Yes, kidney failure can cause distinct odors, primarily an ammonia or fishy smell in the breath and urine, due to the buildup of waste products like urea that failing kidneys can't excrete, causing them to be released through sweat, breath, and urine. This condition, known as uremic fetor, creates a noticeable scent often described as similar to urine or ammonia.
For thousands of years 'fishy' smelling breath and urine have been associated with renal disorders. This smell is now known to be caused by the presence of unusually high concentrations of amines. Some amines are exogenous volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are ingested as part of normal diet.
In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.
If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs:
Chills. Pain in your lower back or side. Pain when you pee (urinate). Bloody or cloudy pee (hematuria or pyuria) that might smell bad.
Foul smelling urine in adults can have many causes including infection, and is seldom a reason to start treatment with antibiotics. Non-infectious causes may be metabolic disease as for instance trimethylaminuria (fish odor syndrome), ingestion of certain food (asparagus) or drugs, or bad hygiene [1].
Symptoms of a kidney infection
See a GP if: You have smelly pee and: you need to pee suddenly, more often than usual, or during the night. you have pain or a burning sensation when peeing.
Water is the best beverage for supporting kidney health. It helps flush out toxins, maintains electrolyte balance, and prevents dehydration. Drinking at least 8–10 glasses of water daily is essential for anyone in recovery, especially those enrolled in an Alcohol Treatment Program or Drug Rehab Programs.
Kidney disease causes chemicals in urine to become concentrated and to cause a smell resembling ammonia. Kidney dysfunction can also cause high urine bacteria and protein levels, contributing to an ammonia smell.
Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.
Alcohol: Drinking alcohol makes your kidneys less able to filter your blood and increases blood pressure, which can lead to kidney damage. Sugary beverages: Sweetened drinks can harm the kidneys in several ways.
Some studies have suggested that cranberry juice may lower levels of a protein called cystatin C, which is a marker of kidney function. Other studies have shown that cranberry supplements improved kidney function in people with early-stage kidney disease.
Symptoms of kidney disease
You feel kidney pain near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage, on each side of your spine where your kidneys are. Your kidneys are part of the urinary tract, the organs that make and remove urine from the body. (pee). You may feel kidney pain on one or both sides of your back.
The kidneys are unable to regenerate lost tissue or repair significant damage on their own.
STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis can cause foul-smelling urine or discharge. Medications. Medications that contain sulfonamides (sulfa) can make your pee smell like rotten eggs as your body breaks down sulfa into sulfur. Sulfa is common in many antibiotics.
Bladder infection. Cystitis (irritation of the bladder) Dehydration — when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work as it should. Diabetic ketoacidosis (in which the body has high levels of blood acids called ketones)
When to Visit the Doctor for Foul-Smelling Urine. Since the primary cause of foul-smelling urine is dehydration, Dr. Davis suggests increasing your water intake for 24 hours. If the smell persists, or you notice additional symptoms of pain, urgency or change in urine color, contact your doctor.