by William Menna

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

Dark or cloudy urine can be indicative of a series of possible medical issues. The causes of cloudy urine range from the harmless to the inconvenient to the severe. If you ever experience repeated unexplainable abnormalities in urine color or appearance, consult your doctor, particularly if it is accompanied by any discomfort.

One of the most frequent causes of dark or cloudy urine is dehydration. When there is a greater concentration of waste solids compared to liquids, urine can become dark, cloudy, or murky. Along with fluid, urine is composed of various salts and minerals, so when these are present in a higher than normal concentration, the appearance of urine can become tainted. To prevent dehydration and to treat mild dehydration drink at least eight cups of water per day (more if you have an active lifestyle, live in a temperate climate, or weigh more than the average person).

Dark, cloudy or clear urine does not necessarily indicate a medical issue. One harmless cause of dark or cloudy urine is dietary. If you ever experience a single instance of cloudy urine, consider what you have consumed recently. Dark foods with a lot of natural dye like beets can darken or distort the appearance of urine. According to the Mayo Clinic, carrot juice and other foods that are rich with vitamin B can brighten, darken, or otherwise distort urine.

A bladder infection can precipitate dark or cloudy urine as blood becomes present in urine. According to the University of Pennsylvania Health System, bladder infections are characterized by cloudy or bloody urine, frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and discomfort or pressure in the pelvic region. Women and seniors are more likely to develop a bladder infection; dehydration is also responsible for an increased risk of bladder infection.

Kidney issues are often associated with cloudy urine. One such complication, kidney stones, can cause urine to become murky, dark, or bloody. Kidney stones can be most easily identified by extreme pain in the abdominal area; other symptoms of kidney stones include a frequent need to urinate (along with pain during urination), flu-like symptoms, and nausea. About ten percent of men and five percent of women have been afflicted with kidney stones, per the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Liver issues can also distort the appearance of urine. According to the University of Pennsylvania Health System, hepatitis B can turn urine to a dark brown color. Also known as viral hepatitis,

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