At some point in your life, you might have undergone Urinalysis, commonly known as a urine test. This test is compulsory if you have symptoms of Urinary infections or a problem in your digestive tract. Although not with the same precision, Urinalysis can be performed at home. Let us discuss Urinalysis a little more closely.
What is Urinalysis?
Urinalysis, simply put, is a detailed test performed on your urine to diagnose any thorough abnormality or disease present in your kidney, liver, urinary tract and digestive system.
Why is it Performed?
Urinalysis can be the starting point of diagnosis, giving your doctor a clue about anything wrong with you. Depending upon the results of the Urinalysis, the doctor might perform more follow-up tests to get to the root of your problems.
Urinalysis is also performed during pregnancy to monitor health and to gain more insights if you are preparing for surgery.
The Type of Analysis Done in Urine Tests at the Lab
Three significant types of analysis are performed on your urine during a Urine Test:
- Visual Analysis
- Microscopic Analysis
- Chemical Dipstick Test.
These are used to figure out any unusual thing with your urine.
· Visual Analysis
Visual Analysis is the simple visual examination of your urine. The lab technician checks the colour of the urine, which ranges from transparent to red, and foaminess.
Different colours indicate different conditions, such as red or brown, which means blood is in your urine, indicating an infection in the urinary tract. The technician also does a smell test for any unusual smell.
· Microscopic Analysis
Microscopic analysis is used to detect the presence of Red and White Blood Cells, sperm, bacteria, parasites, and urinary casts, which are tubes that contain different cells or substances.
· Chemical Dipstick Test
Chemical dipsticks are sticks that are wet from being dipped in your urine. These sticks then change colour according to the content of your urine. There is a chart that tells what each colour represents. The technician then tallies the condition according to the chart. Dipstick test can tell you the presence of the following in your urine:
- Proteins that can be a symptom of a problem with your kidney
- Glucose, which indicates diabetes
- Bilirubin, a waste material, indicates the improper functioning of the liver
- Nitrites, which indicate bacteria
- Blood cells
- It also tells you the pH of your urine and the specific gravity of your urine.
Ribbon Checkup is another way of monitoring your health using a urine test strip. The test strip consists of a ribbon made of plastic or paper about 5mm wide. This strip checks for indicators like glucose and ketones, which help to detect and manage diabetes. In addition, these strips also monitor other parameters to monitor kidney functioning, hydration, liver health, and infections.
How to Take Urine Sample?
Taking a urine sample is simple but should be hygienically performed with care. Take urine by taking the following steps:
Wash your genital area to prevent any germs from entering the urine.
- Urinate a little in the toilet and stop.
- Take a clean cup and urinate in it.
- Close the cup lid and hand it over to the lab technician.
These steps will help in a hygienic way of giving urine samples to the lab technician.
Do you need to take special steps before undergoing Urinalysis?
Urinalysis does not require you to do anything extra or less. You can continue your routine before the test, but try to avoid any artificial food colouring that can affect the colour of your urine. If the doctor guides you, you must follow his directions for the test to be performed normally.
How to Perform Urinalysis at Home?
Urinalysis can be performed at home for a quick health check without visiting a lab or a doctor. You will need to buy an over-the-counter Chemical dipstick.
You can either let the urine stream run over the stick or take a sample in a cup through the abovementioned method and dip the stick in the urine. The stick will change color, and you can check the result according to the color code on the dipsticks pack.
Conclusion
So, Urine Analysis can be performed at home and give you more health insights than a lab test can. If you find any problems, contact a medical professional, who may guide you through the next step.
Robert Wiley is a versatile and accomplished writer with expertise spanning multiple niches, delivering insightful and engaging content across various fields. His diverse experience and deep knowledge make him a sought-after author in the world of digital writing.
