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Why does my pee smell like peanut butter


Causes, symptoms, and when to see a doctor

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Urine usually smells mild, but various factors can cause it to have a different odor than usual. A person may be concerned if their urine smells like popcorn. However, this can occur for several reasons, most of which are no cause for concern.

The common causes of urine having a popcorn-like smell include diabetes, pregnancy, and a diet high in protein.

This article discusses some of the reasons why a person’s urine may smell like popcorn and explains when to see a doctor about changes in urine odor.

People may worry if their urine smells like popcorn, but this is not uncommon, and in most cases, the odor change is temporary. However, if the unusual smell persists, it is worth seeing a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Urine consists mainly of water. When it looks or smells different than usual, this is due to waste products that come from the body. Therefore, the look and smell of urine can tell doctors a lot about a person’s health.

Common reasons for urine to smell like popcorn include:

Diabetes

People with diabetes may have a very high level of ketones in their bloodstream. When the body excretes these in the urine, they can make the urine smell like popcorn. A high level of ketones in the urine or blood occurs when a person enters ketosis.

The body will produce ketones when it does not have enough sugar or glucose for fuel. This might happen overnight or when a person is fasting.

Having a small number of ketones in the bloodstream is normal, especially for people who exercise a lot or do other activities that encourage the body to burn fat. However, if a person with diabetes does not control their condition, a dangerously high level of ketones can build in their blood.

This life threatening metabolic state is called ketoacidosis, and it requires immediate medical attention. For some people, it is the first sign that they have diabetes.

In most cases, people with ketoacidosis have sweet, strong-smelling urine. Ketoacidosis can develop within 24 hours of having consistently high blood glucose levels, called hyperglycemia.

It is possible to measure urinary ketones using ketone strips, which are available in drugstores or online.

Additional signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

  • increased urination
  • dehydration
  • excessive, unquenchable thirst
  • sweet-smelling, or “fruity,” breath
  • rapid heartbeat
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • confusion and disorientation
  • hyperventilating or Kussmaul breathing, which is deep, labored breathing
  • fainting

Ketoacidosis constitutes a medical emergency, so if anyone suspects this condition, they should call the emergency services immediately.

Other than diabetes, the most common causes of ketoacidosis are starvation and chronic, excessive alcohol use.

Eating a lot of protein

Another way to enter ketosis is by eating a lot of protein. When a person eats a lot of protein instead of carbohydrates, their body uses protein and stored fat for energy instead of using carbohydrates as it would usually do.

As a result, the ketone level in the blood will rise. When these ketones leave the body in the urine, the urine may smell sweet or similar to popcorn.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the smell of urine may change for a few reasons, including:

  • Altered sense of smell: As a person’s sense of smell changes slightly during pregnancy, everyday scents may smell different than usual.
  • Hormonal changes: In the very early stages of pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) circulate in the blood, which can cause urine to smell different or more strongly.
  • Gestational diabetes: Research suggests that in the United States, about 1 in 13 pregnant people over the age of 20 years develop a form of temporary diabetes known as gestational diabetes. Ketoacidosis is a serious but rare complication in those with gestational diabetes.

Dehydration

When someone is dehydrated, the body excretes less water in the urine. As a result, the urine is more concentrated, darker, and stronger smelling than usual. If the waste products in urine have a popcorn smell, the urine may also smell like popcorn once it is more concentrated.

Aside from strong-smelling urine, additional symptoms of dehydration include:

  • exhaustion
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • reduced urination
  • a headache
  • weakness

People usually do not need to worry if their urine smells a bit different than usual for a day or two.

However, if they notice that their urine smells sweet, resembling the smell of popcorn, for several days, they should speak with a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

In particular, people who have diabetes or are pregnant should talk with a doctor about any changes in the smell of their urine, especially if it is strong and sweet smelling.

Popcorn-scented urine typically occurs as a result of dietary factors or dehydration and is no cause for concern.

However, if the smell lasts longer than a few days, with diet or fluid intake unlikely to be the cause, it is best to visit a doctor.

Pregnant people and those with diabetes or other symptoms of diabetes should speak with a doctor if they notice the smell. In these circumstances, popcorn-scented urine may be a sign of a serious medical issue.

Causes, symptoms, and when to see a doctor

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Urine usually smells mild, but various factors can cause it to have a different odor than usual. A person may be concerned if their urine smells like popcorn. However, this can occur for several reasons, most of which are no cause for concern.

The common causes of urine having a popcorn-like smell include diabetes, pregnancy, and a diet high in protein.

This article discusses some of the reasons why a person’s urine may smell like popcorn and explains when to see a doctor about changes in urine odor.

People may worry if their urine smells like popcorn, but this is not uncommon, and in most cases, the odor change is temporary. However, if the unusual smell persists, it is worth seeing a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Urine consists mainly of water. When it looks or smells different than usual, this is due to waste products that come from the body. Therefore, the look and smell of urine can tell doctors a lot about a person’s health.

Common reasons for urine to smell like popcorn include:

Diabetes

People with diabetes may have a very high level of ketones in their bloodstream. When the body excretes these in the urine, they can make the urine smell like popcorn. A high level of ketones in the urine or blood occurs when a person enters ketosis.

The body will produce ketones when it does not have enough sugar or glucose for fuel. This might happen overnight or when a person is fasting.

Having a small number of ketones in the bloodstream is normal, especially for people who exercise a lot or do other activities that encourage the body to burn fat. However, if a person with diabetes does not control their condition, a dangerously high level of ketones can build in their blood.

This life threatening metabolic state is called ketoacidosis, and it requires immediate medical attention. For some people, it is the first sign that they have diabetes.

In most cases, people with ketoacidosis have sweet, strong-smelling urine. Ketoacidosis can develop within 24 hours of having consistently high blood glucose levels, called hyperglycemia.

It is possible to measure urinary ketones using ketone strips, which are available in drugstores or online.

Additional signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

  • increased urination
  • dehydration
  • excessive, unquenchable thirst
  • sweet-smelling, or “fruity,” breath
  • rapid heartbeat
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • confusion and disorientation
  • hyperventilating or Kussmaul breathing, which is deep, labored breathing
  • fainting

Ketoacidosis constitutes a medical emergency, so if anyone suspects this condition, they should call the emergency services immediately.

Other than diabetes, the most common causes of ketoacidosis are starvation and chronic, excessive alcohol use.

Eating a lot of protein

Another way to enter ketosis is by eating a lot of protein. When a person eats a lot of protein instead of carbohydrates, their body uses protein and stored fat for energy instead of using carbohydrates as it would usually do.

As a result, the ketone level in the blood will rise. When these ketones leave the body in the urine, the urine may smell sweet or similar to popcorn.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the smell of urine may change for a few reasons, including:

  • Altered sense of smell: As a person’s sense of smell changes slightly during pregnancy, everyday scents may smell different than usual.
  • Hormonal changes: In the very early stages of pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) circulate in the blood, which can cause urine to smell different or more strongly.
  • Gestational diabetes: Research suggests that in the United States, about 1 in 13 pregnant people over the age of 20 years develop a form of temporary diabetes known as gestational diabetes. Ketoacidosis is a serious but rare complication in those with gestational diabetes.

Dehydration

When someone is dehydrated, the body excretes less water in the urine. As a result, the urine is more concentrated, darker, and stronger smelling than usual. If the waste products in urine have a popcorn smell, the urine may also smell like popcorn once it is more concentrated.

Aside from strong-smelling urine, additional symptoms of dehydration include:

  • exhaustion
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • reduced urination
  • a headache
  • weakness

People usually do not need to worry if their urine smells a bit different than usual for a day or two.

However, if they notice that their urine smells sweet, resembling the smell of popcorn, for several days, they should speak with a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

In particular, people who have diabetes or are pregnant should talk with a doctor about any changes in the smell of their urine, especially if it is strong and sweet smelling.

Popcorn-scented urine typically occurs as a result of dietary factors or dehydration and is no cause for concern.

However, if the smell lasts longer than a few days, with diet or fluid intake unlikely to be the cause, it is best to visit a doctor.

Pregnant people and those with diabetes or other symptoms of diabetes should speak with a doctor if they notice the smell. In these circumstances, popcorn-scented urine may be a sign of a serious medical issue.

Why does men have a strong smell of urine? / All Clinics and Medical Centers in Tashkent, Addresses and Phones of clinics

A change in the organoleptic properties of urine is the first thing that is noticeable to the naked eye, and can be determined by the patient himself. But, answering the question why urine smells strongly, you need to determine the reasons for this phenomenon. The presence of a noticeable pronounced miasma in a product of vital activity does not always indicate the presence of pathological processes. As you know, urine is the end product of metabolism, and its external characteristics can temporarily change due to the peculiarities of nutrition, hormonal status and lifestyle of a particular person.

In what situations is a change in the usual aroma of urine not regarded as a sign of pathology: When increased physical activity or hot weather leads to increased sweating, and an insufficient amount of fluid entering the body causes dehydration. One of its signs can be called the characteristic appearance of excreted urine. At the same time, urination is rare, the volume of the waste fluid is scarce and has a concentrated appearance: saturated color and urine smells strongly.

When certain types of products are used for food, they can give the secreted liquid a characteristic sharp iron. These include coffee, beer, asparagus, garlic.

When drugs of the vitamin group or enzyme series are used to treat the underlying disease. Most of them give the product of vital activity a specific, sharp, acidic miasm, as warned in the annotation to the drug.

Tip: if after twenty-four hours after the completion of the course of treatment, return to normal nutrition, normalization of the drinking regime and good rest, undesirable signs remain in the urine, then the presence of the disease can be considered the cause of their appearance.

What diseases affect the smell of urine?

The process of formation of urinary stones in any of the departments of the urinary system: the bladder, renal pelvis, ureters. An exacerbation of the disease, manifested by the movement of calculi along the urinary tract, causes severe pain and a noticeable ammonia fetor in urine, which persists for a long time.

Inflammatory reactions in the mucous layer of the urinary tract, as well as in the parenchymal part of the kidneys, can give the secreted fluid an unpleasant, putrid amber, combined with other negative visual changes.

Genetically determined disorders of metabolic processes (leucinosis). One of the characteristic manifestations of this pathology is the special aroma of the secreted liquid, similar to maple syrup. This pathology belongs to the category of congenital and has no specific treatment. To combat it, only symptomatic or palliative therapy is available.

Lack of liver function. In almost all variants, it is manifested by visual changes in the organoleptic characteristics of the product of vital activity. The liver has a detoxifying duty. When the work of hepatocytes is disrupted, the end substances of metabolism are not fully inactivated, accumulating in the blood over time. Passing through the kidney filter system, some of them enters the urine, giving it an unpleasant iron.

Ketoacidosis is a complication of type 2 diabetes. Due to a violation of carbohydrate-fat metabolism, one to two hours after eating, and in the morning hours, urine acquires a pronounced acid-base iron. This is a signal that the dose of the corrective drug is chosen incorrectly. An unpleasant symptom will disappear with an increase in the dosage of hypoglycemic agents.

If the urine of men smells like ammonia, then this is a sign of insufficient production of the liver enzyme responsible for the utilization of this substance. On the other hand, a similar transformation of the smell of urine occurs against the background:

Predominant consumption of protein foods,

Inadequate drinking regime,

Long retention of urine,

Exceeding the recommended dosage when using iron and calcium preparations.

The appearance of "mouse" amber is caused by a change in the qualitative composition of the secreted liquid against the background of a violation of amino acid metabolism. At the same time, the delay in the tissues of phenelin contributes to the development of the pathology of the central nervous system, and the characteristic miasm of secretions appears in babies immediately after birth.

Why did the urine have an unpleasant smell of fish. This may be a manifestation of a serious genetic disorder in the breakdown of trimelamine, due to an enzymatic deficiency in the liver. To provoke such a change in the product of vital activity can: weakness of immunity, infectious and inflammatory phenomena of the urinary tract, diseases that have a sexual mode of transmission.

With an increased content of sulfur in the body, the secreted liquid acquires a miasm of rotten eggs. This is due to the increased consumption of foods containing sulfin. The compound accumulates and is then excreted in the urine.

Unpleasant "feline" fetor to waste products can be transmitted due to impaired breakdown of lecithin, characteristic of the pathological condition of B-methylcrotonylglycinuria.

What should be feared?

Changes in the natural smell of urine in men can occur as an independent phenomenon, or in combination with other negative symptoms. They need to be known because such a condition requires mandatory medical examination and treatment.

Concern should be raised:

Decreased interest in food,

Excessive unreasonable thirst,

Sexual dysfunction,

Obvious swelling of the face and limbs,

Burning sensation accompanying completion of urination,

Pain in the lower back,

Appearance of erosions and ulcers on the genitals,

Turbidity of urine, the presence of sediment and flakes in it.

According to the laws of nature, male urine has a more pronounced specific smell. This is due to the high content of sex hormones in their secretions. Temporary strengthening of amber is caused by drinking beer and physical activity. If the negative change is stable and persists for a long time, especially if combined with other pathological signs, then such a phenomenon requires a medical examination.

For questions, you can contact by phone + (998 71) 140-03-03, + (998 71) 140-01-60 and at Chilanzar, quarter 12, st. M. Shaikhzoda, d.7.

How to deal with unpleasant odors in the home of a seriously ill person - Pro Palliative

In the home of a seriously ill person, especially when it comes to a bed patient, it often smells unpleasant. This happens even when a person is looked after, carefully monitored for cleanliness in his room and observe all the rules of hygiene. Moreover, sometimes the smells of the disease are so caustic that they soak the things of everyone who lives with a seriously ill person in the same apartment. Even after taking a shower and changing clothes, people smell from themselves, and this takes away the last strength: as if you carry your misfortune with you all the time.

“When I was working as a nurse in the intensive care unit, my neighbor Tanya, who was caring for a seriously ill mother, once asked me to come in,” says Kristina Osotova, was my help to measure my mother's blood pressure. When I entered the apartment, I immediately noticed the pungent smell of urine. The source of the smell was a diaper that was placed under a sick woman. Due to a spinal injury, she could not stand up and also suffered from urinary incontinence. Since it was not possible to immediately change the diaper, the woman lay on the damp, urine-soaked bedding, exuding a terrible smell.

Incontinence is indeed a serious problem in bedridden patients, but at least some of the discomfort can be eliminated. First of all, choose the right absorbent underwear. How to do it - watch the video. Secondly, put a waterproof mattress pad on the bed so that urine does not soak into the mattress. Thirdly, to carry out hygiene in time and change diapers / absorbent diapers, using a special cream in the care of the perineum.

Understanding where unpleasant odors come from and what can be done to get rid of them.

How smell works

Natural human smell consists of about 300 components. Their proportion and combination are different for all people. This formula is a kind of “fingerprint”, unique for each person. Our body emits a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), both odorous and unscented. They vary depending on age, sex, diet, physiological status and genetic background.

What diseases smell like

Body odors often act as signals that convey information about a person's health status. Infection and metabolic disorders affect our "smell fingerprints". Researchers have identified disease-specific odors:

  • Pungent ammonia odor (at low concentration, "herring" odor) is characteristic of the breath of patients with trimethylaminuria;
  • Acetone is found in the breath of diabetic patients;
  • The smell of rotten cabbage comes from patients with liver disease;
  • The smell of urea is a signal of insufficient kidney function. This is how uremia manifests itself - the accumulation of nitrogenous slags in the blood, which provoke the appearance of a specific odor from the body and when breathing.

What smells?

The main sources of odors are breath, sweat, skin, urine, feces and vaginal secretions. Some metabolically produced VOCs are also released into the blood and then released into the external environment through breathing and/or sweat. So blood is also indirectly considered a source of body odor.

Skin and sweat

Sweat is a clear, odorless liquid. It consists of water, salts, proteins and fats. We sweat to cool our body, a process called thermoregulation. There are more than 3 million sweat glands in the human body that “fire” on a signal from the brain when body temperature rises. The liquid evaporates from the surface of the skin, the temperature drops.

Sweat acquires an unpleasant odor when bacteria from the surface of the skin enter it.

Bad breath

The main cause of bad breath is an imbalance in the oral microflora. Normally, there is a "useful" microflora in the mouth. It inhibits the reproduction of "opportunistic" bacteria, such as E. coli and some streptococci. The nutrient medium for microflora is a dense protein coating on the tongue, teeth and the inner surface of the cheeks. When something “breaks” in the body, “foreign” volatile compounds begin to be produced in the mouth. They give off bad odors. For example, the pungent smell of feces and rotten cabbage gives methyl mercaptan, cadaverine gives a putrid smell and the smell of urine, and isovaleric acid gives the smell of sweat, rancid milk, spoiled cheese.

Dental care for seriously ill people: is it necessary? How are teeth treated for a person with oncology, diabetes, hypertension, dementia? Why not take antibiotics just in case? Is it necessary to brush the teeth of a person who eats through a gastrostomy? Can anesthetize a person receiving morphine?

Faeces

Examination of volatile organic compounds in feces can be a good way to diagnose gastrointestinal diseases. If the stool acquires a distinctly sour smell (especially when paired with diarrhea, bloating), there is a high risk of lactose intolerance. The body produces too little lactase, a digestive enzyme needed to properly break down the lactose found in dairy products. Undigested dairy products begin to ferment in the intestines, forming gases, which cause the specific smell of the stool.

Vaginal discharge

Normal vaginal discharge at all stages of the menstrual cycle is almost odorless. If the vaginal discharge develops an unpleasant odor similar to cheesy or fishy, ​​this may indicate a bacterial infection of the vagina and/or cervix.

Urine

The smell of ammonia in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection such as cystitis or kidney disease. If the urine smells of acetone, then, as in the case of breathing, this is most likely a sign of a carbohydrate metabolism disorder resulting from insulin deficiency. This is a dangerous condition that can lead to coma.

Acetone odor in the urine may be due to fasting, a low carbohydrate diet, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea. In any case, the unnatural smell of urine is a reason to see a doctor.

Wounds

Some patients with external oncology are concerned about the odor coming from wounds. Such wounds appear when malignant tumor cells thicken and collapse. In addition, sometimes various volatile substances are formed in the body of people with cancer: alkanes, formaldehyde, pentane, and benzene derivatives. Because of them, the body begins to smell like missing meat.

Tumor Disintegration Care: What Relatives Need to Know Brief Instructions for Home Carers of End-stage Cancer Patients

Is the Smell of “Old Age” the Smell of Disease?

You must have noticed that older people have a special smell. For some it is stronger, for others it is almost invisible. This smell can not be called unpleasant - it is just characteristic. A substance called 2-nonenal is “responsible” for it. Its production by the body is just as natural a part of the aging process as, for example, wrinkles.

Nonenal is a fatty compound, so even thorough washing does not help to completely get rid of the smell. In addition, sebum is secreted and oxidized constantly, so that a few hours after the shower, the smell returns.

There is no proven way to get rid of the “old age smell”, but dermatologists advise: wear clothes made from natural fabrics, regularly exfoliate dead skin particles, moisturize the skin well.

Unfortunately, elderly people's homes sometimes smell bad for other reasons as well. Keeping clean, washing things on time, taking care of the hygiene of pets can be difficult for people of age. Someone stores old things in closets without touching them for years. Some are even afraid to ventilate the room, fearing drafts.

Depositphotos.com

To get rid of the "senile" smell in the house, you need to follow the usual rules of hygiene:

  • Wash all textiles as they become soiled;
  • Throw away old, unnecessary things;
  • Moisturize at least 2-3 times per week;
  • Reduce where possible the number of carpets;
  • Ventilate rooms regularly;
  • Dry clean upholstered furniture every 2-3 months.

What remedies will help to cope with unpleasant body odors
How to reduce the smell from a wound?

Help reduce odor Metronidazole Gel for topical use. The gel is applied directly to the wound once or twice a day. Studies have shown that wound odor decreases after 2-3 days and application is usually continued for up to 2 weeks. If necessary, the courses are repeated. You can also use metronidazole tablets. They should be crushed, and the powder should be sprinkled on the wound.

Also effective against bad breath dressings containing silver.

Askina Calgitrolag Ag / Bbraun.ru

Silver Cosmopor / Hartmann-shop.ru

e.g. Askina (Askina) Calgitrol (Cargidrol) Ag). Silver ions have an antiseptic effect.

Suitable for neutralizing odors from wounds and activated charcoal dressings (e.g. Askina Carbosorb). Askina Carbosorb charcoal bandage

An unpleasant odor occurs when sweat lingers on the skin without evaporating quickly enough from the surface. It occurs most often in the armpits, on the feet and between the toes, in the groin. It is important to wash these body parts with an appropriate soap or shower gel and dry thoroughly with a towel. If possible, hair should be removed from them. This will also help in the fight against unpleasant body odor.

Deodorants inhibit the activity of bacteria. By doing this, they eliminate the unpleasant odor, but do not prevent its occurrence.

Antiperspirant works differently. It blocks the activity of apocrine sweat glands (it is they that give an unpleasant pungent odor).

Antimicrobials such as propylene glycol, triclosan, benzalkonium chloride and metal salts are sometimes added to deodorants and antiperspirants. Some flavors (cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, geraniol) also have antimicrobial properties.

If conventional deodorant irritates the underarm skin, natural deodorant can be used.

Natural deodorant / eapteka.ru

Natural roll-on deodorant / Yandex.Market

It does not contain aluminum, parabens and phthalates. It typically contains baking soda, coconut oil, zinc oxide, and mineral salts, as well as magnesium, shea butter, tea tree oil, cornstarch, witch hazel, and aloe. These deodorants can be found in pharmacies.

Sinodor® substance helps to fight unpleasant odors. It is patented by Givaudan Active Beauty. The active ingredient in it is citronellyl methylcrotonate. It is part of the creams of Seni Care.

Seni protective cream with components that absorb the smell of urine / Gigienashop.ru

What means will help to cope with odors in the room

Unfortunately, with some oncological diseases in a severe stage, it is most likely impossible to completely get rid of unpleasant odors . In the body of a sick person, irreversible processes of tumor decay occur and it is impossible to cope with them. But there are tools and methods that will help reduce the concentration of unpleasant odors in the room.

Carbon odor absorber / Stockmann.ru

Odor absorber. This agent absorbs t-molecules that form a pungent odor. Available in the form of a gel, powder, spray.

Dispenser is a device that absorbs odor molecules.

Both odor absorbers and dispensers are more effective in small spaces, up to about 15 sq.m. It is better to put them closer to the bed of a sick person. Perhaps the odors will not completely disappear, but still they will not be so strong.

Automatic odor control dispenser / tovarydlyadachi.ru

Ozonator is an air-sucking device that converts oxygen molecules into ozone. In addition to eliminating unpleasant odors, ozonizers fill the room with freshness and fight pathogenic microorganisms in the air.

Ozonator / Yandex.Market

Water based air fresheners . They can be found among eco-products, for example.

Water based air fresheners / eco-serv.ru

Odor neutralizers. Such products destroy microflora and suppress odors by directly attacking their source - pathogenic bacteria.

Odor neutralizers / eco-dostavka24.ru

According to the experience of specialists from the Care Workshop, the most effective of the listed devices is the ozonator. It completely neutralizes bacteria in the air and cleans it as much as possible. In second place are dispensers, as they act specifically on volatile compounds of unpleasant odors in the air.

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