What causes salty smelling urine?

Answer 1

There are various causes of sweet smell in the urine. Most are transient and due to metabolizing various foods. Sometimes strong odor is due to highly concentrated urine when one hasn't consumed enough water, easily fixed. Another cause is sweet smell due to uncontrolled Diabetes melitus, which can be determined through urinalysis evaluated by a physician.

There is a rare metabolic disease called Mapple Syrup Urine Disease , as the smell is like slightly burnt sugar - or for people who have actually smelt mapple syrup, that is apparently what the urine smell is similar to. The incidence of this illness is around one in 200.000 births, with the exception of a small intermarrying community of Northern European descent in the USA where the incidence is much higher. This neurological condition effects infants and children and would not present in adults.

MSUD, as it is known, is a condition where the body can't deal with substances called branched aminoacids. One of these, called leucine is toxic, in particular to the brain. There are various types of the disease, symptoms range from brain disfunction and death in the newborn period to very mild indeed. Many children will have mental retardation, even if their MSUD is discovered early and the metabolic doctors that care for them put them on the special protective diet at a very young age.

Some very fortunate children are known to have normal intelligence, this requires very good metabolic control throughout their lifetime.

Other causes of sweet smell in the urine are very rare indeed. One should have a talk with a Doctor Who specialises in metabolic medicine if one is concerned that urine smells very different to the usual. The tests to find out what is wrong and the methods to fix the problem are very complex.

Answer 2

Urine odor (and color) are caused by at least three factors. First, odor and color are based on concentration. Maintaining high hydration and water intake are the key to dilute urine. Second, is dietary, in that certain foods like asparagus can product these odors. Third, is the uniqueness of individuals body functions and chemistry.

Answer 3

Bad for you because it makes your urine stink and yellow