Urine Check
Urine check or also called urinalysis is a health examination conducted through urine media. The process involves examining the appearance, concentration, and substances contained in the urine.
Many diseases and disorders affect how the body eliminates waste and toxins. The organs involved in this are the lungs, kidneys, urinary tract, skin, and bladder. Problems with any of these organs and systems can affect the appearance, concentration, and content of urine.
Why Do Urine Tests?
Checks are usually performed for the following reasons:
- Check Overall Health
Doctors may recommend a urine test as part of a routine medical examination, pregnancy examination, and preparation for surgery or operations.
In addition, this examination also helps detect health problems, such as diabetes, kidney-related diseases, and liver disease.
- Diagnosing Medical Conditions
The doctor may also recommend a urine test if the patient experiences abdominal pain, back pain, frequent urination, blood is detected in the urine, or any health problems related to urine.
Urine tests are generally performed to help diagnose the cause of the symptoms of the disease felt by the patient. For example, urine looks cloudy (not clear) when affected by a urinary tract infection. Increased levels of protein in the urine can also indicate kidney disease.
- Monitoring Medical Conditions
If a person has been diagnosed with a medical condition, such as kidney disease or a urinary tract disorder, the doctor will recommend regular urine tests to monitor the condition and treatment being carried out.
When to Do It?
Urine tests can actually be done at any time. However, if you notice any changes in your urine, such as persistent changes in color, odor, or consistency, contact your doctor immediately.
Likewise, if you experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as a strong and persistent urge to urinate, and/or a burning sensation when urinating, a urine test is usually necessary.
In some conditions, urine checks also need to be done routinely. For example, in pregnant women, who can use urine tests to detect positive or negative pregnancies through a test pack. Pregnant women are also advised to do this check regularly.
How to?
The urine test procedure begins with taking a urine sample. Medical personnel will usually provide a sterile cup container to hold the sample. It is not recommended to fast if you are only doing this test.
However, if the urine test is accompanied by other medical examinations, you will usually be asked to fast or increase your water consumption.
The way to collect urine in women and men is slightly different. In women, cleaning is required in the area around the urethra. Wipe the dry-cleaning tissue on the intimate organs from front to back in one direction.
Meanwhile, in men, the area around the tip of the penis must be ensured to be clean before collecting urine.
When collecting the sample, discard the initial stream of urine into the toilet, and collect the remaining 10 to 15 milliliters in a sterile cup. After that, discard the remaining urine directly into the toilet.
This method is called mid-stream clean-catch urine sample collection. The collected sample must be examined immediately (between 1 to 2 hours after collection). However, if the examination cannot be done immediately, the urine sample will be stored in the refrigerator.
Urine Test Results
Urine test results can have several interpretations due to test variations. Abnormal results may indicate a medical problem, although not always.
In most cases of abnormal urine test results, further testing is needed. For example, blood tests or imaging tests, so that the doctor can confirm the diagnosis of a condition.
In general, the greater the concentration or level of an atypical substance, such as high glucose or red blood cell levels, the more likely it is that there is a medical condition that requires treatment.
Doctors rarely use a urine test alone to diagnose a condition. However, a urine test can provide useful information and help guide the doctor toward a diagnosis.
If you have questions about your urine test results, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor.
Where to Do It?
Urine tests can be done at any health facility, from clinics or community health centers, hospitals, and emergency units (UGD), to health laboratories.