After being in the toilet, you find that your urine is bubble, a bit like foam. How to explain this? “”Proteinuria itself can cause the formation of a lot of foam in the urine“First explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.”This happens because excess protein in urine reduces superficial tension, creating bubbles during excretion “.
When should you worry about this situation?
But don’t panic. The doctor immediately specifies that not all sparkling urine is pathological.
“”A foaming urine is often linked to concentrated urine. Urine contains many mineral salts“Specifies the doctor again.
Clearly, occasional frothy urine can simply result from slight dehydration or a food supply rich in protein.
Pathologies that can cause sparkling urine
On the other hand, this phenomenon can also be caused by certain renal or systemic diseases. Dr. Kierzek notably quotes nephrotic syndrome, which manifests itself by rapid weight gain, abdominal pain and sparkling urine, a consequence of increased permeability of glomerular capillaries in the kidney.
Diabetic nephropathy is also frequent and represents a major cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults. Other renal attacks such as glomerulonephritis can also cause proteinuria.
Among systemic diseases, Dr. Kierzek mentions diabetes, hypertension, systemic lupus erythematosus or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. “”These conditions can cause sparkling urine and report underlying renal damage“.
Other more punctual causes exist, such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones.
When should you consult a doctor?
According to the medical director of True Medical, “If the foam has persisted for several days or has been accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, fatigue, blood in the urine, edema or an unexplained weight gain, it is essential to consult “.
In the same way, a decrease in the volume of urine, history of diabetes or hypertension, or a pregnancy in progress are all signs that must alert.
“Urine occasionally frothy can be normal”he concludes, “But if this phenomenon persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it can reveal a proteinuria requiring a rapid medical assessment. At least a urinary strip or even a complete analysis “.