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What Causes Dark Colored Urine Inspite Of Having Flu?
Question: Hello! I have just had flu. On the second day when I was feeling really rough, I noticed my panty liner had a black/grey stain, there was no colour at all, like you had wiped a charcoal stick across it. Last year I looked after my Mum as she was dying from dementia, about day three or four her incontinence pad was exactly the same colour and when I asked the nurse she said that's what happens as the kidneys fail. I was very worried when I saw it on mine, but was too ill to get any help, and by the next day it was normal again
I just wanted to add that when my Mum was dying from dementia she had stopped being able to swallow so she was dying from dehydration effectively
Thank you for your help!
I just wanted to add that when my Mum was dying from dementia she had stopped being able to swallow so she was dying from dehydration effectively
Thank you for your help!
Brief Answer:
Black grey stain, sounds like dehydration
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. You're right to link the stain to dehydration. It's pretty severe when your urine can take on that color. But since your were suffering from the flu.. the dehydration was relative (in other words, the flu made you NEED more water than you were taking in, that's why doctors keep talking about getting rest and taking fluids when you have the flu).
Now, I don't think there will be much to worry about in the future, but i do believe that this is a teachable moment in the importance of maintaining proper hydration. Especially when one is sick. On normal days and when in good health my rule of thumb is that you should drink enough water to make you want to go at least 3 times a day. If the urine stream is colorless, thats a good sign.
When you're sick, I adopt the same rules that the French Foreign Legion did when they were in the desert... if you don't feel like going to the bathroom... at least a mild urge.. you are not drinking enough water...
Of course if you have any heart problems, or problems with drinking too much liquid (cardiac failure etc..) the rules change. But in the absence of those. Drink up!
I hope this helps, Feel free to follow-up about this or anything else,
Vinay
Black grey stain, sounds like dehydration
Detailed Answer:
Hi, Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic. You're right to link the stain to dehydration. It's pretty severe when your urine can take on that color. But since your were suffering from the flu.. the dehydration was relative (in other words, the flu made you NEED more water than you were taking in, that's why doctors keep talking about getting rest and taking fluids when you have the flu).
Now, I don't think there will be much to worry about in the future, but i do believe that this is a teachable moment in the importance of maintaining proper hydration. Especially when one is sick. On normal days and when in good health my rule of thumb is that you should drink enough water to make you want to go at least 3 times a day. If the urine stream is colorless, thats a good sign.
When you're sick, I adopt the same rules that the French Foreign Legion did when they were in the desert... if you don't feel like going to the bathroom... at least a mild urge.. you are not drinking enough water...
Of course if you have any heart problems, or problems with drinking too much liquid (cardiac failure etc..) the rules change. But in the absence of those. Drink up!
I hope this helps, Feel free to follow-up about this or anything else,
Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much XXXXXXX good to know they weren't actually failing, just struggling.
Yes sage advice indeed on hydration. I am usually pretty good as I find my back (which I broke badly 20 years ago) gets terribly fragile and achy if I don't drink enough water on a daily basis, if I am fully hydrated its as strong and healthy as anyone else's - if not more so (so there's a good tip in return!).
For some reason I only felt like drinking latte's when I was feeling ill, heheh.. lesson learned!
Thanks again XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Yes sage advice indeed on hydration. I am usually pretty good as I find my back (which I broke badly 20 years ago) gets terribly fragile and achy if I don't drink enough water on a daily basis, if I am fully hydrated its as strong and healthy as anyone else's - if not more so (so there's a good tip in return!).
For some reason I only felt like drinking latte's when I was feeling ill, heheh.. lesson learned!
Thanks again XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I'm glad you're feeling better.
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad you're feeling better XXXXXXX Take care and feel free to follow-up whenever you want to.
Vin
I'm glad you're feeling better.
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad you're feeling better XXXXXXX Take care and feel free to follow-up whenever you want to.
Vin
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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