Urine Color and Your Health

Urine is often overlooked as a diagnostic tool which can be a surprisingly informative indicator of your health. The color of your urine can reveal essential clues about your well-being. From hydration levels to potential health concerns, understanding what your urine color is trying to tell you can empower you to take proactive steps towards maintaining good health. Let's delve into the spectrum of urine colors and their potential implications:

Pale straw to transparent yellow is the ideal color for urine and indicates that you are well-hydrated. When you are drinking enough fluids, your urine becomes diluted, resulting in a light-yellow hue. Keep up the good work on staying hydrated if your urine falls into this category.

If your urine appears dark yellow or amber colored, it suggests that you may be dehydrated. This darker color occurs when your body conserves water by producing less urine. It's a sign to increase your fluid intake, particularly water, to maintain proper hydration levels.

Orange-colored urine could be attributed to various factors. It might be a sign of dehydration, but it can also indicate the presence of certain medications or foods high in beta-carotene. However, if the orange color persists and is accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain or fatigue, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional, as it could signify underlying health issues such as liver problems or bile duct obstruction.

Seeing red or pink urine can be alarming, but it's not always a cause for panic. Consuming certain foods like beets or berries can temporarily tint your urine red. However, it could also indicate the presence of blood, a condition known as hematuria. Hematuria can result from various causes, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or more serious conditions like kidney disease or bladder cancer. If you notice red or pink urine that isn't linked to food consumption, you should talk to a healthcare professional.

Brown urine can stem from several factors, including dehydration, liver disorders, or the breakdown of red blood cells, a condition called hemolysis. Additionally, certain medications, such as laxatives containing senna or antibiotics like metronidazole, can darken urine. However, persistent brown urine may signal a more severe underlying issue, such as liver disease or rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle fibers break down rapidly. Consulting a healthcare professional is advisable if you consistently observe brown-colored urine.

Green or blue urine is rare but can occur due to certain medications or foods containing dyes. It can also result from a genetic condition called familial benign hypercalcemia, where excess calcium in the body can cause the urine to appear greenish blue. However, if green or blue urine is not linked to any known dietary factors or medications, it could indicate a bacterial infection or the presence of a rare metabolic disorder. Seeking medical attention is recommended if this color persists.

Cloudy urine may not necessarily be a cause for concern, as it can result from harmless factors such as excess phosphate or urate crystals. However, it can also signal underlying infections, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If cloudy urine is accompanied by symptoms like pain or a strong odor, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Monitoring the color of your urine can provide valuable insights into your overall health and hydration status. While changes in urine color can often be attributed to benign factors like diet or medication, persistent or unusual colors warrant medical attention. Remember, your urine color is just one piece of the puzzle, and it is essential to consider other symptoms and factors alongside it. By staying attentive to changes in urine color and seeking timely medical advice when needed, you can take proactive steps towards maintaining optimal health and well-being.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Adding the Right Activity

Spring is one of the best seasons to start your health journey by increasing your daily activities; crisp air and sunny weather makes being outside enjoyable for almost anyone. Being active is one of the best things you can do to get fit and stay healthy. It helps you feel stronger and have more energy. It can help you lose fat, build muscle, and reach a healthy weight. Being active may also help you feel better, sleep better, and focus. 

Walking is an excellent way to increase activity. 

How do you get started with adding more activity? Experts recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate activity, or 1¼ hours of vigorous activity each week to stay healthy. But it can be hard to get into the habit of daily activity. It's important to find activities that fit your lifestyle and your personality.

Answering the questions below may help you figure out what activities would be best for you.

• Do you prefer to be active by yourself or with others? Joining a group or a class can help keep you motivated. But some people are more likely to stay with an activity or exercise if they do it alone.
• Do you like to be outdoors when possible, or do you feel safer and more confident indoors? Many people love being outside. But you may not like it when the weather is too hot, too cold, or too wet. Or you may be uncomfortable being alone outdoors away from home. If you're mostly an indoor person, keep that in mind when you choose an activity.
• Do you prefer to compete with others, compete with yourself, or not compete at all? Some people do better if they have someone to compete with—even if that someone is themselves. Others do better when there's no competition to worry about. For example, choose gardening or dancing over team sports or tennis if you don't like competition.
• Do you like a mental challenge, or would you rather not have to think or concentrate while you are active? Some activity options exercise your brain as well as your body as you think about what your next move should be. Riding a bike requires you to pay close attention to your surroundings and where you're headed. If you'd rather shut off your brain and let your body do the work, try doing housework set to music. Or rake leaves or go for a walk or a jog.
• Do you prefer to be active in the morning, midday, or evening? We all have different body clocks that make us more energetic at certain times of the day. Our schedules often are the key to when we can take the time to exercise and when we can't. Which part of the day is best for you? The better you plan your activity times to match your energy levels and your daily schedule, the more likely you are to keep up your healthy activity habits.
• Are you interested in taking classes or getting instruction to learn a new activity? You may not know how much you'll enjoy a certain activity until you become familiar with it. A class or other type of lesson can help you find out. If you don't want to join a class, choose something you can learn or do on your own.
• Do you prefer everyday activities, such as gardening, to more structured activities? Many people find that everyday activities are easier to keep doing. Other people are more likely to stay with an activity if it requires them to show up for a class or for a game.
• How much money are you willing to spend on gear or other expenses related to an activity? There are activities to match every budget. You can walk around your neighborhood without spending any money. Try online video exercises or download a free app on your smartphone. You may be able to join a community exercise class for a small fee.

If you are interested in increasing your activity level but concerned that you might not be ready, Rains County AgriLife is hosting A Matter of Balance, a program designed to improve balance and stability. This eight-session program will be held every Monday from 10:00 am -12:00 noon, April 1st through May 20th at the Rains County AgriLife Extension office, 410 Tawakoni, Emory, Texas 75440.  Please join us if you are concerned about falls, have fallen in the past, have restricted your activities due to falling concerns, or have an interest in improving balance, flexibility, and strength.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Texas Wildfire Supply Points and Information

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is establishing Animal Supply Points in several locations in the region to accept the donations. The purpose of the Animal Supply Point is to meet area producers’ most critical needs such as providing feed for cattle while they assess their individual operation’s other needs.

The ongoing wildfires, fueled by dry, windy conditions, have exceeded 1 million acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Forest Service will continue to update the size and containment of these and other fires in the Texas Panhandle.

“These donations will go directly to those who need them as soon as possible,” said Monty Dozier, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension Disaster Assessment Recovery, DAR, program director, Bryan-College Station. “Texans are known for their generosity and deep values of Texas agriculture during times of need. This is certainly a situation where our neighbors and friends are needing assistance after these fires have threatened their livelihoods.”

Several Animal Supply Points are being set up through AgriLife Extension’s DAR program. Those with hay, feed or fencing materials to donate, or with equipment to help haul hay, should contact the following supply points and coordinators:

• East Location Animal Supply Point: Clyde Carruth Pavilion, 301 Bull Barn Drive, Pampa. Contact Marcus Preuninger at 806-669-8033.
• North Location Animal Supply Point: Canadian AH&N Ranch Supply, 100 Hackberry St., Canadian. Contact Andy Holloway at 806-323-9114.
• West Location Animal Supply Point: Industrial Park, 407 Industrial Boulevard, Borger. Contact Hanna Conner, 806-878-4026.

A relief fund has been established through the STAR Fund Disaster Assistance through the Texas Department of Agriculture. For the donation link and additional information, please visit https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/2024-panhandle-wildfires/. General questions about donations or relief efforts can be made at 806-354-5800.2024 

Donations of other types can be made at the following locations:

• Hemphill County General Donations: send to AgriLife Extension – Hemphill County, 10965 Exposition Center Road, Canadian, Texas 79014 or call 806-323-9114.
• Hutchinson County Relief Fund: Hutchinson County United Way fund at the Amarillo National Bank or https://www.hutchinsoncountyunitedway.org/donate.
• Potter County: Donations can be mailed to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Attn: Potter Ag, 3301 SE 10th Building 1, Amarillo, Texas 79104. Checks should be made out to Potter Ag.
• Monetary donations in Gray County should be sent to: City of Pampa – Attn: Finance, Box 2499, Pampa, Texas 79066-2499, reference 02/27/2024 Fire, or made by phone or in person at FirstBank Southwest-Pampa at 806-665-2341. Reference City of Pampa donation for Smokehouse Creek Fire.
• To make donations for people who lost their homes in Hemphill County, go to First Baptist Canadian at http://fbccanadian.org/firehelp/ or Hemphill County Agriculture Wildfire Relief, Box 300, Canadian, Texas 79104.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

A Matter of Balance (AMOB) - April & May 2024

Aging comes with a variety of unique quirks, oddities, and issues, but falling and fall-related injuries are at the top of the list of concerns. In the United States, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries. According to a compiled list of fall-related statistics by the National Council on Aging (2023), 1 in 4 Americans over age sixty-five fall every year. Additionally, every eleven seconds someone over age sixty-five is treated in the emergency room for fall-related injuries and every nineteen minutes someone dies from a fall-related injury. In other words, falls are responsible for more than 3 million ER visits and more than 32,000 deaths annually. The fear of falling can lead to reduced activities, physical health decline, social isolation, and depression.

Factors Contributing to Fall Risks:

• Physical Factors: Age-related changes in vision, balance, and muscle strength can increase the likelihood of falls. Chronic health conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and Parkinson's disease can also impair mobility and balance, making individuals more susceptible to falls.
• Environmental Hazards: Cluttered living spaces, inadequate lighting, slippery floors, uneven surfaces, and lack of handrails or grab bars significantly contribute to fall risks. 
• Medications: Certain medications, particularly those that cause dizziness, drowsiness, or changes in blood pressure, can increase the risk of falls. 
• Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary behavior, lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition can weaken muscles, decrease bone density, and compromise overall health, thereby increasing susceptibility to falls. 

Falling, fall-related injuries, and a fear of falling do not have to be a guaranteed part of aging. Falls can be avoided through lifestyle changes and participation in evidence-based fall prevention programs. A Matter of Balance (AMOB), an eight-session evidence-based fall prevention program, has been specifically designed to help seniors aged sixty and older reduce their fear of falling and increase activity levels. Many older adults who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. Activities are conducted in two-hour sessions once a week over an eight-week period. AMOB addresses physical, environmental, medical, and lifestyle factors associated with falling along with introducing evidence-based exercises. Attending an AMOB course significantly reduces the risk of falls and helps improve quality of life for aging individuals. 

Rains County AgriLife is hosting A Matter of Balance. This eight-session program will be held every Monday from 10:00 am -12:00 noon, April 1st through May 20th at the Rains County AgriLife Extension office, 410 Tawakoni, Emory, Texas 75440.  Please join us if you are concerned about falls, have fallen in the past, have restricted your activities due to falling concerns, or have an interest in improving balance, flexibility, and strength. 

If you or someone you love has experienced a fall or has a fear of falling, call the Rains County AgriLife Extension office at (903) 473-4580 to reserve your spot. Space is limited. This program is open to all and is free of charge.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

A Matter of Balance (AMOB) - April & May 2024