Why does urine sometimes smell of amonia?

Question

Is it a symptom of infection or something lacking in the diet or something else?

Yes, I know it's a component but It should'nt smell of Amonia as it normally does'nt any ideas? I cant seem to find anything on the web.

Answer 1

Fresh urine which has just been produced by the kidneys and has not yet left the body is sterile and has no smell, or only a very weak smell. This smell isn't usually very offensive but simply the particular earthy smell of wee.

But as soon as urine is exposed to air, when you pee it out, it starts to be broken down by bacteria which contaminate it from the outer part of the urinary tract and your skin. Then the salts in the urine, especially urea, are converted to chemicals such as ammonia which have a powerful smell which many people recoil at or describe as offensive.

If you're passing urine which already smells unpleasant then this may be a sign that there are bacteria in the urinary tract breaking down urine before it has been passed out. If this is so, then you may have an infection which needs treating.

The colour of urine varies enormously. The yellow colour comes from the excretion of breakdown products of bile, which is pigmented. Urine is usually very pale yellow or almost colourless if you're drinking a lot of fluid (because it then contains a large amount of water), and darker yellow if you're drinking less or even dehydrated, because there's much less water and a larger proportion of the pigmented bile products.

If you're jaundiced, with excessive bile pigment in your blood, then the urine will contain more of these pigments and look darker yellow, orange or brown. Blood in the urine can make it red, and rare diseases such as porphyria can also turn the urine red. But other things can colour urine, from beetroot in your diet (red) to asparagus (green and smelly!). Infection doesn't usually affect colour of urine. More important is whether the urine is cloudy - this may be a sign of infection although can be because of kidney stones too.

It's possible to have a urinary tract infection without symptoms but most people will also problems such as:

pain (stinging or burning) on passing urine
constant feeling of needing to pass urine
difficulty starting to pass urine
fever
generally feeling unwell, nauseous

The explanation for strong smelling dark urine could simply be that you're not drinking enough fluid and your urine is very concentrated. But if you have any of these symptoms, or if you're still worried, do get checked by your doctor.

Answer 2

Individuals with advanced cirrhosis or acute liver failure may have elevated concentrations of ammonia in the blood. This is because ammonia, which is primarily generated in the gut by bacteria, bypasses the diseased liver and gets directly into the circulation. Such individuals may even smell like ammonia. This generally only occurs, however, in individuals with advanced liver disease.

The kidney also produces ammonia and ammonia is found in the urine, where it acts as a buffer (enables the kidney to excrete more acid). Urine can smell like ammonia in any normal individual and the intensity can vary depending upon different factors (e.g. urine concentration). There is no association between "ammonia smell in urine" and PBC, except perhaps in the setting of advanced liver disease.

Answer 3

Urine always contains small amounts of ammonia.Put a search in yahoo theres plenty of info.Good Luck

Answer 4

I've been pregnant twice and the only change to my urine was the frequency, not the smell. I agree with the first answerer, you are probably dehydrated and possibly drinking too many sodas.

Answer 5

Ammonia smell only starts once the liquid begins to evaporate. This is due to the pH change (not Pee) with concentration, as ammonia is only produced when the pH gets above 8.5 - 9

Answer 6

that is usually a sign that you need more water. your urine is too concentrated . it could be a problem with the kidneys or bladder also. flush your system with lots of water and drink cranberry juice to help balance out the ph and see your doctor if it doesnt clear up quickly.

Answer 7

Urine is named for a major excretory product called urea. When urea breaks down ammonia is one of the products. When it was discovered in the 19th century that urea is made of hydrogen,carbon,and nitrogen-i.e. ordinary elements that non-living things are made of ,it was a great shock and surprise,because it was assumed that life must be made of different stuff than non-life.Theologists went crazy about it. It must be wrong. We are sacred,made by God. But it's true. All we are made of physically is the same stuff that other things are made of,but the romantic bit is that all the elements except hydrogen that make us were made in stars. We are star-dust so Be Happy,even when changing ammoniated nappies.Love from Jonal

Answer 8

No, usually it's because it has started to oxidise which is a natural process, so don't worry.

Answer 9

muurin smell like clor inwhat does mean

Answer 10

Ammonia is a component of urine.