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<human>: What happens during a nerve conduction study (NCS) procedure? <bot>: Nerve conduction study: The technician puts electrode patches on your skin over the nerve that may be causing your symptoms. A stimulating electrode sends a mild electrical impulse to the nerve. The other electrodes record the nerve's response. If the signal travels at a slower rate than it should in a healthy nerve, it means the nerve is probably damaged. More tests may be needed to learn whether the nerve can become healthy again.,context:When your muscles are sore or weak and you don't know why, there are a couple of tests that can help give you answers. One is electromyography ( EMG). The other is a nerve conduction study ( NCS). They are often done at the same time. Your doctor can use the results of these tests to figure out whether you have a muscular problem or a nerve problem. Your muscles move when nerve signals from the brain tell them to get to work. Electromyography measures how well your muscles respond to those signals. If the test picks up a problem, you may be diagnosed with what is called a neuromuscular disorder. Nerve signals are electrical impulses that travel quickly throughout your nervous system. Sometimes, problems with the electrical activity in your nerves can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in your muscles. NCS measures how fast and how strong the electrical activity is in a nerve. The test can tell whether a nerve has been damaged. It's natural to have soreness or numbness in a muscle once in a while. You might strain a wrist muscle lifting something heavy, for example. For many people, though, a sore wrist is caused by an injured nerve, not an injured muscle. When it's not clear why you're having problems with your wrist, back, legs, or other body part, one or both of these tests may be helpful. The tests may be given to people who have the following symptoms that don't go away: Pain or cramping Tingling or numbness Muscle weakness Both tests can help doctors diagnose what's wrong with you. They can also help rule out conditions that you don't have. EMG and NCS are helpful in diagnosing: Neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy Nerve problems in the spine, such as a herniated disk Nerve problems elsewhere in the body, such as carpal tunnel syndrome Peripheral nerve problems in your arms or legs Pinched nerves Guillain- Barré syndrome, a disease in which your immune system attacks the nerves in your legs and arms NCS can also help your doctor see how well you're recovering from a nerve injury. You don't need to do anything special before either test. Doctors do recommend that on the morning of a test, you: Bathe or shower, but don't put on any lotions or moisturizers Avoid caffeine and sugary beverages for at least 2 or 3 hours before a test Don't smoke before a test You should also talk with your doctor about taking medications before a test. There may be certain medicines you should avoid taking until after the test. If you have a pacemaker, you should tell your doctor before she schedules NCS or EMG. EMG and NCS are done in a hospital or office setting. They can be “outpatient procedures,” meaning you don't stay overnight and you expect to go home the same day, or they can be done during a hospital stay. Several types of doctors may oversee the procedures. That includes neurologists, who are doctors who specialize in the brain and nervous system. A hospital technician may be the person who actually does the NCS or EMG. Nerve conduction study: The technician puts electrode patches on your skin over the nerve that may be causing your symptoms. A stimulating electrode sends a mild electrical impulse to the nerve. The other electrodes record the nerve's response. If the signal travels at a slower rate than it should in a healthy nerve, it means the nerve is probably damaged. More tests may be needed to learn whether the nerve can become healthy again. Sometimes, nerves injured in an accident or surgery just need time to improve. In other cases, surgery may be able to repair an injured nerve. NCS is usually done before EMG if both procedures are done in the same session. Electromyography: This is more involved than NCS. It may also be a little more uncomfortable. EMG uses an electrode on the skin, too. However, the test uses a very thin needle that penetrates the skin and goes into your muscles. You will be asked to relax and to contract (or flex) your muscles. You'll be given instructions on how and when to contract the muscle being studied. If EMG shows that your muscles responded well to nerve signals, your doctor may look for other causes of your muscle soreness or weakness. Some common causes are: A lack of muscle fitness An infection (such as the flu) Circulation problems A disease such as diabetes or anemia Neither NCS nor EMG should lead to any complications. You may have some soreness for a day or two where the needles were inserted during EMG. If you notice any swelling or signs of infection around the needle marks, tell your doctor. The neurologist who oversaw either or both procedures will review the results and write a summary for your doctor. If the studies suggest that you have a neuromuscular disorder or a damaged nerve, you will probably be referred to a specialist. He may order further tests to learn more about your condition. Then a treatment plan will be drawn up. It may include medications, surgical procedures, or lifestyle changes. Neither NCS or EMG will solve your muscle or nerve problems, but they will give doctors key information about how to help you start feeling better soon.,When your muscles are sore or weak and you don't know why, there are a couple of tests that can help give you answers.One is electromyography ( EMG).The other is a nerve conduction study ( NCS).They are often done at the same time.Your doctor can use the results of these tests to figure out whether you have a muscular problem or a nerve problem.Your muscles move when nerve signals from the brain tell them to get to work.Electromyography measures how well your muscles respond to those signals.If the test picks up a problem, you may be diagnosed with what is called a neuromuscular disorder.Nerve signals are electrical impulses that travel quickly throughout your nervous system.Sometimes, problems with the electrical activity in your nerves can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in your muscles.NCS measures how fast and how strong the electrical activity is in a nerve.The test can tell whether a nerve has been damaged.It's natural to have soreness or numbness in a muscle once in a while.You might strain a wrist muscle lifting something heavy, for example.For many people, though, a sore wrist is caused by an injured nerve, not an injured muscle.When it's not clear why you're having problems with your wrist, back, legs, or other body part, one or both of these tests may be helpful.The tests may be given to people who have the following symptoms that don't go away: Pain or cramping Tingling or numbness Muscle weakness Both tests can help doctors diagnose what's wrong with you.They can also help rule out conditions that you don't have.EMG and NCS are helpful in diagnosing: Neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy Nerve problems in the spine, such as a herniated disk Nerve problems elsewhere in the body, such as carpal tunnel syndrome Peripheral nerve problems in your arms or legs Pinched nerves Guillain- Barré syndrome, a disease in which your immune system attacks the nerves in your legs and arms NCS can also help your doctor see how well you're recovering from a nerve injury.You don't need to do anything special before either test.Doctors do recommend that on the morning of a test, you: Bathe or shower, but don't put on any lotions or moisturizers Avoid caffeine and sugary beverages for at least 2 or 3 hours before a test Don't smoke before a test You should also talk with your doctor about taking medications before a test.There may be certain medicines you should avoid taking until after the test.If you have a pacemaker, you should tell your doctor before she schedules NCS or EMG.EMG and NCS are done in a hospital or office setting.They can be “outpatient procedures,” meaning you don't stay overnight and you expect to go home the same day, or they can be done during a hospital stay.Several types of doctors may oversee the procedures.That includes neurologists, who are doctors who specialize in the brain and nervous system.A hospital technician may be the person who actually does the NCS or EMG.Nerve conduction study: The technician puts electrode patches on your skin over the nerve that may be causing your symptoms.A stimulating electrode sends a mild electrical impulse to the nerve.The other electrodes record the nerve's response.If the signal travels at a slower rate than it should in a healthy nerve, it means the nerve is probably damaged.More tests may be needed to learn whether the nerve can become healthy again.Sometimes, nerves injured in an accident or surgery just need time to improve.In other cases, surgery may be able to repair an injured nerve.NCS is usually done before EMG if both procedures are done in the same session.Electromyography: This is more involved than NCS.It may also be a little more uncomfortable.EMG uses an electrode on the skin, too.However, the test uses a very thin needle that penetrates the skin and goes into your muscles.You will be asked to relax and to contract (or flex) your muscles.You'll be given instructions on how and when to contract the muscle being studied.If EMG shows that your muscles responded well to nerve signals, your doctor may look for other causes of your muscle soreness or weakness.Some common causes are: A lack of muscle fitness An infection (such as the flu) Circulation problems A disease such as diabetes or anemia Neither NCS nor EMG should lead to any complications.You may have some soreness for a day or two where the needles were inserted during EMG.If you notice any swelling or signs of infection around the needle marks, tell your doctor.The neurologist who oversaw either or both procedures will review the results and write a summary for your doctor.If the studies suggest that you have a neuromuscular disorder or a damaged nerve, you will probably be referred to a specialist.He may order further tests to learn more about your condition.Then a treatment plan will be drawn up.It may include medications, surgical procedures, or lifestyle changes.Neither NCS or EMG will solve your muscle or nerve problems, but they will give doctors key information about how to help you start feeling better soon.

<human>: Why am I peeing all the time? <bot>: If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: What should I do if my pee looks or smells weird? <bot>: Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: What does pale yellow or gold pee mean? <bot>: If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: Why is my pee green or blue? <bot>: Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: Why is my pee pinkish-red? <bot>: Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: Why is my pee foamy or frothy? <bot>: Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: Why is my pee orange? <bot>: Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: What is urine? <bot>: !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: How often should you pee? <bot>: This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: What does it mean if my pee smells strong? <bot>: Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.,context:Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight. But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood. A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. The shade, light or dark, also changes. If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid. Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away. It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so. Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color. This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine. Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red. You might have blood in your urine. It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor. Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid. Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct. You should ask your doctor about it. Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine. A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time. Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy. It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys. Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell. But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor. So can vitamin B-6 supplements. When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases. Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day. That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol. It could be a side effect of medications, too. Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others. If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis. If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder. It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging. Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications. Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge. Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.,Let's face it: Most of us don't give much thought to our pee before we flush it out of sight.But the basic details of your urine -- color, smell, and how often you go -- can give you a hint about what's going on inside your body. Pee is your body's liquid waste, mainly made of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.Your kidneys make it when they filter toxins and other bad stuff from your blood.A bunch of things in your body, like medications, foods, and illnesses, can affect how yours turns out.If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold.That hue comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome.The shade, light or dark, also changes.If it has no color at all, that may be because you've been drinking a lot of water or taking a drug called a diuretic, which helps your body get rid of fluid.Very dark honey- or brown-colored urine could be a sign that you're dehydrated and need to get more fluids right away.It may also be a warning sign of liver problems, so see your doctor if it doesn't get better after a day or so.Other unusual colors that may show up: Pink or red: Some foods like carrots, blackberries, beets, and rhubarb can turn your pee a pinkish-red color.This can also be a side effect of medications like the antibiotic rifampin or a drug for urinary tract infections ( UTIs) called phenazopyridine.Always check with your doctor if your pee is pink or red.You might have blood in your urine.It doesn't always mean there's a problem, but it can be a sign of kidney disease, a UTI, prostate problems, or a tumor.Orange: When your pee is the color of a citrus-flavored soft drink, it's probably because of meds like high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.Depending on the color, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated or that there's a problem with your liver or bile duct.You should ask your doctor about it.Blue or green: These hues are probably due to dyes in your food or meds you've taken, like the anesthetic propofol or the allergy/asthma medicine promethazine.A few rare medical conditions can also turn pee green or blue, so let your doctor know if the color doesn't go away after a short time.Foamy: No matter what color it is, you should check in with your doctor if it consistently looks foamy and frothy.It may be a sign you have protein in your urine, which may mean you have issues with your kidneys.Pee doesn't usually have a strong smell.But some foods -- especially asparagus, which has a smelly sulfur compound -- can change the odor.So can vitamin B-6 supplements.When you're dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia.If you catch a whiff of something really strong before you flush, it might also be a sign of a UTI, diabetes, a bladder infection, or metabolic diseases.Everyone is different, but most people need to empty their bladders up to eight times a day.That can change depending on how much you eat and drink, especially caffeine and alcohol.It could be a side effect of medications, too.Pregnant women and older people usually have to go more often than others.If you notice you suddenly have to pee more often than usual, though, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or a problem with the wall of your bladder called interstitial cystitis.If you often feel that you suddenly “gotta go” and sometimes can't get to the bathroom in time, you may have overactive bladder.It's a common condition for older men and women, though it's not a normal part of aging.Your doctor can tell you how to treat it with lifestyle changes and medications.Pick up the phone any time you see a change in your pee that doesn't seem linked to new medications or a recent meal -- especially if the change lasts more than a day or so, or if it comes with a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, feeling very thirsty, or discharge.Your doctor can test your urine to see what's going on.

<human>: How do you get hepatitis C? <bot>: Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.,context:There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments. Hepatitis A. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it. You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it. You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child. If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth. Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe. It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it. There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa),There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver.Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments.Hepatitis A.This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications.Your liver heals in about 2 months.You can prevent it with a vaccine.Hepatitis B.Most people recover from this type in 6 months.Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage.Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick.You won't catch it if you get a vaccine.Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms.About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection.It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.There's no vaccine to prevent it.You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it.You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child.If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth.Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood.You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common.If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints.See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects.Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa)

<human>: Can hepatitis B be treated? <bot>: There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.,context:There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments. Hepatitis A. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it. You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it. You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child. If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth. Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe. It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it. There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa),There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver.Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments.Hepatitis A.This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications.Your liver heals in about 2 months.You can prevent it with a vaccine.Hepatitis B.Most people recover from this type in 6 months.Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage.Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick.You won't catch it if you get a vaccine.Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms.About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection.It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.There's no vaccine to prevent it.You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it.You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child.If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth.Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood.You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common.If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints.See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects.Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa)

<human>: Can hepatitis A be treated? <bot>: If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.,context:There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments. Hepatitis A. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it. You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it. You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child. If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth. Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe. It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it. There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa),There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver.Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments.Hepatitis A.This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications.Your liver heals in about 2 months.You can prevent it with a vaccine.Hepatitis B.Most people recover from this type in 6 months.Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage.Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick.You won't catch it if you get a vaccine.Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms.About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection.It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.There's no vaccine to prevent it.You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it.You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child.If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth.Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood.You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common.If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints.See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects.Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa)

<human>: What are the symptoms of hepatitis? <bot>: It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.,context:There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments. Hepatitis A. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it. You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it. You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child. If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth. Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe. It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it. There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa),There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver.Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments.Hepatitis A.This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications.Your liver heals in about 2 months.You can prevent it with a vaccine.Hepatitis B.Most people recover from this type in 6 months.Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage.Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick.You won't catch it if you get a vaccine.Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms.About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection.It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.There's no vaccine to prevent it.You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it.You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child.If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth.Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood.You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common.If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints.See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects.Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa)

<human>: What are the three major types of hepatitis? <bot>: There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it.,context:There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver. Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments. Hepatitis A. This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications. Your liver heals in about 2 months. You can prevent it with a vaccine. Hepatitis B. Most people recover from this type in 6 months. Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage. Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick. You won't catch it if you get a vaccine. Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms. About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. There's no vaccine to prevent it. You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it. You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child. If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth. Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood. You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common. If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe. It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it. There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects. Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa),There are three major types of hepatitis, and all of them affect your liver.Some of the symptoms are similar, but they have different treatments.Hepatitis A.This type won't lead to long-term infection and usually doesn't cause any complications.Your liver heals in about 2 months.You can prevent it with a vaccine.Hepatitis B.Most people recover from this type in 6 months.Sometimes, though, it causes a long-term infection that could lead to liver damage.Once you've got the disease, you can spread the virus even if you don't feel sick.You won't catch it if you get a vaccine.Hepatitis C. Many people with this type don't have any symptoms.About 80% of those with the disease get a long-term infection.It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver.There's no vaccine to prevent it.You get it from eating or drinking something that's got the virus in it.You can get it if you: Have sex with someone who's infected Share dirty needles when using illegal drugs Have direct contact with infected blood or the body fluids of someone who's got the disease If you're pregnant and you've got hepatitis B, you could give the disease to your unborn child.If you deliver a baby who's got it, he needs to get treatment in the first 12 hours after birth.Just like hepatitis B, you can get this type by sharing needles and having contact with infected blood.You can also catch it by having sex with somebody who's infected, but that's less common.If you had a blood transfusion before new screening protocols were put in place in 1992, you are at risk for hepatitis C. If not, the blood used in transfusions today is safe.It gets checked beforehand to make sure it's free of the virus that causes hepatitis B or C. The most common symptoms for all three types are: Dark urine Stomach pain Yellowing of skin or eyes Pale or clay-colored stool Low-grade fever Loss of appetite Fatigue Feeling sick to the stomach Lack of nutrition If you have hepatitis B, you may also have achy joints.See your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.If you have hepatitis A, your doctor will carefully see how well your liver is working, but there aren't any treatments to cure it.There are several drugs that treat long-term hepatitis B, such as: Adefovir ( Hepsera) Entecavir ( Baraclude) Interferon Lamivudine () Telbivudine ( Tyzeka) Tenofovir ( Viread) For hepatitis C, some people improve if they get a combo of the drugs peginterferon alpha and ribavirin.But there are side effects to this treatment, including severe anemia (low red blood cells) and birth defects.Your doctor may also suggest other drugs for hepatitis C, which cure more people and may be better tolerated, including: Daclatasvir ( Daklinza) Elbasvir /grazoprevir ( Zepatier) Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvir- () Sofosbuvir ( Sovaldi) Sofosbuvir /velpatasvir ( Epclusa)

<human>: When should I call the doctor about multiple sclerosis (MS) or stroke? <bot>: Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS. It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart. Even then, it may not be clear. Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry. If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait. Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems. If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too. It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids. If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher. Your doctor can help you get those under control.,context:At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common. When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain. With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike. That's because they both harm your brain. The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right. It's important to know the difference. While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death. The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause. Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy. A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do. If you have any doubts, call 911 right away. None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on. A stroke is sudden. One moment, you're fine. The next, you're definitely not. An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days. So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on. But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear. Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go. You know your body best. Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up. You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke. That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones. And that may throw off your judgment. So always keep your doctor in the loop. Watch for unusual symptoms. Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS. So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign. MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems. Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up. It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age. Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out. Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS. It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart. Even then, it may not be clear. Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry. If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait. Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems. If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too. It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids. Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment. One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke. If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher. Your doctor can help you get those under control.,At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common.When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain.With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord.Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike.That's because they both harm your brain.The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right.It's important to know the difference.While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death.The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause.Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy.A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do.If you have any doubts, call 911 right away.None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on.A stroke is sudden.One moment, you're fine.The next, you're definitely not.An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days.So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on.But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear.Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go.You know your body best.Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up.You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke.That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones.And that may throw off your judgment.So always keep your doctor in the loop.Watch for unusual symptoms.Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS.So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign.MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems.Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up.It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age.Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out.Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS.It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart.Even then, it may not be clear.Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry.If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait.Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems.If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too.It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids.Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment.One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke.If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher.Your doctor can help you get those under control.

<human>: What is the difference between multiple sclerosis (MS) and strokes? <bot>: Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike. That's because they both harm your brain. The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right. It's important to know the difference. While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death. The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause. Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy. You know your body best.,context:At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common. When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain. With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike. That's because they both harm your brain. The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right. It's important to know the difference. While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death. The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause. Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy. A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do. If you have any doubts, call 911 right away. None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on. A stroke is sudden. One moment, you're fine. The next, you're definitely not. An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days. So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on. But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear. Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go. You know your body best. Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up. You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke. That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones. And that may throw off your judgment. So always keep your doctor in the loop. Watch for unusual symptoms. Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS. So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign. MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems. Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up. It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age. Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out. Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS. It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart. Even then, it may not be clear. Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry. If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait. Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems. If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too. It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids. Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment. One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke. If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher. Your doctor can help you get those under control.,At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common.When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain.With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord.Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike.That's because they both harm your brain.The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right.It's important to know the difference.While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death.The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause.Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy.A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do.If you have any doubts, call 911 right away.None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on.A stroke is sudden.One moment, you're fine.The next, you're definitely not.An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days.So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on.But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear.Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go.You know your body best.Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up.You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke.That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones.And that may throw off your judgment.So always keep your doctor in the loop.Watch for unusual symptoms.Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS.So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign.MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems.Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up.It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age.Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out.Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS.It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart.Even then, it may not be clear.Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry.If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait.Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems.If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too.It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids.Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment.One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke.If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher.Your doctor can help you get those under control.

<human>: Can a test show the difference between multiple sclerosis (MS) and strokes? <bot>: If you have any doubts, call 911 right away. You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke. Even then, it may not be clear.,context:At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common. When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain. With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike. That's because they both harm your brain. The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right. It's important to know the difference. While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death. The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause. Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy. A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do. If you have any doubts, call 911 right away. None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on. A stroke is sudden. One moment, you're fine. The next, you're definitely not. An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days. So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on. But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear. Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go. You know your body best. Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up. You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke. That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones. And that may throw off your judgment. So always keep your doctor in the loop. Watch for unusual symptoms. Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS. So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign. MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems. Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up. It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age. Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out. Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS. It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart. Even then, it may not be clear. Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry. If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait. Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems. If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too. It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids. Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment. One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke. If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher. Your doctor can help you get those under control.,At first glance, it might not seem like multiple sclerosis ( MS) and strokes have a lot in common.When you have a stroke, a blocked or burst blood vessel cuts off the blood supply to part of your brain.With MS, you have a lifelong disease where your immune system, your body's defense against germs, attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord.Two very different conditions, but they can look and feel alike.That's because they both harm your brain.The symptoms of MS and strokes can be close enough that even doctors don't always get it right.It's important to know the difference.While you can wait to talk to your doctor about an MS flare-up, waiting to get treatment for a stroke can be a matter of life and death.The common ground for MS and strokes is the symptoms they cause.Depending on which part of the brain they affect, both can make you: Feel confused or have changes in the way you think and focus Get dizzy and lightheaded Get a headache Feel numb or weak in your arms, face, or legs Have speech problems, like slurring Find it hard to walk Have problems seeing It may not be easy.A test called an MRI may be able to show the difference pretty clearly, but that doesn't help when you're at home with a numb arm or blurred vision and wondering what to do.If you have any doubts, call 911 right away.None of these are foolproof, but here are some clues you can look for: Pay attention to how fast your symptoms came on.A stroke is sudden.One moment, you're fine.The next, you're definitely not.An MS flare-up tends to show up more slowly, usually over hours or days.So the speed at which the symptoms strike can give you some idea of what's going on.But if you're asleep when a flare-up starts or you miss the first signs, it may not be so clear.Keep track of how your MS flare-ups usually go.You know your body best.Over time, you'll likely learn the ups and downs of your MS symptoms and figure out when you're having a flare-up.You may be able to use that experience as a way to tell the difference between a flare-up and the symptoms of a stroke.That said, when you have a flare, your symptoms get much worse or you may get new ones.And that may throw off your judgment.So always keep your doctor in the loop.Watch for unusual symptoms.Loss of ability to speak and understand aren't very common symptoms of MS.So if you don't normally have this problem with a flare-up, they could be a stroke warning sign.MS can cause other issues that stroke normally wouldn't, like muscle spasms, pain, and bowel and bladder problems.Having these symptoms could mean it's more likely a flare-up.It's also unusual to develop MS after age 50, while strokes are more common after that age.Keep in mind that these are just clues, and you may need a doctor's help to sort it out.Always get medical help if you have any doubts about whether it's a stroke or MS.It takes experience to learn how to tell the conditions apart.Even then, it may not be clear.Given how serious a stroke can be, you're better safe than sorry.If it is a stroke, you don't have time to wait.Quick treatment can save your life and help prevent long-term problems.If it turns out to just be an MS relapse, that's important for your doctor to know, too.It could be a sign to make some changes in how you manage your MS. MS flares may need to be treated in the hospital with IV steroids.Pseudoflares caused by infection may also need treatment.One of the best things you can do is talk to your doctor about your chances of having a stroke.If you have problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, your risk is higher.Your doctor can help you get those under control.

<human>: When should I see my doctor about ear pain? <bot>: Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,context:Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain. Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while. You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax. Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing. Stay awake while the plane descends. Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose. Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms. Learn more about air pressure and your ears. If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer's ear. A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns. If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments. You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms. Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain. Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too.You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time.When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked.Your doctor will call this impacted wax.Sometimes, it causes pain.Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out.You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected.You could even lose your hearing for a while.You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit.Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened.She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum.Learn more about earwax.Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process.But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance.Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing.To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.Stay awake while the plane descends.Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.Learn more about air pressure and your ears.If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection.You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs.You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus.It isn't contagious.To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming.You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up.Learn more about swimmer's ear.A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear.When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media.This is the most common cause of ear pain.If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid.Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns.If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss.Learn more about ear infection treatments.You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache.That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear.Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis.In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.Learn more about sore throat symptoms.Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain.Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.Learn more about toothaches.The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears.You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis.The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn.To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw.Try not to clench your teeth.You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep.This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain.Eating soft foods will help, too.Learn more about causes of jaw pain.Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles.If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

<human>: What does it mean if I have an earache with a sore throat? <bot>: Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.,context:Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain. Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while. You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax. Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing. Stay awake while the plane descends. Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose. Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms. Learn more about air pressure and your ears. If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer's ear. A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns. If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments. You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms. Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain. Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too.You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time.When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked.Your doctor will call this impacted wax.Sometimes, it causes pain.Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out.You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected.You could even lose your hearing for a while.You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit.Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened.She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum.Learn more about earwax.Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process.But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance.Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing.To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.Stay awake while the plane descends.Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.Learn more about air pressure and your ears.If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection.You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs.You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus.It isn't contagious.To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming.You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up.Learn more about swimmer's ear.A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear.When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media.This is the most common cause of ear pain.If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid.Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns.If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss.Learn more about ear infection treatments.You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache.That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear.Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis.In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.Learn more about sore throat symptoms.Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain.Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.Learn more about toothaches.The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears.You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis.The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn.To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw.Try not to clench your teeth.You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep.This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain.Eating soft foods will help, too.Learn more about causes of jaw pain.Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles.If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

<human>: Can the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, cause ear pain? <bot>: The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too.,context:Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain. Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while. You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax. Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing. Stay awake while the plane descends. Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose. Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms. Learn more about air pressure and your ears. If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer's ear. A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns. If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments. You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms. Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain. Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too.You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time.When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked.Your doctor will call this impacted wax.Sometimes, it causes pain.Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out.You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected.You could even lose your hearing for a while.You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit.Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened.She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum.Learn more about earwax.Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process.But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance.Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing.To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.Stay awake while the plane descends.Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.Learn more about air pressure and your ears.If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection.You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs.You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus.It isn't contagious.To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming.You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up.Learn more about swimmer's ear.A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear.When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media.This is the most common cause of ear pain.If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid.Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns.If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss.Learn more about ear infection treatments.You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache.That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear.Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis.In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.Learn more about sore throat symptoms.Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain.Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.Learn more about toothaches.The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears.You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis.The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn.To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw.Try not to clench your teeth.You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep.This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain.Eating soft foods will help, too.Learn more about causes of jaw pain.Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles.If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

<human>: Can earwax cause pain? <bot>: These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain.,context:Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain. Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while. You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax. Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing. Stay awake while the plane descends. Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose. Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms. Learn more about air pressure and your ears. If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer's ear. A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns. If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments. You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms. Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain. Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too.You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time.When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked.Your doctor will call this impacted wax.Sometimes, it causes pain.Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out.You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected.You could even lose your hearing for a while.You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit.Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened.She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum.Learn more about earwax.Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process.But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance.Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing.To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.Stay awake while the plane descends.Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.Learn more about air pressure and your ears.If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection.You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs.You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus.It isn't contagious.To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming.You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up.Learn more about swimmer's ear.A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear.When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media.This is the most common cause of ear pain.If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid.Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns.If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss.Learn more about ear infection treatments.You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache.That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear.Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis.In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.Learn more about sore throat symptoms.Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain.Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.Learn more about toothaches.The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears.You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis.The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn.To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw.Try not to clench your teeth.You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep.This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain.Eating soft foods will help, too.Learn more about causes of jaw pain.Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles.If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.

<human>: What are some serious causes of ear pain? <bot>: Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,context:Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too. You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain. These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time. When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked. Your doctor will call this impacted wax. Sometimes, it causes pain. Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out. You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted. Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected. You could even lose your hearing for a while. You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit. Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened. She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum. Learn more about earwax. Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum. That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process. But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance. Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing. To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing. Stay awake while the plane descends. Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose. Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms. Learn more about air pressure and your ears. If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection. You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs. You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus. It isn't contagious. To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming. You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up. Learn more about swimmer's ear. A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear. When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media. This is the most common cause of ear pain. If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics. If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid. Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns. If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss. Learn more about ear infection treatments. You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache. That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear. Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis. In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions. Learn more about sore throat symptoms. Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain. Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore. Learn more about toothaches. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears. You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis. The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn. To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw. Try not to clench your teeth. You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep. This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain. Eating soft foods will help, too. Learn more about causes of jaw pain. Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles. If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.,Parents know how common earaches are in children, but adults can get frequent ear pain, too.You don't have to have an infection, or even anything wrong with your ears, to have ear pain.These are the most common causes: Your ear makes and gets rid of wax all the time.When the process doesn't work well, the gunk builds up and hardens so your ear canal gets blocked.Your doctor will call this impacted wax.Sometimes, it causes pain.Don't use cotton swabs or other objects to try to get wax out.You'll just push it farther into your ear canal and make it more likely to get impacted.Your ear might hurt, itch, discharge gunk, or get infected.You could even lose your hearing for a while.You can treat mildly impacted ears at home with an over-the-counter kit.Or go see your doctor if the wax has hardened.She can get the wax out without damaging the eardrum.Learn more about earwax.Most of the time, your ear does a great job of keeping pressure equal on both sides of your eardrum.That little pop you feel when you swallow is part of the process.But quick changes, like when you're on an airplane or in an elevator, can throw off the balance.Your ear miight hurt, and you could have trouble hearing.To avoid problems on a plane: Chew gum, suck on hard candy, or yawn and swallow during takeoff and landing.Stay awake while the plane descends.Take a deep breath, pinch your nostrils shut, then gently try to blow air out of your nose.Avoid air travel and diving when you have a cold, a sinus infection, or allergy symptoms.Learn more about air pressure and your ears.If your ear hurts when you pull on your earlobe or push on the tiny flap that closes it, you probably have this outer ear infection.You get it when water trapped in your ear canal begins to breed germs.You ear might get red, swollen, or itch and leak pus.It isn't contagious.To avoid it, keep your ears dry during and after swimming.You doctor will probably prescribe antibiotic ear drops to clear it up.Learn more about swimmer's ear.A cold, allergies, or a sinus infection can block the tubes in your middle ear.When fluid builds up and gets infected, your doctor will call it otitis media.This is the most common cause of ear pain.If your doctor thinks the cause is a bacteria, she may prescribe antibiotics.If not, then she may recommend a decongestant allergy treatment with an antihistamine and a nasal steroid.Let her know if your pain doesn't improve or returns.If it isn't treated, a middle ear infection can spread or cause hearing loss.Learn more about ear infection treatments.You may feel pain in your ears even when the source is somewhere else in your body, like a toothache.That's because the nerves in your face and neck pass very close to your inner ear.Doctors call this type of pain that starts in one area but is felt in another “referred pain.” If your earache comes with a severe sore throat, it could be an infection like tonsillitis or pharyngitis.In fact, ear pain is often the worst symptom of one of these conditions.Learn more about sore throat symptoms.Tooth abscesses, cavities, and impacted molars also can cause ear pain.Your doctor will be able to tell if your teeth are to blame by tapping on a tooth or your gums to see if they feel sore.Learn more about toothaches.The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the “hinge” of your jaw that sits directly below your ears.You might get TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, or it could be a symptom of arthritis.The ache in your ears or face comes after you chew, talk, or yawn.To treat it, take over-the-counter pain medicine and put warm compresses on your jaw.Try not to clench your teeth.You may benefit from using a mouth guard when you sleep.This can help ease the tension that causes ear pain.Eating soft foods will help, too.Learn more about causes of jaw pain.Some causes of ear pain can be serious such as tumors or infections, including cellulitis or shingles.If your ear pain is severe, doesn't go away within a few days of home treatment, or comes with a high fever or sore throat, or you get a new rash, visit your doctor right away for treatment and to rule out something more serious.