Dark Urine Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Normal urine is clear and has a straw-yellow color. The color of the urine, however, can vary when foods of certain types are consumed or when certain medications are taken. Some substances that can change the color of the urine and potentially lead to darker urine are carotene, food colorings, beets, blackberries, laxatives, B complex vitamins, and drugs such as
Pyridium. The urine may also appear darker when there is bleeding into the urine, and the numerous causes of bloody urine (for
example, infections, stones, cancer, trauma, kidney diseases) can all contribute to a darker appearance of the urine. In the presence of a urinary tract infection, the urine can also be cloudy and may appear darker. Jaundice, which is characterized by abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream, is caused by diseases of the liver or obstructions to the flow of bile pigment (by diseases of the head of the pancreas, diseases of the bile ducts, or the presence of stones in the bile duct) and can also be associated with darkening of the urine. It is wise to consult a health-care practitioner about any change in urine appearance that is not related to diet and/or medications.
Main Articles on Dark Urine
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Causes of Dark Urine
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Bladder Cancer
Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the tumor, and the type of bladder cancer. Options...learn more »
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Cirrhosis (Liver)
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral...learn more »
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Gallstones
Gallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a...learn more »
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Kidney Cancer
There are several types of kidney cancer, including renal cell cancer (renal adenocarcinoma or hypernephroma), transitional cell...learn more »
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Kidney Infection
Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) usually is caused from bacteria that have spread from the bladder from a UTI (urinary tract...learn more »
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Kidney Stones
One in every 20 people develop a kidney stone at some point in their life. A kidney stone is a hard mineral and crystalline...learn more »
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Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year...learn more »
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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer has been called a "silent" disease because early...learn more »
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Vasculitis
Vasculitis is a general term for a group of uncommon diseases which feature inflammation of the blood vessels. Each form of...learn more »
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Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E, F (not confirmed), and G) or...learn more »
Other Causes of Dark Urine
- Alcoholic Hepatitis
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Dietary Factors
- Glomerulonephritis
- Goodpasture's Syndrome
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Medications (Both Prescription and Nonprescription)
- Porphyria
- Schistosomiasis
- Trauma
- Viral Hepatitis
Examples of Medications for Dark Urine
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