What is specific gravity in a urinalysis?
What is specific gravity in a urinalysis?
URINE SPECIFIC GRAVITY (USG) measures the concentration of particles in urine and the density of urine compared with the density of water. 1. Measuring USG is an easy and convenient way to gauge a patient’s hydration status as well as the functional ability of his kidneys.
What does low specific gravity mean in physics?
of a liquid tells you how much more or less dense the liquid is than water. Water has a specific gravity of 1.000 (near 4°C). If a liquid is more dense than water, then its specific gravity is greater than 1. If it is less dense than water, then the specific gravity is less than 1.
Why is it useful to determine the specific gravity of a urine sample?
A urine specific gravity test compares the density of urine to the density of water. This quick test can help determine how well your kidneys are diluting your urine. Urine that’s too concentrated could mean that your kidneys aren’t functioning properly or that you aren’t drinking enough water.
What is the significance of specific gravity?
Specific Gravity is an Important Property It is important that the temperature and pressure of each substance is the same so that the density values represent the properties under the same conditions. An important feature of specific gravity is that it can be calculated based on the sg’s of the components in a mixture.
What is the meaning of the specific gravity and why is it important?
The specific gravity is the ratio between the density of an object, and a reference substance. The specific gravity can tell us, based on its value, if the object will sink or float in our reference substance.
What does low gravity in urine mean?
Low specific gravity suggests that urine is too diluted. The person may be drinking too much fluid or have a condition that makes them thirsty. Conditions that cause low specific gravity include: diabetes insipidus. kidney damage or kidney failure.
What factors affect specific gravity in urine?
Factors that affected USG included age, diet type, sex, fasting status, drinking avidity, refractometer type, and the interaction between sex and diet – increasing dietary moisture content lowered USG only in female cats. Most factors minimally affected USG.
Why is the specific gravity important?
What factors affect specific gravity?
Specific gravity varies with temperature and pressure; reference and sample must be compared at the same temperature and pressure or be corrected to a standard reference temperature and pressure. Substances with a specific gravity of 1 are neutrally buoyant in water.
What are the factors affecting specific gravity?
What affects urine specific gravity?
The higher the number of particles in the urine, the higher the urine specific gravity. If there are more particles than in water, urine will be denser, and the specific gravity will be higher. Particles present in the urine may include glucose, proteins, and ketones.
Why do we test specific gravity?
What can affect specific gravity in urine?
Increased urine specific gravity may be due to conditions such as:
- Adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones (Addison disease)
- Heart failure.
- High sodium level in the blood.
- Loss of body fluids ( dehydration )
- Narrowing of the kidney artery (renal artery stenosis)
- Shock.
- Sugar (glucose) in the urine.
Why does urine specific gravity increase with dehydration?
The first and most common reason for an increase in urine specific gravity is dehydration. The second reason for a high specific gravity is an increased secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). ADH causes increased tubular water re-absorption and decreased urine volume.
What factors affect specific gravity of urine?
What increases urine specific gravity?
Glucose, protein, or dyes used in diagnostic tests excreted into the urine increase the specific gravity. If none of these abnormal substances are present in the urine, there are two primary reasons why the kidney is producing concentrated urine with a high specific gravity.