We all know the smell of urine. Anyone who has ever gone into a public restroom, changed a diaper, or sat down on a toilet knows the smell. It’s a distinct smell, for sure, but it usually isn’t foul smelling or particularly pungent. For the most part, urine just smells like….pee.
What does it mean if your urine is especially smelly, though? Is it cause for alarm, or is it just caused by something you ate? Today, FastMed Urgent Care answers some of your questions about funk, stink, and smell.
To Pee or Not to Pee, That Is the Question
Smelly urine can be a real problem. If nothing else, it can be embarrassing. When you go to your boyfriend’s house, when your boss walks into the stall next to you at work, when there is a line waiting to pounce on that porcelain throne you just used at the mall, you will always find yourself wondering …
Can they smell what I smell?
The good news is that the smelly urine you’re sniffing at is most likely caused by something you ate.
That banana smoothie you drank … yep, smelly urine.
That chicken salad sandwich you had for lunch … oh, definitely some smelly urine.
That huge side of asparagus you had with your steak last night … smelly, smelly, oh-so-extra smelly urine.
Foods that are high in vitamin B-6, like bananas and chicken, can cause your urine to take on a strong odor. According to the French novelist Marcel Proust, asparagus will transform your chamber-pot into a “flask of perfume.” (I’m not sure if that is a perfume I would want to try, but hey, #YOLO).
These are instances of when you should worry about your smelly urine:
- Sweet-smelling urine can be a sign of diabetes
- Urine that smells like ammonia could signify an infection or kidney stones
If your smelly urine persists or becomes worrisome, stop by FastMed Urgent Care–day or night. With extended hours during the week, as well as operating hours on weekends and holidays, FastMed is a leader in offering medical care that is prompt, personal, and available when you need it. You can check-in online right now!