Dark yellow urine typically indicates dehydration or concentrated urine resulting from insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss. When the body lacks adequate hydration, kidneys conserve water, causing urine to become more intensely yellow. Contributing factors include hot weather, physical activity, and certain medications.
Urine color ranges from pale straw to dark amber, with lighter colors indicating better hydration. While normal yellow urine doesn't suggest liver damage, liver issues typically cause brown or orange coloration due to bilirubin accumulation.
Persistently dark urine despite hydration may result from vitamins, medications, infections, or underlying health issues. Treatment focuses on increasing water intake, limiting caffeine and alcohol, reducing salt consumption, eating hydrating foods, and addressing any underlying conditions. During pregnancy, hormonal changes and increased blood volume can affect urine color, making proper hydration especially important.
If dark urine persists despite adequate hydration, medical consultation is recommended to rule out potential kidney or liver conditions.
