Bubbles in Urine

Observing bubbles in urine after urination, can cause some people to panic. Urine is the solution prepared by the kidneys, containing excretory waste materials and water. By producing urine, the body is actually trying to get rid of the unwanted water-soluble substances in the body. Bubbles in urine indicates that the body is trying to get rid of something that causes bubbles. Now, bubbles in urine can also be triggered simply by the forceful flow of urine or mild dehydration. Let's find out more about bubbles in urine causes.

What Causes Bubbles in Urine?

Proteinuria
In healthy human beings, a small amount of protein is released in the urine. However, when large amounts of protein is released in the urine, the condition is called proteinuria. The level of protein to be released in the urine is regulated by the glomeruli in the kidneys. If the protein has passed the glomeruli filtration step and entered the urine, it only means that the glomeruli are inflamed or damaged. So how is this related to bubbles in urine? Well, the protein-rich urine reacts with the atmospheric air during urination and hits the water in the toilet bowl, to produce bubbles in urine. After urination, the toilet bowl contains abnormally large number of bubbles. The other symptoms of proteinuria are swelling of the feet, hands, face, etc. Read more on too much protein in urine.

Vesicocolic Fistula
A fistula is the term used to refer to an abnormal connection formed between two body cavities. So in this case, the vesicocolic fistula refers to the abnormal connection formed between the urinary bladder and the colon. A vesicocolic fistula is the most common type of fistula formation between the gastrointestinal tract and the bladder. It occurs more commonly in men, than in women. An edema or swelling is formed on the base of the urinary bladder and fluid gets accumulated under the skin. Bubbles formed in this fluid are released in the urine and can be indicators of medical conditions like tumors, Crohn's disease. However, several times there is no treatment required at all. Nevertheless, one needs to consult the doctor for further guidance.

Urinary Tract Infection
In a healthy adult, the urinary tract is clear of any infectious microscopic organisms, however, sometimes microorganisms manage to sneak their way into the urinary tract and conduce to infections. This is called urinary tract infection (UTI). Besides experiencing a burning sensation and the urge to urinate frequently at night, one may experience bubbles in the urine stream. A gas forming organism infecting the urinary tract is responsible for blowing these bubbles.

Kidney Disease
Since the kidneys are responsible for urine formation, any damage or infection in the kidneys results in release of protein in the urine. This protein leakage leads to bubble formation on urination. The person also urinates frequently, because the kidney's ability to prepare concentrated urine is lost, due to the damage or infection. The other symptoms of kidney disease are fatigue, lack of appetite and high blood pressure.

Frothy Urine
Oft people make the mistake of assuming foamy urine as bubbles in urine. Actually foamy urine in the toilet bowl is not a grave situation. It may just occur as a result of forceful urination. The urine appears frothy due to excess air getting trapped into the urine, as the stream of urine hits the water in the toilet bowl. However, if foamy urine happens quite often, then you need to consult your doctor and find out if the protein levels in your urine are high or not.

Mild Dehydration
Drinking inadequate amounts of water can result in a case of mild dehydration. The symptoms of mild dehydration are fatigue, headache, dry mouth and decreased urine output, which may at times be frothy. When a person in mildly dehydrated, the urine formed is more concentrated and is likely to form bubbles. To prevent this drink about 8 large glasses of water everyday.

Bubbles During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, some women observe bubbles in their urine. During ancient times, people predicted the sex of the unborn child, by observing the formation of bubbles in urine. However, keeping myths aside, the truth is that the kidneys of some women are seen to enlarge. The permeability of the glomerulus is also seen to increase, due to which protein seeps into the urine. The presence of this protein in the urine causes bubbly urine formation. Pregnant women should immediately consult the doctor and must not take any kind of medication, without consultation.

Bubbles During Menstruation
Some women experience bubbles in the urine during the first two days of menstruation. This can be mainly conduced due to dehydration and is not a reason for concern. Just drink plenty of water and the bubbles will disappear.

Sometimes, the chemicals in the toilet cleaner, may also react with the urine and cause bubble formation. Diabetics may also experience frothy urine. Thus, to check if your urine is frothy because of the chemical in the cleanser or some physiological problem, urinate in a sterilized beaker and check if the urine is still frothy. If the bubbles in urine symptoms still exist, then get a dipstick test for urinary protein or a simple urinalysis done. The doctor will send the urine sample to the laboratory to test the protein levels in the urine for proteinuria. However, to determine the exact cause of bubbles in urine, one may need to collect urine for the next 24 hours and send them for testing. The exact bubbles in urine treatment depends on the diagnosed cause confirmed by these tests.