[34M] Experiencing frequent urination and back pain with strong-smelling urine

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but some are caused by viruses and fungi. UTIs are more common in women than in men. Symptoms can include frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, strong-smelling urine, and lower abdominal pain.

  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Drinking plenty of water can help to flush bacteria out of your system.

• Diabetes: Frequent urination with an unusual smell could be a sign of diabetes. When you have diabetes, excess glucose — a type of sugar — builds up in your blood. Your kidneys are forced to work overtime to filter and absorb the excess glucose. When your kidneys can't keep up, the excess glucose is excreted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues, which makes you dehydrated. This can lead to you needing to urinate more frequently.

  • Treatment involves managing your blood sugar levels with a combination of medications, diet, and exercise.

• Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract. While smaller kidney stones may not cause symptoms, larger stones can cause severe pain, blood in the urine, and frequent urination.

  • Treatment can involve pain relievers and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone. Medical procedures may be needed if the stone is too large.

What you can do

You should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms. They may want to perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. In the meantime, drinking plenty of water can help to flush your urinary system.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms worsen, you develop a fever, your urine becomes cloudy or you see blood in your urine, or you experience severe pain in your back or side below your ribs.

Remember, this advice is intended to be helpful and informative, but it's not a substitute for professional medical advice.