Why does my urine smell like ammonia

 When the urine contains waste products, the urine may smell like ammonia.

Why does urine smell?

The color and smell of urine will vary depending on the amount of waste and fluid ingested throughout the day.

However, some unusual smells may indicate that you need to see a doctor. One such example is that the urine has a sweet taste, which may indicate too much glucose (blood sugar) in the urine.

The other is the smell of ammonia, which has a strong chemical odor. While urine doesn't always smell like ammonia, it can be a cause for concern in some cases.

What are the potential causes of urine smelling like ammonia?

Waste in the urine usually has an odor, but the urine is usually diluted enough to make the waste odorless. However, if the urine becomes thicker — which means more waste products associated with the liquid — the urine is more likely to smell like ammonia.

Urea is a waste product in the urine. It is a by-product of protein breakdown, which in some cases can be further broken down into ammonia. Therefore, many conditions that lead to urine concentration can cause urine to smell like ammonia.

Conditions that can cause a person's urine to smell like ammonia include:

Bladder stones

Stones in the bladder or kidneys can accumulate due to too much waste in the bladder. Other symptoms of bladder stones include:

• Turbid urine
• Blood in the urine
• Stomach ache
• Dark urine

Bladder stones themselves can be caused by a variety of conditions.

 

Dehydration

Not having enough fluid circulating in the body means that the kidneys are more likely to stay hydrated but release waste products. As a result, the urine may be thicker and smell like ammonia. If your urine is darker and you excrete only a small amount of urine, you may be dehydrated.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

A bladder infection or other infection affecting the urinary tract can cause urine to smell like ammonia. Other symptoms associated with UTIs include:

• Pain when urinating
• Stomach ache
• Feeling that you need to urinate regularly without producing a lot of urine

In most cases, bacteria cause urinary tract infections.

Food

Because of the unique combination of foods, sometimes urine smells like ammonia. This usually does not attract attention unless it is accompanied by other uncomfortable symptoms.

Should you see a doctor about urine that smells like ammonia?

Occasionally there is urine that smells like ammonia and usually does not attract attention. You may need to drink more water to dilute the urine. However, if pain or potential signs of infection, such as fever, accompany your symptoms then you should see a doctor.

The doctor will first ask questions about your symptoms. These may include:

• How long has your urine smelled like ammonia?
• Is there a time when your urine smells particularly thick?
• Do you have any other symptoms, such as blood in the urine, fever, pain in the back or lower back, or pain when urinating?

Your doctor will use these reactions to consider the next diagnostic test. Sometimes, doctors will do tests to check whether a man's prostate has the potential to affect signs of swelling when urinating. They may also ask for a urine test. A urine sample is sent to a laboratory and then tested for bacteria, blood, bladder fragments or kidney stones, or other waste components. Usually, this test and a description of your symptoms can help the doctor diagnose the cause of the urine that smells like ammonia.

Your doctor may also order imaging tests to detect abnormalities in the kidneys, bladder, or other areas that may affect urine.

Q: Does
the urine smell like ammonia I am pregnant?

Anonymous patients

A:
The composition of the urine does not change much during pregnancy, so it should not smell like ammonia. However, it is common to have urine checked regularly during pregnancy, and it is recommended to help identify any underlying problems during pregnancy. For example, an increase in sugar in the urine may indicate a risk of gestational diabetes. Ketones in the urine indicate that your body is not getting enough carbohydrates. Elevated protein levels may be a sign of urinary tract infection or kidney damage. Some of these conditions manifest as urine smelling like ammonia, but this is not the norm for every pregnancy.

The answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

How to deal with urine that smells like ammonia?

If the urine smells like ammonia and is caused by an underlying infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. These can reduce the incidence and overgrowth of urinary tract bacteria.

You should also take steps to maintain good bladder health, which can reduce the incidence of dehydration and the likelihood that you will develop a urinary tract infection.

For example, drink at least six glasses of 8 ounces of water a day. Drinking a cup of cranberry juice every day or adding lemon to the water will change the acidity of the urine. If you experience many infections, this can be good for your bladder health.

What are the prospects for people whose urine smells like ammonia?

Most cases of urine that smell like ammonia can be treated with liquid or antibiotic medications.

Ideally, your urine should be pale yellow to straw-colored. If it is still darker than usual after 24 hours, see a doctor. If you think you may have a potential infection or other medical problem, you should also always seek treatment.

Conclusion

When the urine contains waste products, the urine may smell like ammonia. A variety of conditions can cause waste products to accumulate in the urine, such as bladder stones, dehydration, and urinary tract infections. In most cases, urine that smells like ammonia can be treated with liquid or antibiotic medications.