Your urine can reveal a lot about your health. From its colour and consistency to how strong it smells, the content of your urine or a urinalysis can tell you whether or not you should worry. Similar to how dark-coloured urine indicates dehydration and a kidney issue, foamy urine, characterised by bubbles in the urine, can also signal trouble. But this is not always the case. Sometimes, bubbles in your urine may not mean anything and can be temporary. To help you tell the difference, OnlyMyHealth spoke , who also listed underlying health problems that can cause foamy urine.
Bubbles in the urine can be harmless and may disappear quickly after flushing. Sometimes, it is simply due to the speed and force of urination, which traps air and creates bubbles, or stems from dehydration, which can make urine more concentrated and cause foamy urine, according to Dr Shingare.
In contrast, bubbles that persist, are frothy, or appear frequently may indicate a kidney issue like protein leak in urine, the doctor added. Proteinuria, also known as albuminuria, is a condition that occurs when excess protein leaks into the urine due to kidney problems, leading to foamy and bubbly urine. Research suggests proteinuria affects between 8-33% of the general population.
Treatments for proteinuria may include medications that decrease the protein leak, lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, and reducing salt intake.
Other causes of foamy urine include Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and use of soap or detergent in toilet water. Occasional bubbles are usually harmless, but if they persist or if you notice other symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or changes in urine colour, it is essential to consult a doctor for further evaluation.
Dr Shingare revealed that foamy urine can be an early sign of kidney disease or diabetes.
“When the kidneys are damaged due to diabetes or any other cause, they may leak protein into the urine, causing it to appear foamy. In diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage kidney filters, leading to proteinuria and foamy urine,” he explained, adding, “These patients may also notice swelling in the feet or early morning swollen eyelids.”
Drinking enough water helps maintain normal kidney function, reduces kidney stone formation, and flushes out bacteria that cause UTIs.
As discussed, dehydration increases the concentration levels in the urine, which can lead to bubbles in the urine. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage, especially in hot and humid weather. This is why staying well-hydrated helps your urine be more diluted, reducing the likelihood of foamy urine.
According to Kidney Research UK, women should aim to drink eight 200ml glasses of fluid a day, whereas men should drink ten 200ml glasses of fluid a day.
Dr Shingare recommended consulting a doctor if bubbles in the urine are persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or changes in urine colour.
“Persistent bubbles may indicate proteinuria, which requires medical evaluation. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease, then you should undergo urine and blood tests to look for underlying kidney disease,” he concluded.
