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What Causes Bubbles in Urine

Rajib Singha
Is it normal to have bubbles in urine, or let's say, a foamy urine? Well, having it occasionally is, but not when it keeps recurring. In this article we shall discuss the various health conditions that cause bubbles in urine and the symptoms that you should look out for.
The most obvious and benign reason behind foamy urine is that you might be urinating too rapidly. If you have the habit of ignoring nature's call, then your bladder might contain a large volume of urine. And finally when you go for it, your urine hits the toilet bowl with such force that it causes the formation of bubbles.
After sometime, it is obvious to see the bubbles disappearing. Also, if your urine is more concentrated than normal, then, even in this case, you may encounter foamy or bubbly urine.
This occurs when your body is dehydrated due to a dearth of sufficient fluid intake. And if you drink plenty of water after that, then you may notice your urine in a pale yellow color without any bubbles. However, if you notice that your urine contains bubbles every time you urinate, and it is happening over a continuous period of time, then you might have something to worry about.

Causes of Foamy Urine

Ruling out the above two mild causes, there are some medical conditions which may stand out as the offenders.

Cause # 1

One of the possible causes of your urine being foamy or bubbly could be a urinary tract infection (UTI), a common complaint, especially among women. This infection is caused by a bacterium and begins at the bladder or the urethra.
So apart from causing bubbles in the urine, it makes the urine cloudy, causes a burning sensation while urinating, and may also cause the presence of blood in the urine. Other signs could be a persistent urge to urinate, and urine that smells strong.

Cause # 2

Excess of protein in the urine, may also make the liquid foamy. This condition is known as proteinuria, and is usually an outcome of a kidney disorder. The kidneys are the filtering machines in our body, that filter out waste products and transport them to the excretory system.
However, the kidneys may malfunction and may not be able to retain proteins for the body. As a result, these components may also enter the urine and get expelled during urination.

Cause # 3

Another cause may be what is known as vesicocolic fistula. This term is used to describe a connection that unnecessarily forms between the urinary bladder and the large intestines (colon). So this may give rise to the development of edema (accumulation of fluid) at the base of the bladder.
Bubbles formed due to edema, may show up in the urine, when it hits the toilet bowl.
So, if your urine has bubbles in it and it occurs occasionally and without any other symptoms, then you need not worry about it. However, if it's otherwise, then do not wait and watch, but get yourself diagnosed at the earliest. Most medical conditions when treated at an early stage, have better chances of getting resolved and help in a rapid recovery.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.