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Related Concept Videos

Urine Studies I: Urinalysis01:29

Urine Studies I: Urinalysis

Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
Urine: Physical and Chemical Properties01:18

Urine: Physical and Chemical Properties

Urine comprises approximately 95% water and 5% solutes. The primary ingredient, apart from water, is urea - a byproduct of the breakdown of amino acids. Other notable components include uric acid, a residue from nucleic acid metabolism, and creatinine, a metabolite from creatine phosphate breakdown in skeletal muscle tissue.
The concentration of these solutes varies, with urea being the most abundant nitrogenous waste product. Other solutes include sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphate,...
Physiology of Urine Formation01:24

Physiology of Urine Formation

Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...
Formation of Dilute Urine01:20

Formation of Dilute Urine

The formation of dilute urine is a critical renal adaptation that maintains fluid balance, particularly during periods of high fluid intake. This process primarily involves the juxtamedullary nephrons. By adjusting the permeability of water and ions in response to physiological conditions, the kidneys can either conserve or excrete water, resulting in concentrated or dilute urine.
Filtrate Osmolarity in the PCT
Initially, as the filtrate passes through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), its...

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Abnormal urine color.

Ryan D Aycock1, Dara A Kass

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York 10305, USA. ryanaycock@gmail.com

Southern Medical Journal
|December 23, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Abnormal urine color can be alarming, but is often benign. A detailed patient history and urinalysis can help physicians diagnose the cause and create a treatment plan.

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Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Nephrology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Altered urine color is a common clinical presentation.
  • Causes range from benign dietary/medication effects to serious pathology.
  • Prompt diagnosis is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of abnormal urine color causes.
  • To guide physicians in differential diagnosis.
  • To assist in developing targeted treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical literature on urine color changes.
  • Analysis of diagnostic approaches including patient history and urinalysis.
  • Synthesis of information on various etiological factors.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous causes of urine discoloration.
  • Highlighted the diagnostic utility of thorough patient history.
  • Emphasized the role of urinalysis in differentiating benign from pathological conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Many abnormal urine color cases are manageable with conservative measures.
  • Systematic diagnostic approach aids in identifying underlying diseases.
  • Physicians can effectively narrow differential diagnoses with key clinical information.