Cloudy Urine

Cloudy urine or milky urine can be a sign of some kind of illness or infection in a person. Normal urine has a wide range of colors varying from clear like water to dark amber color. In fact, urine color usually depends upon the level of hydration and ammonia in the body. But remember, cloudy urine is a symptom and not an illness in itself. However, changes in urine color or clarity can often be bothersome, especially, if accompanied with other urinary symptoms like frequent urination and pain or burning sensation while urinating.

Cloudy urine is more commonly encountered in the morning as the urine is most concentrated due to depletion of fluid levels during the night. Now let us try to understand what causes cloudy urine in people and how it can be cured.

What Causes Cloudy Urine?

• Dehydration: Dehydration, which is a common cause of various health ailments, is also significantly responsible for cloudy urine. Loss of fluids from the body, especially due to sweating, exercising, or less fluid intake can deplete water levels in the body leading to dehydration.

• Phosphate Crystals: One of the most common cause for cloudy smelly urine is the presence of excess phosphate crystals in the urine. This condition is totally harmless and usually occurs if a person eats a large meal comprising beet, asparagus, etc, or drinks milk high in phosphate. Phosphate crystals precipitate and make the urine appear cloudy or milky.

• Vaginal Discharge: Vaginal discharge is the most prominent cause for cloudy urine in women. Whether it is a normal or abnormal vaginal secretion, vaginal discharge itself is a symptom that can have numerous causes for its occurrence.

• Vitamin Supplements: Excessive intake of vitamin supplements can also cause cloudy urine in both men and women. Water soluble vitamins like vitamin B and vitamin C, either do not get stored in the body or get stored only in minute amounts. Hence too much intake of these supplements can cause excess flushes through to the kidney which get expelled in the urine.

• Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary tract infections (UTI) like pyelonephritis can cause puss and cloudiness in the urine especially in men. Pyelonephritis is commonly associated with flank pain or burning sensation on urinating, frequent urination, fever, or symptoms of some other infections along with cloudy urine odor.

• Bladder Infections: Cloudy urine is also due to onset of bladder infection like cystitis. In this condition, the cloudiness is mainly due to presence of white blood cells in the urine. Frequent urination, sharp pain or burning feeling while urinating, fever, or chills are some other symptoms associated with cystitis.

• Gonorrhea: Sexually transmitted disease called gonorrhea that causes bacterial concentration in the urine is another prime cause for urine color change or cloudy urine in both men and women.

• Proteinuria: Another concern for cloudy urine is proteinuria, which occurs due to excessive protein concentration in the urine. Proteinuria is also a common cause for cloudy urine during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Proteinuria with high blood pressure can be a worrisome combination during pregnancy and hence needs immediate medical attention.

• Other Factors: Kidney stones, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) and bilharzia (an infestation with or a resulting infection due to a parasite of the genus schistosoma) are some other probable causes for cloudy urine. Sometimes, mucus in urine can also impart it a cloudy appearance.

What to Do When Urine Appears Cloudy?

Cloudy urine is either a cause for concern if it is due to a serious underlying disease, or it may be nothing to worry about specially if it is due to consumption of certain foods. Whatever be the reason, it is important to notice its frequency. It is alright if it is observed once or twice, but if it occurs quite frequently, then it surely calls for medical attention. It is better to make the following observations before going to a physician so that it is easy for him to identify the actual cause behind this problem.

• When was the first time you noticed cloudy urine?

• How frequently do you excrete cloudy urine?

• Is cloudy urine accompanied by pain or burning sensation while urinating?

• Are you on any kind of medication?

• Which food items you have been consuming lately?

• What is your sexual history for the past one year?

• Have you recently suffered from any kind of illness?

How is Cloudy Urine Treated?

In most cases, the disorder cures on its own, but if it persists for more than a day or two, a physician's consultation becomes necessary. Treatment for cloudy urine primarily depends upon its underlying cause. Physicians first try to figure out the root cause behind the problem, depending on which further treatment is advised. Antibiotics and diuretics are quite effective in treating infection and relieving pain or discomfort associated with cloudy urine. Patients are also advised to drink at least 6 - 8 oz. of water daily and maintain proper hygiene to avoid this ailment.

Can Home Remedies Treat Cloudy or Milky Urine?

There are some home remedies which can be used to treat cloudy urine only if its occurrence is rare. Unclear urine is often due to dehydration and to treat it, following remedies can be used.

• Cranberry helps in reducing cloudiness of urine. Drinking its juice several times a day will solve the problem.

• Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy for cloudy urine. It is basically useful for those who have urinary tract infection as the main cause behind cloudy urine. However, it should not be used as an alternative to proper medical treatment.

• Coriander seeds can also be used for this problem. Boil coriander seeds in water for some time. Let the liquid cool down. Strain it in another container and drink two ounces of it twice a day.

The above mentioned remedies must only be used as an adjunct to medical treatment, and only after they are discussed with a medical practitioner. Right approach at the right time will help in treating the problem of cloudy urine is a safe and effective manner.