Contents:
- Medical Video: What the odor and colour of your urine reveals about your health
- The cause of urine smells sweet
- 1. Diabetes
- 2. Diabetic ketoacidosis
- 3. Maple syrup urine disease
- 4. Medications and supplements
- 5. Dehydration
- 6. Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- 7. Foetor hepaticus
Medical Video: What the odor and colour of your urine reveals about your health
It is very natural if urine smells pungent, because of the ammonia content in it. Well, another thing if urine smells sweet. It could be that there are certain health problems behind the condition.
The cause of urine smells sweet
Your diet and fluid intake can affect the smell and color of urine. If urine changes temporarily, this can be caused by something you ate before. Jengkol or petai for example, these two foods will cause a very strong odor in your urine.
Some disorders, drugs, and supplements can also affect the smell of urine. Then, if urine smells sweet, what is the most likely cause?
1. Diabetes
Someone with uncontrolled diabetes may have very high blood glucose levels. The body tries to get rid of excess glucose in the urine to cause urine to smell sweet.
In addition, usually people with diabetes may have other symptoms, such as fatigue, easy thirst, frequent urination, easy hunger, and weight loss for no reason.
2. Diabetic ketoacidosis
This condition occurs if your body does not have enough insulin to process the incoming sugar. Instead, the body will burn fat as energy.
As a result, acids called ketones accumulate in the blood. If left untreated, this ketone substance can poison you. Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the short-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes. Even so people with type 2 diabetes can have symptoms.
Just like the mechanism in people affected by diabetes, glucose is removed through urine to produce a sweet aroma.
3. Maple syrup urine disease
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a genetic disorder in which a person cannot digest certain proteins. This condition is a congenital disorder, which usually causes urine to smell sweet in children and babies.
This disorder can be fatal if left untreated. Even so, this disease can be treated with medical treatment. Babies with this condition also have other symptoms, namely fatigue, unusual movements, delayed development, eating less, and vomiting.
4. Medications and supplements
Some supplements, especially vitamin B6 supplements, can change the smell of urine. Certain drugs can also change the color and smell of urine.
If you are just starting a new treatment, discuss with your doctor if you experience changes in the color and smell of urine.
5. Dehydration
When a person is dehydrated, this makes urine more concentrated (more concentrated). Urine may appear very yellow, or even chocolate and more concentrated urine will smell more stinging.
While the most common smell is the stinging ammonia smell However, some people report that dehydration makes urine smell sweet or smell of fruit.
When your urine is very dark, you have to drink more water. If symptoms don't improve within a few hours, you should immediately see a doctor.
6. Urinary tract infections (UTI)
Urinary tract infections are very common infections in the urinary system. This infection occurs when bacteria are in the urethra (where urine flows from the bladder outside the body).
One of the first signs of a UTI is a stinging or sweet-smelling urine odor. This is because of the bacteria in the urine that you remove. Another symptom is a continuous urge to urinate and a burning sensation when urinating.
7. Foetor hepaticus
Foetor hepaticus is a condition that causes your breath to smell sweet or musty. This smell most often affects the breath, but can also affect urine. This condition is called "the breath of the dead."
Foetor hepaticus is a side effect of portal hypertension and liver disease. Treatment for this condition varies depending on the cause, and can include medication and surgery.
