Cloudy urine can be the result of a number of possible causes. In some cases, these causes can be benign; for example, a change in diet can alter the appearance of urine. At other times, however, cloudy urine can be a symptom of something more concerning and it may appear as one of many symptoms. When this is the case, it can indicate a medical condition, frequently involving an infection of the urinary tract.

The reason for cloudy urine can be as simple as the food you eat. According to the University of Pennsylvania Health System, beats and other naturally dark foods are some of the most common culprits for causing a change in the appearance of urine. Strong food dyes and colorings can also distort its color or general appearance. Typically, when cloudy urine is caused by food or drink, it will disappear within a day or two after the cause is removed from your diet. Still, if you're not sure, it is always best to talk to your doctor even if you believe your issue is dietary in nature.

Just as cloudy urine can be a byproduct of the food you eat, it can also be related to what you don't take in. When you do not drink enough water or even become dehydrated, your urine can become dark, cloudy, and painful to excrete. The average person should drink at least eight glasses of water per day; as height and weight increase, so should water intake.

In women, vaginal secretions can bring about cloudiness or murkiness in urine. This can be a result of normal vaginal secretions or abnormal vaginal discharge. If it is the latter, it may be accompanied by itching, a rash, or unusual bleeding.

A urinary tract infection can also cause cloudy, bloody, or otherwise discolored urine. Other symptoms of urinary tract infections can include feeling a constant need to urinate, frequent urination, and burning or stinging during urination. These infections are generally treated with antibiotics and usually go away within a few days, though in some cases they can be recurrent or more severe.

Cloudy urine can also be a byproduct of a sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhea, a bacterial disease, is one of the most common STDs. White, yellow, or green discharge and pain during urination are common symptoms of gonorrhea. Since it is a bacterial infection rather than a viral infection, it is very treatable; however, if you wait too long to treat it, more serious complications can arise.

One of the symptoms of some kidney conditions is cloudiness or other discoloration of urine. Kidney stones are a common culprit of cloudy urine; other symptoms can include back pain, vomiting, fever, and burning during urination. A worst case scenario of discolored urine can be kidney cancer. This is fairly rare, however, as it affects only three in 10,000 people and is mostly associated with smoking and a family history of the disease.

Cloudy urine can be the result of a great deal of causes, some serious, some minor. In any event, if you discover any unusual color or appearance of your urine, you should err on the side of caution. Whether you believe it is simply related to a dietary change or if you suspect if could be a urinary tract infection, it is safest to have your situation examined by your doctor.

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