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The epithelium lines the inside of the urethra as well as the bladder itself. Like every organ in our body, they regenerate, but are also subject to natural exfoliation, so a small amount of them will always be in the urine. So is the squamous epithelium in the urine the norm and shouldn’t we worry about it? Yes and no, because if a large amount of these epithelia is revealed in the urine test, then the result of the test may indicate a urinary tract infection. How to check if we are healthy?
The most important information about epithelium
Epithelial cells cover tissues in the urinary system. In the process of replacing old cells with new ones, epithelial cells peel off, and therefore also squamous epithelium in the urine can be found in any person. Urine of pregnant women is especially abundant in epithelium and just before menstruation. However, the result of a large amount of epithelium in the urine could indicate a disease.
Urine test for epithelium
Each person should have blood and urine tests at least once a year. Thanks to the urine test, you can check the condition of the urinary tract, but also the whole body, because the urine contains many clues about what is happening to the body. One indication of whether the body is healthy or sick is the presence of a certain amount squamous cells in the urine.
The norm of squamous epithelium in the urine is 3–5 epithelia in the sample. The epithelium itself can be of different shapes: flat, round or atypical. Which is why the norm of squamous epithelium in the urine is interpreted by the doctor not only by them quantity in the sample, but also through them Shape.
The amount of squamous epithelium above the norm
If there are many squamous cells in the urine, this means that the urinary tract has become inflamed. Most often it is inflammation of the urethra, and in women – inflammation of the vulva. However, then inflammatory bacteria or leukocytes are also present in the urine sample. Although the symptoms of cystitis are usually severe, they do not always occur! Inflammation of the urinary tract can also be asymptomatic, and then it takes longer to develop and, unfortunately, is more extensive.
Very often, the squamous epithelium in the urine is numerous in children. But it may be the result of an incorrectly collected sample for testing, as it is most often contaminated with epithelial cells from the intimate organs. Therefore, in children, before taking a sample, it is important to wash the genitals, and only then ask the child to urinate. If the sample was washed correctly, numerous squamous cells in the urine could indicate urethritis.
Numerous irregularly shaped flat epithelia in the urine may also indicate bladder cancer. In the first phase, it is asymptomatic, but the development of the disease may also be accompanied by a number of symptoms, such as blood in the urine. Therefore, if a cancer is suspected, additional diagnostic tests are performed. In addition to typical inflammation, the presence of epithelium in urine it can also indicate kidney disease and even the presence of a virus in the body, such as measles, cytomegaly, and viral hepatitis.
In turn, in pregnant women it is normal to increase the quantity squamous cells in the urine in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, if a large number of epithelium will appear in the second and third trimesters, consultation with a doctor is needed.
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