What Are the Conditions Found with Urinalysis?
With a urinalysis test that is performed by a laboratory technician, it is possible to learn more about a wide range of health problems in your body. At an urgent care center, you can request a urinalysis test to learn more about your health.
Here are some of the health conditions that are found with a urinalysis test:
- Kidney disease
- Urinary tract infections
- Pregnancy
- Substance abuse
- Dehydration
- Kidney stones
- Glucose abnormalities
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Heart disease
- Kidney cancer
- Internal bleeding
What Are Some of the Signs of a Urinary Tract Disorder?
Urine primarily contains water, but it can also contain waste particles that change the color of the urine. You should have clear or pale urine that has no odor. However, certain foods such as garlic, asparagus, or onions can change the odor of your body’s urine. If you are perspiring heavily or failing to drink enough water, then you can become dehydrated, and this will change the color or odor of your urine.
What Are the Substances Found in Urine?
A laboratory technician can perform additional tests to find certain chemicals in the urine to help with the diagnosis of a medical issue.
Some of the chemicals that a laboratory technician looks for include:
- Waxy casts – indicating that you have renal disease
- Calcium oxalate – found when you have kidney stones
- White blood cell casts – indicates that you have some type of infection
- Red blood cell casts – found when you have some type of urinary tract disorder
- Pyuria – caused by an infection in the urinary tract
- Hematuria – indicates that you have kidney stones, infections, or a tumor
When you arrive at the urgent care center, you will provide your medical history before using the restroom to fill a plastic specimen cup with your urine. A laboratory technician can examine the urine with a microscope, or alternatively, there are urine test strips that will indicate an abnormality.
Urinalysis Testing Requested by Employers
Your employer may request a urinalysis test occasionally to determine if you are drinking alcohol or using drugs while you are working. If you are applying for a job, then you may need a urinalysis test before you are hired. A urinalysis test can determine if you are pregnant or reveal that you have certain types of sexually transmitted diseases. To learn more about urinalysis testing, contact WellCare Urgent Care today. You can schedule an appointment online at our Cascade and Leonard offices.
