My urine smells; heart rate monitors
Q: Some days my urine smells like ammonia. Then it goes away for a few days; then it comes back. Should I get checked for bladder cancer? - Kelly-Ann C., Bethesda, Maryland
A: Well, if you go to your doc, he might check your kidney and liver function. But don't panic. Unless there's blood in your urine and it's painful to urinate, you probably don't have bladder or kidney issues. It's more likely that the ammonia smell in your urine is caused by dehydration, medications or supplements, eating asparagus or a urinary tract infection. UTIs can be painful if untreated, but they're usually effectively treated with antibiotics.
Dehydration can be a result of diarrhea, illnesses like cold or flu, or simply not drinking enough water (eight to 10 glasses a day). Urine usually has a weak smell, but when the chemicals in your body's liquid waste flow become more concentrated, so does both the color and the smell. That's why deep-yellow urine is a sure sign that you need to drink more water; you want it pale or colorless. And as we said in "YOU: The Owner's Manual," you should be able to read a newspaper through it. (But don't try that!)
Foods high in vitamin B-6 - like salmon or turkey, or veggies like asparagus or garlic that contain the sulfur compound methyl mercaptan - probably are the most common cause of stinky urine, but it also could be from starting or stopping medications and/or vitamins, or even stress! To determine the cause of your smell:
1. Keep a food and medication diary, recording all vitamin/mineral/herbal supplements, alcohol and tobacco intake.
2. Keep track of your physical activity and exercise.
3. Note every time you urinate and every time you notice the smelly urine.
4. Examine your journal for patterns, and discuss with your doc.
Q: My doc says I should get a heart rate monitor and use it when I work out. Is that really beneficial? - Frank D., Reno, Nevada
A: Our guess is that your doc is concerned about your heart. Maybe using the monitor will help you see something that he or she has been trying to get across to you for a while: "Take better care of your heart!" So here's the deal on heart monitors.
Whether you use a wristwatch-style monitor or strap one around your chest, these high-tech tools can help you:
-Exercise safely.
-Make training more efficient.
-Tell you if you're not training hard enough and motivate you to train harder.
-Alert you if you're training too hard and are outside of your training parameters.
You can calculate your maximum exercising heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. So if you're 50, Frank, your max heart rate is 170. And for most aerobic and strength-building routines - and the best cardiovascular benefits - you want to stay between 80 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate, or around 136 to 144 (for 20 minutes, done three times a week). Ask your doc if that's safe for you, and work up to it. If you're on antihypertensive medication, ask if that lowers your heart rate target.
Assessing your heart-rate health: Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Michael Lauer says that the most important factor in measuring heart health is your heart-rate reduction following exercise.
Once you stop your workout, your heart rate should drop by about 20 beats during the first minute. Says Dr. Lauer, folks who have a reduction of 12 beats or fewer during that first minute are at higher risk of suffering a heart attack later in life.
If you were at that 85 percent of your maximum rate, having it drop by about 68 beats after 2 minutes tells you that your heart is in its ideal range for fitness.
So, ask your doc about establishing your target heart rate for working out; then you'll make sure you get all the amazing physical and emotional benefits that come from regular exercise.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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