Various health conditions may contribute to strong-smelling urine. Urine odor refers to the scent of your urine as you void it from your bladder. The smell of urine ranges from sweet to foul, depending on the underlying health problems or conditions that you may have. The smell of your urine is associated with the volume and concentration of numerous chemicals excreted by your kidneys, notes MayoClinic.com.
Kidney Infection
A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, may cause strong-smelling urine. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, a kidney infection occurs when bacteria migrate up from your bladder to infect your kidneys. Numerous factors contribute to kidney infections, including long-term urinary catheter use, use of a cystoscope to examine the bladder and urethra, urinary tract surgery, an enlarged prostate in men, kidney stones and anatomical defects or abnormalities that impair urine flow. Common signs and symptoms associated with a kidney infection include strong-smelling urine; fever; nausea and vomiting; back, flank or groin pain; abdominal pain; frequent urination; an unrelenting urge to urinate; blood or pus in the urine; and burning when urinating. The NIDDK states that severe or recurrent kidney infections may cause permanent kidney damage.
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
Maple syrup urine disease can cause strong-smelling urine. The Genetics Home Reference website states that maple syrup urine disease, or MSUD, is a metabolism disorder passed down through families and is characterized by the inability to break down certain parts of proteins. If you have MSUD, your urine may smell like maple syrup. This condition is caused by a gene defect that impairs your ability to process branched-chain amino acids, including leucine, isoleucine and valine. This leads to an accumulation of these chemicals in your blood. Symptoms related to MSUD range from mild to severe. Possible signs and symptoms associated with MSUD include strong-smelling urine, food avoidance, feeding difficulties, lethargy, seizures, vomiting and developmental delays. In its most severe form, MSUD can cause coma or brain damage during times of physical stress, such as infection, fever and starvation.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes that can cause strong-smelling urine. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when your body cannot use sugar, or glucose, as a fuel source because of insufficient insulin. Fat is used as an alternative fuel source, and the metabolic byproducts of fat breakdown -- known as ketones -- begin to accumulate in your body. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists the common signs and symptoms associated with diabetic ketoacidosis as strong, fruity-smelling urine; excessive thirst; frequent urination; nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain; loss of appetite; weakness and fatigue; shortness of breath; and confusion. Diabetic ketoacidosis may lead to a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, as its symptoms often prompt you to visit a doctor.
