Treatment FAQ

why does urine have ammonia smell treatment

by Alvena Streich IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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, and urinary tract infections. In most cases, urine that smells like ammonia can be treated with fluids or antibiotic medications.

Why does my urine smell very strong with ammonia?

Why does my urine smell like ammonia?

  • Causes of ammonia-smelling urine. Most of the time, this occurrence is nothing to cause alarm. ...
  • When to see a doctor. If ammonia-smelling urine occurs every once in a while, it is rarely a reason for concern. ...
  • Treating ammonia-smelling urine. Treatments depend on the contributing cause. ...
  • Takeaway. ...

What causes high ammonia levels in urine?

ammonia If the liver is decompromised it cannot metabolize the waste products hence there is an elevation of blood ammonia levels resulting in increased excretion in the urine. Also, increased levels of ammonia may also be seen with gastrointestinal bleeding, where the blood cells are haemolysed in the intestines, releasing protein.

Why does my pee smell like fruit or ammonia?

Why does my urine stink? When you’re dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell like ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Go to the doctor.

Why would urine have a musty smell?

What It Can Mean if You Have Smelly Urine – Common Causes of Bad Smelling Urine

  • Dehydration. ...
  • Certain foods, drinks or supplements. ...
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI) The presence of bacteria in your urinary tract can cause an infection that can result in urine with a strong odor.
  • Kidney infection. ...
  • Kidney stones. ...
  • Cystitis. ...
  • Low-carb diets. ...
  • Diabetes. ...
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis. ...
  • Liver disease. ...

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How do you get rid of ammonia smell in your urine?

Treating ammonia-smelling urineStay hydrated. Share on Pinterest Drinking water is a simple way to stay hydrated. ... Cut down on diet triggers. Anyone who consumes a lot of triggering foods can stop ammonia-smelling urine by cutting those foods out of their diet. ... Pass urine often. ... Stay clean.

What home remedy gets rid of urine smell?

Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away even the strongest of urine smells. Mix together 8 fluid ounces of peroxide, 3 tablespoons baking soda and a few drops of dish detergent.

What gets rid of the smell of urine?

Try mixing about a cup of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and just a couple drops of dish detergent. Spray the area, allow it to sit for about 20 minutes, and rub the area until the odor is eliminated.

Should I go to the doctor if my urine smells like ammonia?

Now an ammonia-like odor also can be linked to dehydration and certain foods and vitamins, as mentioned previously. So if the smell pops up and disappears quickly, there's little reason for concern. If it lingers, though, get checked by a medical professional.

Does vitamin C help with urine odor?

Vitamin C is another effective urine deodorizer. Speak to your healthcare professional about this; it might not be good for you to take vitamin C because of other medical conditions you have or other medicines you are taking. You should not substitute vitamin C in tablets with vitamin C in citrus fruits and juices.

Should I be worried about smelly urine?

In most cases, a strong smell isn't a sign of disease. It's usually from your diet and medications, or it means you need to drink more water. Certain urine smells can be a sign of some conditions, but your doctor might not consider that to be the case unless you have other symptoms.

Will the smell of urine go away?

Most changes in urine odor are not a sign of disease and go away in time. Some foods and medicines, including vitamins, may affect your urine's odor. For example, eating asparagus causes a distinct urine odor. Foul-smelling urine may be due to bacteria.

How do I stop my bathroom from smelling like urine?

Keep the bathroom clean with daily surface wipe downs and weekly deep cleans. Try a Febreze Small Spaces to prevent lingering odors for up to 45 days. They come in a variety of yummy scents, none of which contain urine. Flush near-boiling water down the drains once a week to prevent odor backup.

Do vitamins make your urine smell?

Vitamin Overload Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow.

Can a UTI go away on its own?

“Yes, a UTI could go away on its own, but some infections are different than others,” he says. “And if left untreated, it may linger longer.” UTIs are classified into two main categories: uncomplicated, also known as cystitis; and complicated, which may be catheter-associated or happen during pregnancy.

What does UTI smell like?

A UTI can cause bacteria from the infection to contaminate the urine, resulting in a distinct fishy smell. UTIs are more common in women than men. Other symptoms include: urine that is cloudy or bloody.

Why does my urine smell foul but no infection?

One of the most common reasons for strong-smelling pee is dehydration. Everyone's urine has ammonia in it. The more hydrated you are, the less concentrated the ammonia is. But when you're dehydrated, the ammonia concentration is stronger — and so is the smell.

Why does urine smell like ammonia?

Dehydration from not drinking enough water can cause urine to smell like ammonia. Dehydration can cause an ammonia smell. Dehydration occurs when someone fails to 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.

How to get rid of ammonia smell in urine?

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. It is important ammonia-smelling urine is not ignored, especially if it continues after making attempts to resolve it.

What causes a urine smell?

Liver disease. The liver, similarly to the kidneys, is responsible for removing toxins from the body and helping it to digest food. Infections and diseases of the liver can produce high levels of ammonia in the urine and the accompanying pungent odor.

Can a UTI cause a cloudy urine smell?

These infections are the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract. The bacteria make urine smell unpleasant and cause it to be cloudy or bloody.

What to do if you smell ammonia in your urine?

If this happens, there will be a notable smell of ammonia from the urine. 12. Managing your diabetes can help to reduce the ammonia smell in your urine. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may have to take insulin or other medication, however, in some cases, doctors recommend controlling diabetes by diet.

How to get rid of urine smell?

You can drink raw unprocessed apple cider vinegar (ACV) to help get rid of the ammonia-like smell from urine. Apple cider vinegar is a great home remedy to get rid of kidney stones naturally and help prevent urinary tract infections. In fact, research has shown that human kidney stones dissolve in acetic acid – the main component of apple cider vinegar. 14

Why does my urine smell so bad?

However, serious medical conditions like a urinary tract infection, liver infection, or kidney disease can cause your urine to emit a foul smell. Along with the strong-smelling urine, an infection may cause other changes in your urine.

How to get rid of nitrates in urine?

The research found that taking 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda in water 3 to 4 times a day was an effective remedy for urinary stones. 15. Baking soda can also help to relieve the symptoms of a urinary tract infection and get rid of nitrates in urine.

What color should your urine be?

Normal urine should be a pale yellow to gold color. If you are dehydrated, your urine becomes very concentrated, might have sediment, and can give off a strong ammonia smell. A lack of water will also turn your pee a dark honey or brown color. 1.

How is ammonia produced?

PubMed Health explains that ammonia is produced as the liver breaks down carbohydrates and fats. The liver then converts ammonia into urea which eventually passes out through the urine. However, if the liver is damaged, it can’t convert ammonia properly and your urine will give off an ammonia odor. 10.

Does asparagus make your urine smell?

The Cleveland Clinic reports that asparagus can cause an ammonia smell in urine. Asparagus can also give your pee a green tinge to it. Also, vitamin B-6 or foods containing large amounts of vitamin B-6 can also make your urine have a strong odor. 2.

What is the smell of urine?

Urine’s natural by-product urea is a mixture of ammonia and other elements such as carbon and hydrogen found within the body. Hence, the ammonia odor with urine output. It is when the odor is apparent that an issue may be at hand.

Why does ammonia smell?

Our body produces urea nitrogen as it breaks down the protein in our food. A buildup of nitrogen is seen with excess proteins, and causes the ammonia odor in the urine.

Why does my urine smell like ammonia?

A case of dehydration may be why your pee smells like ammonia. The lack of water in the body can cause your urine to become concentrated, meaning there is an increased amount of proteins, sugars, and salts, known as solutes. These chemicals produce the ammonia-smelling odor in the urine.

How to get urine to turn yellow?

When there is an ammonia odor to the urine and any discoloration, drinking lots of water may help to alleviate these issues. Water will promote the removal of toxins and dilute the urine to return to the normal yellow coloring of straw. Drink eight glasses of eight ounces of water each day.

What causes a urine smell?

These chemicals include urate, calcium, cystine, oxalate, xanthine, and phosphate, and can cause the strong urine smell of ammonia.

What to do if you smell ammonia in your urine?

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about any prescribed or over-the-counter medications that may be causing the discoloration and ammonia smell in urine. Do not stop or reduce dosages unless otherwise directed by a professional.

What is the name of the disease that causes a kidney to become highly concentrated?

This may be due to an increase of chemicals in the waste products of the kidney, such as proteins and bacteria. The urine can then become highly concentrated, and an increased presence of ammonium can develop.

What causes ammonia in urine?

Common Causes of the Ammonia Smell in Urine 1 Diet - When large amounts of nitrogen-rich foods, such as proteins and leafy greens, are ingested, the excess nitrogen is released in the urine, thus contributing to its ammonia smell. 2 Dehydration - When you fail to take in sufficient amounts of water, chemicals in urine tend to be very concentrated causing a strong smell of ammonia. 3 Liver damage - Liver is responsible for removing and breaking down ammonia. If the liver is unable to break down the ammonia it is excreted in the urine. 4 Other diseases - Other common causes include diabetes, metabolic disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements.

Why does urine smell so strong?

Not cleaning your genitals and groin area may also be the reason behind your strong-smelling urine. Bacteria on your skin break down any remnants of urine, which in turn produces a very strong-smelling ammonia odor.

Why does urine not have a clear odor?

Typically in healthy people urine does not have an odor and it is clear, straw yellow. The lack of odor and pale color are due to the consumption of sufficient amounts of water and the emptying of the bladder at regular intervals.

What does urine smell like?

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.

How to lower uric acid in urine?

Baking soda works to lower uric acid levels in your body. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink thrice a day for relief. The remedy works because baking soda also helps eliminate nitrates from your urine. 4. Extra Tips.

How to get rid of urine in underwear?

Be sure to wash your genitals and groin area properly and ensure that you empty your bladder completely while urinating. 2. Try Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) A great remedy is to drink apple cider vinegar.

How long does urine change?

See your doctor immediately in case the change lasts for more than two days.

Why does urine smell like ammonia?

Dehydration. When you don’t drink sufficient water, it could result in dehydration and this , in turn, could cause the urine to have ammonia smell. This odor comes from the chemicals in urine, which tend to be concentrated when your body has insufficient water. There may also be bubbles seen in your urine when you urinate.

What does it mean when you smell ammonia in your urine?

Having ammonia smell in the urine may not necessarily mean you have a serious medical condition, but it can also be a problem for you . There are different things you can do to deal with this situation: 3,4,5

Why does my urine smell like asparagus?

The smell may be caused by a simple thing as dehydration or taking some food items like asparagus, but at other times, there may be a medical condition, which is causing ammonia smell, for example, urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or liver infection. Besides the strong smell, you may also find that your urine is cloudy, ...

How to get rid of ammonia smell in urine?

Drink a lot of water. The main step to get rid of the strong ammonia smell coming from urine is to drink a lot of water. Take about 10 to 12 glasses of water in a day. It will help dilute your urine and can remove that strong smell or the color. Remain hydrated and you could resolve the problem.

Why does ammonia smell?

In situations where foul smell of ammonia is being caused by high protein food, you may want to change your dietary habits. You can try taking less of the protein rich food to see if the problem subsides or disappears. The smell should be able to go away when you stop taking too much of protein foods.

Why do pregnant women smell?

The reason why this may happen is because pregnant women tend to be at risk of contracting UTIs, which can lead to foul smell that has ammonia-like odor. According to The Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences, it reports that biological alterations occurring in pregnant women may influence them to having UTIs.

Can you smell urine?

Urine has some ammonia odor, but in most cases, it is not prominent enough, so you cannot be able to smell it when you urinate. If you find that your urine has a strong ammonia smell, you may want to consult a doctor for further examination.

Why does my urine smell like ammonia?

The characteristic smell of urine in a child appears for the same reasons as in an adult, in childhood, urine smells of ammonia more often due to a lack of vitamin D, which is also manifested by poor appetite, sweating palms, moody behavior, and excess body weight.

Why does urine smell?

The main causes of the appearance of the smell of urine include a lack of fluid in the body, diet, taking medications, bacterial diseases of the genitourinary system, prolonged retention of urine in the body.

What does it mean when you smell blood in your urine?

The most common symptom of the smell in urine is a strong ammonia odor. But, there are also many other symptoms, such as the blood that may appear in your urine and also a burning or itching sensation while you are urinating.

Why is urine color and odor important?

It is known that color and odor of urine reflect the health of our urinary tract and kidneys. Also, it may reflect our overall health, so we should not ignore any changes in urine.

How do you get rid of ammonia smell in your urine?

Stay hydrated. Share on Pinterest Drinking water is a simple way to stay hydrated.

What does it mean if you smell ammonia?

If the kidneys aren’t functioning well, waste materials may build up in the body. Those materials can produce an ammonia -like smell that you may notice in the back of your nose. You may also have an ammonia -like or metallic taste in your mouth.

What does diabetic urine smell like?

If you have diabetes, you may notice your pee smells sweet or fruity. This is because the body is trying to get rid of the excess blood sugar and is disposing of glucose through your urine. For people who haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, this symptom can be one of the first signs they have the disease.

What causes stinky urine in females?

Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Cystitis (bladder inflammation) Dehydration.

Should I see a doctor if my urine smells?

Urine often has a slight ammonia smell, especially first thing in the morning or when a person is dehydrated. Smelly urine can also be a sign of an infection, however, so if the smell does not go away on its own, or if additional symptoms develop, see a doctor.

Why does my urine stink?

When you’re dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell like ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Go to the doctor.

What causes strong urine smell in elderly?

Answer: Strong – smelling urine has several possible causes. One possibility, diabetes, is a serious medical concern. Other reasons can range from diet — specifically asparagus — to a urinary tract infection, which requires treatment.

What makes urine smell?

For the most part, urine carries very little odor. The reason why is simple: It’s about 95% water. The remainder amounts mostly to waste products — calcium, nitrogen, potassium and more — filtered by your kidneys.

What urine odors might mean

Not every unique urine odor can be explained simply by diet, though. Sometimes, that malodourous stream serves as a warning sign of an underlying health issue that deserves attention, says Dr. Bajic.

Bottom line

There’s usually a pretty basic explanation for urine that smells a bit different. It’s just the way your body functions, says Dr. Bajic. In most cases, that funk should disappear within a day or so.

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