Experiencing Dark Brown Urine?

Most people tend to frequent the bathroom over the course of the average day, but glancing down on a whim and noticing dark brown urine can really throw you for a loop. Obviously, dark brown urine is not normal, and if you spot it coming from your body, you'll probably want to investigate the cause. Before you panic or chalk it up to a symptom of STDs though, remember that there are several harmless causes of dark brown urine.

Worry-Free Causes of Dark Brown Urine

Believe it or not, the consumption of certain foods can result in dark brown urine. Along these lines, some medications are known to produce dark brown urine as a side effect. If you've recently changed your dietary habits or have started taking new medication, it's worth doing a little research to see if either factor could be causing your dark brown urine. It's also wise to inform your doctor if dark brown urine persists.

Dark Brown Urine as a Hepatitis B Symptom

Although dark brown urine doesn't always signify Hepatitis B, it could mean that you've been infected. Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk for contracting Hepatitis B. If dark brown urine appears in conjunction with other Hepatitis B symptoms, Hepatitis B testing should be performed to see if the infection is present.

Common Hepatitis B symptoms include:

• Yellow skin

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Muscle Aches

• Loss of appetite

Why STD Testing is Crucial

When dark brown urine persists, STD testing may be necessary to check for infections like Hepatitis B. Left untreated, Hepatitis B can cause long-term liver damage, so it's important to seek help immediately following a positive test result.

Getting Rid of Dark Brown Urine

Sometimes, all it takes is dietary adjustments or a medication switch to restore the urine to its normal color. When dark brown urine is caused by Hepatitis B, medication can be given to prevent the disease from progressing and eliminate its associated symptoms.