Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with family and have some delicious food. Unfortunately, you've noticed your urine take on a pink color after your family dinner. What is happening here and is it a serious problem?
Beets Can Make Urine Pink
There's a good chance that some of the foods you ate might be staining your urine. Beets and other very red foods often cause your urine to take on a unique color. This is so common when eating beets that a condition known as beeturia has been identified and named by medical experts. The exact color will vary, but it is typically pink to dark red.
If you ate beets at your Thanksgiving dinner, there's a good chance beeturia might be the culprit. Your pink or red urine should pass in a few days and return it to its normal yellow or clear color. However, if it persists longer than a week, you might have a health problem.
If The Color Doesn't Go Away, It May Be Blood
Unfortunately, continually pink urine might indicate a more serious influence: blood. This condition, known as hematuria, isn't necessarily an immediate problem. Typically, blood in the urine originates in either the kidney, the bladder, the urethra, or the ureters. It may be caused by overeating or drinking too much liquids on Thanksgiving, which can cause temporary damage to these areas of the body.
However, it could also be a sign of a more serious problem. This is especially true if pain accompanies urination. If this pain continues to increase in severity over a period of time, there's a good chance that a more serious problem is at work in your body.
What Causes Blood In The Urine
Understanding what causes blood in the urine is an important step in gauging whether or not a trip to a urologist is necessary. While blood may occur and pass in time, there's a chance that it might stick around for awhile and even cause serious pain. Conditions that may lead to blood in your urine include:
Many of these conditions are very serious and need to be treated right away. A good urologist will understand how to diagnose these problems and to find a treatment that works for your needs. Typically, treatment will consist of repairing damage to the impacted area. Don't be afraid to talk to a urologist if you see blood in your urine after Thanksgiving: it could be lifesaving.
Share30 November 2016
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