Pregnancy, UTI, and Other Causes

White floaters in your urine can occur if you have certain infections or health conditions, including kidney stones. White discharge can also appear during pregnancy.

There are many conditions that can cause white particles to show up in your urine. Most of them are easily treatable, but you should still check with your doctor to make sure it’s not a sign of something more serious.

Keep reading to learn more about possible causes and how to manage them.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of white particles in the urine. Usually bacteria (and, less commonly, certain fungi, parasites, and viruses) can cause an infection somewhere in the urinary tract.

Most UTIs affect your urethra or bladder in your lower urinary tract, but they can also affect your ureters and kidneys in your upper urinary tract.

In both men and women, discharge from the urethra due to a UTI can leave white particles in urine.

Other symptoms of a UTI may include:

• burning sensation while urinating
• more frequent urination
• increased urge to urinate
• difficulty passing more than a small amount of urine
• bloody or cloudy urine
• dark-colored urine
• urine that has a strong odor
• pelvic pain in women or men
• rectal pain in men
• pressure in the pelvis
• pain in lower abdomen

Most bacterial UTIs are easily treated with antibiotic therapy. In rare cases, a UTI can travel up to your ureters and kidneys. If this happens, you may need intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy.

Seek immediate medical treatment if you have:

• high fever
• nausea and vomiting
• shaking
• chills
• significant pain in lower back and sides at the same level

White particles in your urine can be especially alarming if you’re pregnant. It’s likely due to leukorrhea, normal vaginal discharge that’s usually thin and milky. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy increases. You might notice a lot of it, but it’s completely normal. Some can leak out when you urinate, creating the appearance of white spots.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you’re pregnant and have discharge that’s not white, especially if it looks pink or darker.

Kidney stones

When your level of a crystal-forming substance (such as calcium oxalate or uric acid) is too high in your urinary tract, it accumulates in your urine and kidney(s). This means you’re at a higher risk of developing hardened kidney stones. These stones can then move into other parts of your urinary tract.

If you have kidney stones that are fairly small, you may pass them while urinating. This can make it look like you have small, white particles in your urine.

Other symptoms of kidney stones include:

• urgent need to urinate
• intense and/or fluctuating pain in abdomen, lower back, or side
• pain radiating to the groin and lower abdomen
• burning or pain during urination
• bloody, cloudy, or smelly urine
• inability to urinate more than a small amount at a time
• nausea and vomiting
• fever and chills

Most small kidney stones and their related symptoms can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) and an alpha blocker (such as tamsulosin) to help you to be able to pass the kidney stone.

If you have larger stones, they may need lithotripsy, a method for breaking up the stones into smaller pieces. In rare cases, you may need a more invasive urological procedure or surgery to remove them.

Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. There are many types of STIs, and several of them can cause genital discharge in both men and women. These include bacterial STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea and the protozoan parasite STI trichomoniasis.

When you urinate, this discharge can leak out into the toilet, making your urine look cloudy or like it has bits of white tissue in it.

Men often don’t have any additional symptoms other than burning during urination with the urethral discharge. In addition to these two symptoms, women may notice:

• vaginal itching
• pelvic pain

If you think you’ve been exposed to an STI, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Most bacterial and parasitic STIs can be successfully treated with a round or two of antimicrobial therapy.

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy (described above) is not the sole cause to affect only women. Due to a more complex anatomy, women are more prone to having urinary or gynecological problems that may also result in white spots in urine.

Ovulation

Cervical mucus is produced and secreted by your cervix. Both the consistency and the amount released change depending on where you are in your monthly cycle.

Before and leading up to ovulation, you might have extra mucus that’s more moist and creamy in appearance than at other times. It’s not unusual for some of this mucus to come out in the urine.

If your mucus discharge is foul smelling, bloody, or green, contact your doctor.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an inflammation of the vagina that occurs when there’s an imbalance of its naturally occurring bacteria. It often doesn’t cause any symptoms, but some women notice thin, gray, white, or green discharge from the vaginal area. If this comes out when you urinate, you might notice some white clumps in your urine.

Other possible symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include:

• fishy odor
• itching
• burning sensation when urinating

Treatment options for bacterial vaginosis include:

• topical antibiotic gel or cream that you put inside the vagina
• oral antibiotic medication

Yeast infections

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the yeast fungus Candida albicans in the vagina. One of the most common symptoms is a thick, odorless discharge that may look like cottage cheese.

Additional symptoms of a yeast infection include:

• itching
• burning during urination or sex
• pain during sex
• soreness
• redness
• swelling

The telltale symptom of a vaginal yeast infection (thick, white discharge) may come out in the urine, creating white particles.

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may have you take an antifungal cream, suppository, or ointment. You can also find over-the-counter versions of most of these. In some cases, a yeast infection may require treatment with a prescription oral antifungal like fluconazole (Diflucan).

Retrograde ejaculation

Men who experience retrograde ejaculation have dry orgasms, meaning little to no semen is ejaculated. When a man has a retrograde ejaculation, the sphincter that usually prevents semen from entering the bladder doesn’t contract. This causes semen to flow into your bladder instead of out of your penis. When you urinate after ejaculating, you may notice semen in your urine that looks like white particles.

While retrograde ejaculation doesn’t cause any health problems, it can reduce your fertility. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe medication that helps keep your internal urethral sphincter shut during ejaculation. In some cases, infertility treatment may be necessary for couples trying to conceive.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate gland. This can be caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial prostatitis can cause urethral discharge that might leak out into your urine when you have a bowel movement and make your urine look like it has white spots in it.

Additional symptoms of prostatitis include:

• difficulty urinating
• pain when urinating
• pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, or rectum
• chills
• fever
• foul-smelling urine
• pain in your testicles
• painful ejaculation
• erectile dysfunction
• low libido
• throbbing near genitals or rectum

If you have acute bacterial prostatitis, you’ll likely need antibiotic therapy for two to four weeks, and your doctor may advise you to drink more water.

If you notice white particles in your urine, it’s likely from genital discharge or a problem in your urinary tract, such as kidney stones or possible infection. If you have significant symptoms that accompany the white particles in your urine, you may want to see your doctor. You can work with your doctor to find the underlying cause. Most are easily treatable.

White particles in urine? Causes, symptoms, when to seek help

Some conditions, such as pregnancy, infections, and kidney stones, can cause white particles in the urine or make it appear cloudy. Typical urine is faint yellow and free from any specks.

Pregnancy and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common causes of urinary changes, but many other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

In this article, we look at what causes white particles in urine and when to speak with a doctor.

Possible causes of white particles, or sediment, in urine include:

1. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, there are a variety of hormonal changes that can cause vaginal discharge and other symptoms.

Discharge can mix with urine as it leaves the body, and it may appear as white particles in the urine. This is usually not a cause for concern.

Anyone who is pregnant and has discharge that appears darker or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching or burning, should speak with a doctor, as they may have an infection.

2. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

UTIs are a common cause of white particles in the urine.

UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and make their way to the bladder, kidneys, or ureter, where they multiply and cause the infection.

Less commonly, viruses, parasites, or fungi entering the urinary tract may cause a UTI.

According to a 2018 review, a UTI can cause discharge in both males and females and can cause white particles to appear in the urine.

Other symptoms of UTIs include:

• pain in the abdomen or pelvis
• an urgent need to urinate
• pain while urinating
• trouble urinating
• cloudy or discolored urine
• foul-smelling urine
• fever or chills

Bacterial UTIs usually require antibiotics. If the UTI is left untreated, it may spread to other parts of the body and can cause serious complications.

Anyone who thinks they have a UTI should speak with a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

3. Ovulation

Some people with vaginas produce extra cervical mucus during ovulation. This mucus may have a milky or creamy texture and may resemble a stringy white substance in the urine.

While it is typical for some of this mucus to be released into the urine, a person should speak with a doctor if the discharge has a foul odor or is colored.

4. Retrograde ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when the muscle or sphincter that keeps semen from entering the bladder does not contract properly. This can cause the person to have an orgasm without ejaculating, as the semen goes into the bladder instead.

According to a 2016 literature review, when the person empties their bladder later, they may notice stringy, white bits of semen floating in the urine.

Retrograde ejaculation does not pose any direct health concerns, but infertility treatments may be necessary if a couple is trying to conceive.

5. Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is inflammation in the vagina caused by an imbalance of bacteria.

This can cause a variety of symptoms, including a foul or fishy odor and a burning sensation while urinating.

Some people also notice a thin, grayish-white discharge that may mix in with the urine and cause white particles to appear.

Treatment for bacterial vaginosis varies but may include oral antibiotics or suppositories.

6. Yeast infections

A yeast infection may also cause white particles in the urine. The fungus Candida albicans is found naturally in healthy people, but in certain situations, it can grow rapidly in the vagina and cause an infection.

Yeast infections often cause a thick, chunky discharge that may resemble cottage cheese in appearance. This discharge can mix with the urine and lead to white bits appearing.

In addition to this, a yeast infection may cause other symptoms, such as:

• redness and swelling around the vagina
• itching or soreness
• soreness or pain while urinating
• pain during sex

Doctors often recommend prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatments to treat yeast infections.

7. Prostatitis

Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate gland and can be caused by a bacterial infection near the gland.

It can cause discharge from the urethra that mixes with urine. People with prostatitis may have other symptoms, including:

• difficulty urinating or painful urination
• chills or fever
• pain in the lower back
• throbbing or pain in the testicles, perineum, or rectum
• painful ejaculation
• erectile dysfunction

Most cases of bacterial prostatitis require antibiotics.

8. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

STIs are transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sexual contact, and many of them can cause changes in the urine.

STIs that may cause genital discharge in all genders include:

• trichomoniasis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhea

This discharge may appear as white particles in the urine or make the urine itself appear white or cloudy.

Anyone who thinks they may have an STI should contact a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. They should also refrain from sexual contact or use a condom or other barrier method to avoid transmitting an STI.

9. Kidney stones

Kidney stones develop when the levels of certain substances, such as uric acid or calcium oxalate, in the body get too high. The excess can build up in the urinary tract and may turn into kidney stones.

If the kidney stones are small enough, the body may expel them through the urine without a person noticing. They may appear as small white particles.

Kidney stones may also cause significant pain in the abdomen and other symptoms, including:

• feeling the need to urinate constantly
• difficulty urinating
• burning and pain during urination
• pain radiating through the lower abdomen, pelvis, and groin
• foul-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine

Many kidney stones can be passed with the help of OTC pain medications.

According to a 2018 literature review, doctors can also prescribe drugs called alpha-blockers that may help break the stones into smaller pieces.

In rare cases, people may need medical procedures to break up and remove the kidney stones.

The appearance of white particles in urine may change, depending on the underlying cause of the issue.

Symptoms may show up in different ways, including:

• white flakes in the urine
• stringy, cloudy substance in the urine
• grayish sediment floating in the urine
• murky or milky urine

An underlying medical condition will often cause a few other symptoms to appear. These are important to note, as they will help a doctor diagnose and treat the problem.

Some causes of white particles in the urine, such as pregnancy and ovulation, are considered normal and require no treatment.

If a person notices any additional symptoms, such as itching or pain, they may need to speak with a doctor.

Additional symptoms may be a sign of an underlying condition or infection that requires prompt treatment. Anyone who has frequent white particles in the urine or is uncertain about the cause should also speak with a doctor.

Receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent any possible complications.

Genital discharge is often the cause of white particles in the urine. Finding the underlying cause of this discharge is essential for getting the right treatment. Many cases are easily treatable with a doctor’s help.

Some causes, such as STIs or kidney stones, may require more attention. However, the outlook is good in most cases.

What are some causes of white specks or cloudy urine?

Pregnancy, UTIs, STIs, and some types of underlying conditions or infections can cause the urine to have white specks or a cloudy appearance. Any changes to the appearance or smell of the urine, or any pain or discomfort, should be addressed with a doctor.

Is having white particles in the urine a serious condition?

While seeing anything out of the ordinary in the urine should be addressed with a doctor, most causes of white particles or specks in urine are not life threatening.

What if a person’s urine is cloudy?

Conditions that can cause white particles in the urine, such as infection, bacterial vaginosis, prostatitis, or yeast infections, may also make it appear cloudy. A person should speak with a doctor to address any new or worsening symptoms.

Flakes in the urine – the causes of occurrence, in what diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment

Fungus

Cystitis

Thrush

Colpitis

76061

27th of December

Flakes in the urine: the causes of occurrence, in which diseases they occur, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Definition

Urine is a waste product produced by the complex process of blood filtration by the kidneys. Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder, then through the urethra it is excreted.

By producing urine, the kidneys remove protein breakdown products, food additives, processed drugs from the body, and also regulate the amount of water and electrolytes in the body. Normal urine is more than 90% consists of water, it can detect urea, uric acid, ammonia, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium ions. In minimal amounts, protein and blood cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes), epithelium (cells lining the urinary tract) enter the urine. Urine color is determined by the pigments urobilin and urochrome. Normally, and subject to the technique of collecting urine, glucose, hemoglobin, bilirubin pigment, ketone bodies (a product of carbohydrate and fat metabolism), lipids, salts, bacteria, fungi, and mucus are not detected in it. There are no cylinders – casts of protein, epithelium, leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin and fats.

With the proper functioning of the internal organs, a balanced diet, a normal drinking regime and the absence of coloring substances in food, urine is formed in the amount of 1–1. 5 liters per day, it is yellow or straw-yellow in color, without a strong odor, does not foam, is transparent, has no suspension and sediment.

In case of pathology of the urinary system or in case of improper collection of biomaterial, substances appear in the urine that should not be in it.

Urine flakes are visible clots, usually white, yellow, or red, floating in the collected urine.

Varieties of flakes in urine

Flakes in urine vary in composition. In the form of flakes, there may be protein, leukocytes, erythrocytes, pus, accumulation of bacteria, fungi, mucus, epithelium (the surface layer of the skin and mucous membranes), etc.

Possible causes of flakes in the urine

The most common causes of flakes in the urine include inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.

A precipitate in the form of flakes is detected when the rules for collecting urine are not followed, because of which vaginal discharge, the secret of the glands of the external genital organs, the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes, etc. , get into it.

What diseases cause flakes in the urine

Urethritis – inflammation of the mucous membrane (inner lining) of the urethra. The disease is usually infectious, caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa. Less commonly, urethritis is allergic or traumatic. Symptoms of urethritis are pain, burning, cramps when urinating. With bacterial urethritis, the amount of protein in the urine increases, mucus, pus appear, the number of leukocytes increases, bacteria are present, sometimes epithelial cells of the urethra and blood. With candidal urethritis, accumulations of yeast-like fungi are found in the urine.

With cystitis – inflammation of the bladder – frequent painful urination, pain above the womb, radiating to the perineum, anus, in men – to the penis.

The disease is infectious in nature and is manifested by the same changes in the urine as urethritis.

With pyelonephritis – bacterial inflammation of the kidney tissue – the temperature rises sharply (up to 40 ° C), chills, increased sweating, weakness, pain in the lumbar region occur. Urine becomes cloudy, a large number of bacteria, leukocytes are found in it, pus appears, the level of protein and erythrocytes increases.

Pyelonephritis often occurs against the background of obstruction of urine output, for example, when the ureters are compressed by the uterus in pregnant women, prostate enlargement, with urolithiasis, and prolonged urinary retention.

Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland. The disease is usually bacterial in nature. In addition to the possible appearance of epithelium, leukocytes, erythrocytes, mucus, bacteria, pus in the urine, with prostatitis, there are impaired urination with frequent urges, pain in the sacrum, perineum and anus, and fever.

Candidiasis (fungal colonization) of the vagina is accompanied by itching and discomfort in the vagina and in the vulva, as well as curdled discharge, which, together with mucus and epithelium, can enter the urine.

Bacteria, leukocytes, mucus, epithelium may appear in the urine in the form of flakes with bacterial vaginosis – imbalance of the vaginal microflora in favor of opportunistic microorganisms (living in the vagina permanently and capable of causing disease under certain circumstances), as well as with colpitis or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina infected with Trichomonas, gonococci, streptococci, staphylococci, etc. ).

Another disease that causes the appearance of flakes in the urine is bladder leukoplakia , in which the epithelium of the bladder mucosa thickens (keratinizes), becomes similar in structure to the skin, and when rejected appears in the urine in the form of flakes.

Symptoms are frequent painful urination with frequent urges, frequent nighttime urination, pain over the womb, blood and flakes in the urine. The disease can lead to the development of bladder cancer.

Which doctors to contact

If flakes appear in the urine, contact
general practitioner or
therapist. If necessary, a consultation can be scheduled
urologist,
gynecologist.

Diagnosis and examination in the presence of flakes in the urine

If flakes are found in the urine, the doctor will conduct a thorough questioning and examination of the patient, identify additional symptoms, if any.

To clarify the diagnosis, you may need:

• complete blood count;

Clinical blood test: general analysis, leukoformula, ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in the presence of pathological changes)

Synonyms: Complete blood count, UAC. Full blood count, FBC, Complete blood count (CBC) with differential white blood cell count (CBC with diff), Hemogram.
Brief description of the study CBC: general a…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 810

Add to cart

General urinalysis (Urine analysis with sediment microscopy)

Method of determination

Determination of physical and chemical parameters is carried out on an automatic analyzer using the “dry chemistry” method.

Hardware microscope…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

410 RUB

Add to cart

Nechiporenko Urine Test

Synonyms: Determination of the amount of blood cells in the urine sediment; Sample of Nechiporenko; Urinalysis by the Nechiporenko method.

Analysis of urine Nechiporenko; Urinalysis; Urine…

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

475 RUB

Add to cart

Urinalysis

Material for research:

smears prepared in the laboratory from the sediment of transudates, exudates, secrets, excreta and urine;

smears prepared from …

Up to 2 working days

Available with home visit

RUB 1,030

Add to cart

Identification of STI pathogens (7+KVM*), scraping of epithelial cells of the urogenital tract

Determination of the DNA of microorganisms that cause the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the vaginal, cervical and urethral nipples. ..

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 3,185

Add to cart

Ultrasound of the prostate

Ultrasound scanning of the prostate, giving an idea of ​​the condition of the prostate and the presence of pathology.

RUB 2,190

Sign up

Treatment for flakes in the urine

Treatment for flakes in the urine is to eliminate the cause of the flakes.

In case of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and organs of the reproductive system, the doctor may recommend antibacterial, antifungal therapy, as well as prescribe anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic drugs. In women, after the main treatment, the normal microflora of the vagina is restored.

A sparing diet is recommended with the exception of fried, spicy, salty, floury, sweet, alcohol, drinking plenty of water, as well as sexual abstinence for the duration of treatment.

What to do if flakes are found in urine

use of soap and intimate hygiene products). You need to collect an average portion of urine, while urinating, cover the entrance to the vagina with a sterile napkin.

If all the conditions are met, and there are still flakes in the urine, it is this urine that needs to be taken for analysis.

To confirm the detected changes, the doctor may recommend a second urine test. You should not leave this symptom unattended or self-medicate, this can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Sources:

1. Urology: Textbook / ed. N. A. Lopatkina. – Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2007. – 520 p.
2. Differential diagnosis of urinary syndrome: leukocyturia. Trukhan D.I., Bagisheva N.V., Goloshubina V.V. , Konshu N.V. // International Journal of Applied and Fundamental Research. – 2017. – No. 3-2. – S. 205-208.
3. Clinical guidelines “Cystitis in women”. Developed by: Russian Society of Urology. – 2021.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Changes in urine – norm, causes, diagnosis, treatment

How urine is formed

Urine is formed in the process of filtering blood by the kidneys. Passing through the kidneys, the blood is cleared of unnecessary substances. Its main volume is sent back to the bloodstream, and a small amount of fluid is excreted from the body in the form of urine.

Each kidney consists of several segments – nephrons. There are glomeruli and tubules in the nephron

Blood is filtered in the glomeruli of the kidney. The resulting liquid is called primary urine

In the tubules of the kidney, primary urine is filtered again, and part of the liquid is again sent to the bloodstream (this process is called reabsorption)

Urine consists of 95% water and 5% of impurities: electrolytes, breakdown products of cell components .

If a person becomes ill, the composition of the urine changes. For example, with inflammatory kidney disease, urine may become cloudy or change color. And in diabetes mellitus, the volume of excreted fluid increases significantly.

Main characteristics of urine

Changes in urine can indicate a variety of pathologies: kidney disease, infectious processes, endocrine disorders.

You can notice some violations yourself. For example, that there is less urge to go to the toilet and less urine, or that the liquid has changed color or smell. Others can only be identified in the course of laboratory tests.

Urinalysis

Urine 24 1 day

24 bonuses

240 ₽

Add to cart

1 day

Urine 0 ₽

Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko

Urine 25 1 day

25 bonuses

250 ₽

Add to cart

1 day

Urine 0 ₽

Urinalysis according to Zimnitsky

Urine 43 1 day

43 bonuses

430 ₽

Add to cart

1 day

Urine 0 ₽

Urine culture for microflora

Urine 67 1 day

67 bonuses

670 ₽

Add to cart

1 day

Urine 0 ₽

Analysis of mineral metabolism (23 elements) (urine)

Urine 320 5 days

320 bonuses

3 200 ₽

Add to cart

5 days

Urine 0 ₽

There are a number of urine characteristics that are used to evaluate the urinary, endocrine and other systems. Changes can be qualitative or quantitative. Among the qualitative ones are such indicators as color, transparency, foaminess. Among the quantitative ones is the volume of fluid released during the day.

Quantity

The amount of urine excreted, or diuresis, is determined during a daily analysis: the patient collects urine in a container for 24 hours, and then estimates its approximate volume. The normal amount of urine is from 800 ml to 2 liters. If urine output is less than 500 ml, the diagnosis is oliguria. If more than 2 liters – “polyuria”.

Possible causes of changes in urine volume

Oliguria – a decrease in the amount of urine separated – may indicate dehydration (for example, with an increase in body temperature or vomiting), severe blood loss (in case of injury, after surgery, during menstruation).

Polyuria may indicate the development of diabetes or diabetes insipidus, excessive production of the hormone by the parathyroid glands or the adrenal cortex. Also, polyuria may indicate diseases of the urinary system.

Color

The color of urine is determined by the bile pigment, which is produced in the liver during the breakdown of hemoglobin. Normally, urine should be clear or light yellow.

Possible causes of discoloration of urine

A change in the color of urine does not always indicate pathology. Hue may change due to natural or synthetic dyes present in food, or changes in fluid intake.

The color of urine can determine the general condition of the body and identify some pathologies, including dehydration

Also, the color of urine can be affected by medications taken: depending on the drug, it can become bright yellow, orange, reddish or dark brown.

However, if the color of the urine has changed for no apparent reason, this is a reason to be examined. Hue may change due to kidney disease
(pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, kidney infarction) and liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholelithiasis) or in case of metabolic disorders.

Transparency

Fresh urine should normally be completely clear. Gradually, it may precipitate from salts and mucus.

Possible reasons for the change in transparency

If the urine is cloudy or with a suspension, this may indicate that it contains salts, bacteria, mucus. This composition indicates inflammatory diseases of the urinary system, urolithiasis or metabolic disorders.

Urine may also become cloudy if a person eats a lot of fish and seafood.

Specific Gravity (Density)

Specific gravity indicates how dense the urine is, i.e. concentrated. The indicator is quite unstable: it changes during the day (urine has the highest density in the morning), depends on the amount of fluid you drink and even on the air temperature outside. However, significant deviations from the norm may indicate the development of pathological processes.

Possible causes of changes in specific gravity

A significant deviation in the density of urine from the norm can develop with metabolic disorders, diseases of the kidneys or bladder, hormonal imbalance, inflammatory diseases. Also, the density can increase with dehydration: diarrhea, vomiting, intense training.

This is one of the indicators that a person can notice even without a laboratory test: the richer the color of the urine, the higher its specific gravity. An increase in the density of urine without an obvious reason (for example, a recent poisoning) is a reason to consult a doctor.

Odor and foaminess

Normally, fresh urine is practically odorless and does not foam.

Possible causes of odor or foam

If the urine has a sharp or specific odor, this may indicate dehydration, diseases of the urinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis), urogenital infections or serious metabolic disorders.

Foaming is usually caused by protein. It can get into the urine with kidney pathologies.

If the urine foams, see a doctor and get tested

Acidity (pH)

The reaction of urine – more acidic or alkaline – reflects the acid-base balance throughout the body. According to this indicator, a number of disorders can be identified and the body’s ability to resist infections can be determined.

Possible causes of changes in acidity

A change in pH can indicate diseases of the kidneys and bladder, for example, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, gout. Acidity can change during acute pathological processes: fever, vomiting.

The reaction is also influenced by the characteristics of the diet: if a person eats a lot of meat and protein foods, the environment becomes acidic, if the diet is dominated by vegetables and cereals, it becomes alkaline. When fasting, acidity rises.

Urine PH can be determined independently using test strips

What to do about changes in urine

Deviations from the norm do not always indicate pathological disorders. First of all, when collecting, there is a high probability of error – for example, mucus may appear if it is bad to wash or collect not the middle, but the first portion of urine. Among other factors that may affect the result: incorrect storage of the material (in a warm place, more than 12 hours), use of a non-sterile container, examination during menstruation.

If the analysis is not normal, the doctor will most likely ask for a second urine test.

Which doctors to contact if violations are detected

For any abnormalities in the properties or analysis of urine, you need to contact a general practitioner. He will conduct an initial diagnosis and, if necessary, refer to specialized specialists: a nephrologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, gastroenterologist.

Treatment

Change in urine may be physiological or indicate diseases that need to be treated. The decision on the need for therapy is made by the doctor. As a rule, a single urine test is not enough to make a diagnosis. Most likely, a number of additional studies will be required to clarify the diagnosis: a blood test, ultrasound of the kidneys, liver, and pelvic organs.