The bad smell in urine can be caused by several factors including dehydration, certain foods, vitamins or medications, and infections.
Common Causes of Bad Smelling Urine
- Dehydration: Concentrated urine due to low fluid intake can have a strong ammonia-like smell because of less water to dilute waste products in urine. This often also causes urine to look dark yellow.
- Diet: Foods like asparagus, garlic, and coffee contain compounds that can cause urine to smell bad.
- Vitamins and Medications: B vitamins, vitamin D, prenatal vitamins, antibiotics, and certain medicines can give urine a noticeable or foul odor.
- Health Conditions:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) make urine smell bad due to bacteria presence, often accompanied by other symptoms like burning sensation when peeing, cloudy urine, or frequent urination.
* Other conditions like diabetes, kidney stones, liver disease, prostate infections, and rare genetic disorders can change urine smell.
What to Do
- Increase water intake to dilute urine and reduce odor.
- Avoid foods and supplements that may contribute to strong smell.
- If the smell persists or if there are symptoms like pain, burning on urination, fever, or cloudy urine, it's advised to see a doctor for evaluation.
In summary, bad smelly urine is often due to dehydration, food, or supplements but can sometimes indicate infection or other health issues needing medical attention.