Contents
Most of us do not pay too much attention to the function of urinating. Meanwhile, his observation may lead to the diagnosis of many diseases, especially when he “behaves” differently than usual, eg when he foams. What is the evidence of foaming urine?
- The most common cause of urine foaming is the rate at which you pass it. Urine foams upon contact with the surface of the toilet water, just like a strong stream of country water upon contact with the surface of the sink
- However, the causes of this phenomenon can also be very serious and indicate a serious kidney disease, therefore foaming urine should not be underestimated
- Foam when urinating can also appear in men who struggle with the so-called. retrograde ejaculation
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
The most common causes of urine foaming
Foaming urine does not have to be a signal of any ailments or diseases. One of the most common causes of its foaming is the speed of its release. The pace is usually faster when the bladder is full and the urine flows out at high pressure. Just as a large stream from the tap causes the water to foam by bouncing off the sink or bathtub, the same stream of urine may foam when it comes into contact with the water in the toilet. Such foam spreads quite quickly and the color of the urine becomes lighter. It is nothing unnatural and does not indicate any health problem.
A trivial and equally common cause of urine foaming is the use of certain toilet cleaners. Some chemicals can foam on contact with urine. The easiest way to check this is by removing the substance from the toilet water or by not using it for a while.
Urine can also foam when it is highly concentrated. This is often the case in pregnancy, but also when we are dehydrated, we drank too little water in relation to the needs of our body. It is not dangerous, as long as it happens sporadically and we remember to replenish the fluids. It is worth remembering that adequate hydration is crucial for the proper functioning of the entire body. Irregular drinking of water and other valuable fluids may cause disturbances in the work of its individual systems.
The rest of the text below the video.
When should foam in urine be of concern?
Sometimes unusual phenomena are at the root of urine foaming. One of them is the so-called retrograde ejaculation, which occurs in men. This is where semen, instead of squirting out of the penis, flows back into the bladder and is excreted along with the urine. Retrograde ejaculation may be associated with diabetes mellitus or nerve damage from spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. It can also be caused by certain medications taken in the treatment of hypertension or prostate enlargement, as well as surgery of this gland or urethra.
Some medications can even directly cause urine foaming. One substance in particular contributes to this: Phenazopyridine. Interestingly, the drug containing it is used, inter alia, in in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
However, there are also other situations in which foamy urine should be of serious concern to us. Urine foam can appear, for example, when there is too much of a protein called urine in the urine albuminwhich reacts with air to form foam. The mere excretion of protein in the urine is natural, but if there is too much protein (over 150 mg), it may indicate a deterioration of health.
Proteinuria can be physiological (e.g. caused by excessive exercise) or pathological. In the latter case, it may indicate progressive kidney disease. This requires immediate treatment, as proteinuria is one of the late symptoms of kidney failure.
Foamy urine – when to see a doctor?
If your urine foams intermittently, don’t worry. It is worth paying special attention to proper hydration of the body and taking care to drink at least 2,5-3 liters of water every day.
However, if foamy urine appears frequently, or foam appears in urine for several days in a row, it is a good idea to consult your GP or urologist. Consultation is advisable especially when foaming urine is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue or swelling, or when the urine becomes cloudy or blood appears in it.
The basic diagnostic test to objectively determine why urine foams is a general urine test. The answer to the question about the causes of this phenomenon is also given by the determination of the ACR index, i.e. the level of albumin / creatinine in the urine. Assessment of the ratio of these two compounds will confirm or rule out renal dysfunction. If the standards in these tests are exceeded or the result is inconclusive, the doctor may order additional tests.
Did you know that you can do a urine test yourself? You will find them at an attractive price in Medonet Market.
An important diagnostic test is also the assessment of blood sugar levels, as diabetes often underlies ailments related to the genitourinary system.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time we devote it to the problems of the perineum – a part of the body just like any other. And although it concerns all of us, it is still a taboo subject that we are often ashamed to talk about. What do hormonal changes and natural births change? How not to harm the pelvic floor muscles and how to care for them? How do we talk about perineal problems with our daughters? About this and many other aspects of the problem in a new episode of the podcast.