in the
urine may indicate a risk of gestational diabetes. Ketones in the urine
indicate that your body is not getting enough carbohydrates. Elevated protein
levels may be a sign of urinary tract infection or kidney damage. Some of these
conditions manifest as urine smelling like ammonia, but this is not the norm
for every pregnancy.
The
answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is for
informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
How to deal with urine that smells like ammonia?
If the
urine smells like ammonia and is caused by an underlying infection, your doctor
may prescribe antibiotics. These can reduce the incidence and overgrowth of
urinary tract bacteria.
You
should also take steps to maintain good bladder health, which can reduce the
incidence of dehydration and the likelihood that you will develop a urinary
tract infection.
For
example, drink at least six glasses of 8 ounces of water a day. Drinking a cup
of cranberry juice every day or adding lemon to the water will change the
acidity of the urine. If you experience many infections, this can be good for
your bladder health.
What are the prospects for people whose urine smells like
ammonia?
Most
cases of urine that smell like ammonia can be treated with liquid or antibiotic
medications.
Ideally,
your urine should be pale yellow to straw-colored. If it is still darker than
usual after 24 hours, see a doctor. If you think you may have a potential
infection or other medical problem, you should also always seek treatment.
Conclusion
When
the urine contains waste products, the urine may smell like ammonia. A variety
of conditions can cause waste products to accumulate in the urine, such as
bladder stones, dehydration, and urinary tract infections. In most cases, urine
that smells like ammonia can be treated with liquid or antibiotic medications.