Piss chart dehydration

Welcome to our blog, where today we are discussing, of all topics, urine! Understanding the colour of your urine is actually essential in determining whether or not you are hydrated. The colour can actually give you a pretty solid indication on how healthy you are. OK, so there are different ways of identifying hydration levels, but urine testing remains the most effective.

Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber — the result of a pigment called urochrome and how diluted or concentrated the urine is. Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications can change your urine color. Beets, berries and fava beans are among the foods most likely to affect the color. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications give urine vivid tones, such as red, yellow or greenish blue. An unusual urine color can be a sign of disease. For instance, deep red to brown urine is an identifying characteristic of porphyria, a rare, inherited disorder of red blood cells. Normal urine color varies, depending on how much water you drink.

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially when exercising and especially in the heat. This is the time of year when team doctors around the state are on high alert. Bartels and Torrance Walker, MD, are encouraged by the heightened importance placed on good hydration. Both remember a time when water breaks were deemed only for the weak.

The colour of your pee can give you a good indication as to how hydrated or not you are. Before you begin to exercise; whether that's lining up on the start line, going for an easy jog or about to start a match, you should aim to check your pee colour. Click on a colour in the chart below that best matches your pee. We'll then give you a guide as to where you sit within the hydration scale. Put simply, light means you're hydrated and ready to go, dark means you're dehydrated and may need to take some action.