The cranberry has been used for hundreds of years for medicinal purposes. In modern naturopathy, cranberry is used primarily as a method for preventing urinary tract infections. According to the National Institutes of Health, cranberry supplements may also treat urinary odors, skin conditions, pleurisy, cancer and chronic fatigue. If you experience urine discoloration while using cranberry supplements, consult your health care provider promptly. Your urine discoloration may be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Uses
Cranberry is used for several medicinal purposes, although none of them have been conclusively proven by clinical scientific evidence. Although it appears to be effective as a preventative, but not treatment, for urinary tract infections, advocates of naturopathy recommend it for several conditions affecting the bladder and urinary tract. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests cranberry supplements as complementary treatments for cancer, stomach ulcers and heart disease, noting positive but limited scientific evidence.
Side Effects
In general, cranberry juice is associated with very few side effects. In fact, the UMMC reports that cranberry products are even safe for pregnant and nursing mothers. However, massive amounts of cranberry are not recommended for those who have, or have had, kidney stones. Oxalates in cranberry may contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Another potential danger is the use of cranberry as an exclusive medically unsupervised treatment for urinary tract infections. Without effective treatment, urinary tract infections can cause serious side effects.
Urine Discoloration and Cranberry
According to the National Institutes of Health, some foods, including beets and rhubarb, can cause discoloration of urine. However, neither the National Institutes of Health nor the University of Maryland Medical Center lists urine discoloration as a side effect associated with cranberry supplements. Nevertheless, it is not out of the realm of possibility that cranberry may alter the color of your urine. If you notice this and suspect it as a side effect, stop taking cranberry. If the discoloration persists for more than a day, seek medical help.
Other Causes of Urine Discoloration
If you are taking cranberry supplements to treat a urinary tract infection, it's possible that the infection, not the treatment, is responsible for your urine discoloration. According to the National Institutes of Health, urine discoloration may be a sign of gross hematuria, or bloody urine. Causes of this symptom include serious medical conditions such as bladder cancer, kidney cancer, severe urinary tract infection or kidney failure. For this reason, you should seek medical testing to determine if blood is the cause of the discoloration.
Considerations
Several symptoms may point to urine discoloration caused by disease, rather than supplementation. If you have severe pain, burning when you urinate, foul-smelling urine, or increased or decreased urination, you need expert evaluation. Note that your symptoms may also be caused by a condition unrelated to the urinary tract. For example, men may mistake trace amounts of bloody ejaculate, a symptom of prostate disease, for bloody urine. Menstruating women may also mistake vaginal blood for discolored urine. Consult your health care provider if you have any questions regarding your health.
Member Comments