You have probably been asked for a urine sample at some point in your life. The urine samples are typically analyzed in the hospital laboratory for various tests. The multiple tests help the doctors to get the correct diagnosis of the diseases that their patients are suffering from.
It also helps them in monitoring the progress of the patients. The urine test strips can be used to determine whether a patient has diabetes or the urinary tract infection. Many women also test whether they are pregnant or not by making use of the urine pregnancy strip.
Characteristics of the Urine Tests
One of the frequently asked questions when it comes to the urine tests is their characteristics. Well, it is important to note that the elimination of urine from our body is one of the most critical functions as it helps with the flushing out of toxins. When we urinate, we also get to regulate our body temperature.
Whenever we take medication and eat food, the body carefully filters what it requires and expels what it does not need. Toxic substances in foods and some medications are usually eliminated when we urinate. The urine test can help us in determining the various diseases in the urinary system like the liver disease and diabetes.
Color and Odor
The color and odor of the urine can be used to tell us whether something is right or wrong. The quantity of the urine that we pass can also be used to tell us whether something is wrong or not. When someone passes very dark urine, it might mean that he is sick or he has not drunk enough fluids.
Dark urine might mean that the kidneys are not working correctly. Urine that appears reddish indicates the presence of blood. Such cases can be tested in the laboratory to help in evaluating the presence of various diseases.
Giving a Urine Sample
Urine can easily be contaminated with cells, bacteria, and other substances. It is thus highly recommended to clean the genital area with water before giving out the sample. You should however not use soap.
To avoid the urine sample from being contaminated, an example of midstream urine is typically used. The examination of the different components of the urine can be used to give five standard urine tests. Some can be done at home whereas the others can be done in the laboratory.
Rapid Urine Test
The rapid urine test is one of the ways of testing the urine. The rapid urine test involves the dipping of a test strip on the urine sample for a few seconds.
You have to wait for a little while for the tests to reflect. Depending on the concentration the urine test strip will change its color.