Why Does Urine Smell?

Urine is the body’s liquid waste that is primarily composed of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. The kidneys produce it when filtering toxins and other bad substances from your blood.
The smell of urine is directly related to the volume and concentration of a variety of substances excreted by the kidneys. Normal urine contains a lot of water and has little to no odor. Urine that is highly concentrated with little water may have a strong smell of ammonia. This may cause addition stress and an unpleasant environment for people with urinary incontinence, family members and caregivers.

Many individuals dealing with urinary incontinence get dehydrated trying to reduce their consumption of liquids to reduce the volume of urine. Dehydration makes urine very concentrated resulting in a strong smell of ammonia.

Other influences on the smell of urine include foods eaten and medications (including vitamins and other supplements) that are being taken.

Odors in urine may also indicate a medical condition or disease including, but not necessarily limited to issues such as bladder infection, cystitis (bladder inflammation), congenital heart disease in adults, diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of blood acids called keytones), gastointestinal-bladder fistula (abnormal connection between intestoines and the bladder), maple syrup urine disease (rare genetic disease that cases difficulty breaking down specific amino acids), metabolic disorder (a problem with the way your body converts the foods you eat into energy), type II diabeties (uncontrolled), and urinary tract infect (UTI). Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or health care provider for an accurate diagnosis. Click here for helpful information on how to speak with your doctor or healthcare profession about incontinence. 

Many disposable incontinence products such as pads, adult diapers and protective underwear incorporate odor controlling features to help maintain a pleasant environment. These features include superabsorbent microbeads that absorb liquids and hold in smell. Many also have features that help inhibit bacterial growth with helps reduce odors and help maintain healthy skin.

Keeping incontinence products changed regularly and keeping skin in incontinence areas clean will also help manage offensive urine related odors.

There are also many odor reducing household sprays and room deodorizers that do more than simply cover up offensive odors. They attack the cause of biological odors rather than simply trying to overpower an offensive smell with a flowery or pleasant smell. Covering odors with another odor only lasts as long as the new odor stays stronger than the offensive odor. Biological odor eliminators for rooms will actually absorb and neutralize bad odors and prevent them from building up. Click here to go to room deodorizers to find one that is right for you.