Understanding Bubbles in Urine: Causes and When to Worry

Your urine can tell you a lot about your health. But what if it looks unusually bubbly? Should you be worried? Foamy urine is quite common. However, it can also mean something more serious. So, how do you know if it’s harmless or a sign of a bigger issue?

Dr. Shirley Koeh, a functional medicine doctor from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, shares some tips. These tips can help you understand whether the bubbles in your urine are normal or a warning sign.

Is It Normal to See Bubbles in Urine?

Bubbles in urine can happen for many reasons. Not all of them are cause for alarm. Dr. Koeh says that a single episode isn’t a warning sign.

In a video shared on Instagram, she explains: “If you see bubbles in your urine, we need to know if this is the first time or a single episode. If it’s just a single episode, there’s nothing to worry about. Once you hydrate, it will go back to normal.”

She advises: “Try to hydrate yourself as much as possible. Do not hold your urine. Try to pass urine as frequently as possible. The bubbles should go away.”

However, seeing bubbles in urine often could signal an underlying cause. “Persistently having bubbles in your urine can indicate the presence of protein in the urine,” she warns.

Tests to Find Out the Cause

If bubbles persist despite hydration and frequent urination, testing for protein in the urine is important. Dr. Koeh mentions two tests that can help confirm this.

“The most accurate way is to send the urine to the lab. This test checks for microalbumin, a small protein that can be in your urine,” she says.

The second test is a urine dipstick test, which you can do at home. “But this test might not be as sensitive as the first one,” she cautions.

Understanding Protein in Urine

Protein in urine, also known as proteinuria or albuminuria, means there’s excess protein in the urine. Identifying this protein is a critical step. It helps determine if you need further medical evaluation.

Causes of Proteinuria

“If we have established that you have protein in your urine, we need to consider a few possible causes,” Dr. Koeh adds.

The presence of protein in urine could be due to various reasons:

• Hypertension: High blood pressure can strain the kidneys. This strain can lead to protein leakage.
• Diabetes: This condition can damage kidney function over time. The damage can result in proteinuria.
• Kidney Disease: Certain medications can trigger this. It’s known as drug-induced kidney damage.

Dr. Koeh advises, “Make sure you check your blood pressure for hypertension. Also, check your blood for diabetes. Rule out any possible drug-induced kidney disease.”