Why urinalysis

See, Play and Learn Videos and Tutorials. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. A urinalysis involves checking the urine for Its color Its appearance whether it is clear or cloudy Any odor The pH level acidity Whether there are substances that are not normally in urine, such as blood, too much protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin Whether there are cells, crystals, and casts tube-shaped proteins Whether it contains bacteria or other germs.

Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Blood and urine tests show how well the kidneys are doing their job and how quickly body At least 10 million Americans suffer from incontinence, which means that they are not able to control the times when they urinate. In some cases, the loss of urine is so Urinary tract infections are responsible for nearly 10 million healthcare visits each year.

What is the urinary tract? The urinary system Skip to main content. What is a Urinalysis also called a "urine test"? Some of the things a dipstick examination can check for include: Acidity pH is a measure of the amount of acid in the urine. A pH that is above normal may be a sign of kidney stones, urinary infections, kidney problems, or other disorders.

Protein is an important building block in the body. Everyone has protein in their blood. But it should only be in your blood, not your urine. Your kidneys play a role in this process. Healthy kidneys remove waste products and extra water from your blood, but leave behind the things your body needs, like protein.

When kidneys are injured, protein leaks into your urine. A urinalysis is a laboratory test. It can help your doctor detect problems that may be shown by your urine. Many illnesses and disorders affect how your body removes waste and toxins. The organs involved in this are your lungs, kidneys, urinary tract, skin, and bladder. Problems with any of these can affect the appearance, concentration, and content of your urine.

Urinalysis is not the same as a drug screening or pregnancy test, although all three tests involve a urine sample. If you already have a diagnosis for any of these conditions, your doctor may use urinalysis to check on the progress of treatments or the condition itself.

Before your test, make sure to drink plenty of water so you can give an adequate urine sample. However, drinking excessive amounts of water may cause inaccurate results. One or two extra glasses of fluid, which can include juice or milk if your diet allows, is all you need the day of the test.

Some of these that can affect the results of your urinalysis include:. Some other drugs can affect your results as well. Tell your doctor about any substances you use before doing a urinalysis. There, you can privately urinate into the cup. You may be asked to obtain a clean catch urine sample. This technique helps prevent bacteria from the penis or vagina from getting in the sample.

Begin by cleaning around your urethra with a premoistened cleaning wipe provided by the doctor. Urinate a small amount into the toilet, then collect the sample in the cup. In some cases, your doctor may request that you do the urinalysis using a catheter inserted into your bladder through your urethra.

This may cause mild discomfort. The sample will then be sent to a lab or remain in the hospital if they have the necessary equipment. In the microscopic exam, your doctor looks at drops of your urine under a microscope. They look for:. For the dipstick test, your doctor inserts a chemically treated plastic stick into your sample.