It is normal to pass foamy urine from time to time, as many factors can influence this. One of them is the speed of urination, which greatly varies. However, you should consider seeing a doctor if foamy urine is something that you experience persistently over time.
A protein in your urine needs further evaluation. This protein could indicate a serious kidney problem when it is found in increasing amounts. Your doctor will recommend a urine test to check for increased levels of this protein.
You will have to take further tests if this one comes back positive. It is an indication that something is wrong, and it is important to find the cause and follow the necessary treatment.
Summary
Most of the time, urine will be some kind of a yellow color that is also flat. Multiple factors can influence its color and composition, such as diets and diseases. They can cause changes in color and the foaminess. We have investigated 4 reasons for foamy or bubbly urine. This is equal for female & men.
When your bladder is full, the urine hitting the toilet can be fast enough to stir up the water. In this case, the foam is nothing to worry about. But if this pattern persists and you notice it happening more often, you must consider seeing a doctor.
We also cover those subjects:
- Why is my pee foamy?
- Foamy vs. bubbly urine
- What causes foamy urine?
- Diabetes & foamy urine
- Care Touch
- Bubbles in the urine of females and males
- How long should it take for urine bubbles to disappear?
- When should I be worried about foamy urine?
- How do I get rid of bubbles in my urine?
- FAQ
Continue reading
See below, where we will present you with 4 reasons for foamy and bubbly urine when going to the toilet. and also indicate if you should be immediately worried.
Why is my pee foamy?
One of the most common reasons for foamy urine is the increased speed at which it hits the water. This happens as it hits the toilet quickly. This foam is clear and should clear up quickly. But it can also be foamy when it is concentrated.
If you are dehydrated or haven’t had enough water to drink, your urine can also be foamy. It indicates that you have too much protein in the urine, such as albumin. This protein creates foam when it reacts with the air.
The role of your kidney is to filter the excess water and waste from your blood into your urine. But proteins are too big to fit through the filters of your kidney, so they stay in the bloodstream. However, they won’t filter as well as they could once they are damaged.
Too much protein can enter your urine if the kidneys are damaged. It is a sign of chronic kidney disease or even late-stage of kidney damage. Another cause of the foam could be Amyloidosis, a rare condition that causes kidney problems.
Foamy vs. bubbly urine
Foamy and bubbly urine are basically the same symptoms of a problem related to your kidneys. There are several reasons why you have foamy or bubbly urine.
A fast stream will make it look bubbly simply because you had a full bladder which released a strong stream. Most of the time, a single layer of foam will form, which disappears naturally. It is normal, and it happens to both men and women.
If you use cleaning products for the toilet bowl, bubbles can appear. It happens only because of the chemical reaction between your urine and the solutions used for the toilet. It is not related to any medical problem or condition.
| Foamy | Bubbly |
| White | Bubbles are bigger |
| Stays in the toilet after flushing | Clear |
| Sign of protein in the urine | Flushable |
| Could be a kidney issue | |
| Potentially caused by lupus or diabetes |
You might get dehydrated if you do not drink enough water. Because of this, you might experience bubbly urine. It happens because it is more concentrated and darker than normal. The kidneys will also have trouble filtering the blood properly if the blood glucose levels are too high.
It happens with people suffering from diabetes. Glucose and protein molecules from the blood will end up in their urine, making it foamy and bubbly. Lastly, kidney diseases can also manifest through this symptom. If you notice foam on a regular basis, it is a good warning sign that something is wrong.
You should see a doctor and tell them about your problem’s frequency. Most likely, they will conduct a test, and you will proceed with specialized treatment after the results come.
What causes foamy urine?
Kidney failure is one of the reasons why urine can be foamy. The vital function of your kidneys is to filter the proteins from your blood. To maintain essential functions in the body, these proteins are essential.
Proteins can leak from the kidneys into the urine when a person has kidney damage. A functional kidney will not allow large quantities of proteins to pass into urine. However, if the kidney is damaged, this protein will pass through the filter.
If it is persistently foamy, it might be a good indication of proteinuria. It can be one of the symptoms signifying kidney disease. This disease has many more symptoms, and they can vary from person to person. Some of them are:
- itchy skin
- vomiting
- frequent urination
- swelling
- unexplained fatigue
- shortness of breath
- nausea
If you have at least three of these symptoms, you should contact a doctor and make an appointment for testing. If left untreated, such conditions can get worse with time.
Diabetes & foamy urine
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can induce high blood sugar. It will harm the kidneys and their blood vessels, making it hard for them to function well. If too much protein ends up in the urine, it clearly indicates a health problem.
| Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes | |
| Caused by | Genetic condition | Mainly lifestyle-related |
| What happens | Immune system attacks insulin-producing cells | Unable to make enough insulin |
| Symptoms | Appear quicker | Easy to miss as they’re progressive. |
| Management | Insulin | Insulin and/or lifestyle |
Just like diabetes, if you have high blood pressure, the force on your blood vessels will affect the kidneys over time, making them less effective in their role. High blood glucose levels will make filtering harder for your kidneys.
The glucose and protein molecules will mix together and end up in the urine, causing it to be foamy. Diabetes affects the way your body turns glucose into energy. Our bodies naturally use glucose for fuel, with the help of insulin. It is a hormone that the body releases naturally when it detects glucose in the bloodstream.
The role of insulin is to take the glucose into the cells, where it can be used as energy or stored.
Care Touch
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| Name | Blood Glucose Monitor Kit |
| Brand | Care Touch |
| Comes with | 100 Blood Sugar Test Strips |
| Dimensions | 8.2 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Great for | Travel |
| Weight | 10.4 Ounces |
Pros
- The price is reasonable.
- More than 30,000 reviews.
- Easy to use
Cons
- There are cheaper tests out there.
- You need to be willing to test from your finger.
- Using good technique yields better results.
Bubbles in the urine of females and males
The symptom of bubbles in urine is common for both men and women, and there is almost no difference between the genders. There are many causes why foam is forming, and some of them are:
The speed
It is one of the most common reasons. A rapid stream of urine will enter the toilet bowl and cause bubbles and foam to form. This foam will clear up quickly and should not be a cause of concern.
Dehydration
Drinking water is essential, and dehydration is a symptom of too little water intake. As a result, it can be foamy and bubbly. It happens because it is now concentrated and can get a spike in protein levels.
Kidney problems
A condition known as proteinuria will increase the amount of protein in your urine. It happens due to kidney problems, a serious cause of concern. Protein is present in everyone’s urine, but only large quantities will produce foam. In this case, everyone should seek the help of a doctor.
UTI medication
There are some medications intended for relieving pain caused by UTIs. This medicine has an active ingredient that will cause foaming in both women and men.
How long should it take for urine bubbles to disappear?
When the bladder is too full, you often won’t go to the bathroom immediately. It might happen for various reasons. Eventually, you will have to go as you can’t postpone your body’s functions.
When you eventually go to the toilet, the urine might come out too quickly and foam up as it hits the toilet bowl. This foam will usually last only a couple of minutes, and the bubbles will disappear by the time you wash your hands.
There is no need to worry about your health, as this effect happens every time your bladder is full. Another reason why bubbles form can be related to cleaning products used in the toilet bowl. These solutions contain chemicals that will produce foams and bubbles when they come in contact with urine.
These bubbles might last a long time even after you flush the toilet, so there is no need to be worried if you notice that the bubbles are not going away. This type of foam will not indicate serious problems.
You can make a test yourself and leave the pee in the bowl for a few minutes before flushing. If you do not have any problems, the foam should disappear after a few minutes, and no treatment is required. It is a good way to find out if a fast stream causes the foam.
Holding your pee for too long is not recommended, and you should go to the bathroom whenever you feel the urge to urinate. This accumulation will eventually increase the risk of UTIs and kidney stones.
When should I be worried about foamy urine?
Bacteria can also produce foam in the urine. But bacteria are common in the urine, and the bladder will normally flush it away throughout the day. It is not an indication of an infection.
But enough bacteria can be. If their number is higher, the bladder will have difficulty functioning properly. Other symptoms can appear with this problem, such as burning when you pee and a sudden urgent need to urinate.
Sexually transmitted diseases can cause frothy bladder discharge, affecting the urine and making it foamy. The kidneys are our filtering system that keeps all the necessary proteins and important nutrients in the bloodstream.
You should be worried if it appears to be foamy more often than usual. It is a sign of kidney failure, indicating that proteins and nutrients are easily passed through their filter and end up in the urine. That is why it can become bubbly and foamy.
Diabetes and high blood pressure can also manifest through these symptoms. You must contact a doctor and get tested whenever you notice it for a prolonged time. They will be able to set a diagnosis based on the test results and also give you the necessary treatment for a fast recovery.
How do I get rid of bubbles in my urine?
While bubbles in the urine can be a symptom of many problems, it is important to get specific and identify yours. A doctor will help you with an accurate diagnosis. Most likely, they will also give you recovery advice.
If the problem is related to your kidneys, there are a couple of natural home remedies you can apply. They are:
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Reduce stress levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Add onions and garlic to your meals.
- Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Lean meats are better than red meat.
- Eat more fish.
- Reduce salt intake.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid soda.
- Exercise regularly.
But foaming can also be a symptom of dehydration. In that case, drinking water regularly will help with this problem. If the problem still doesn’t go away, doctors will help you. They want to reduce the protein concentration in your urine, and this is done by lowering blood pressure.
It will help the kidneys filter blood more efficiently and keep the proteins in the bloodstream. For diabetic people, their treatment will also control the symptoms related to this condition.
You can also adopt some lifestyle changes to help you with this problem. If you are smoking daily, consider quitting or reducing the frequency. You should drink more water and eat fruits and vegetables more often.
Improving sleeping habits and maintaining a healthy weight are always beneficial, as well as increasing daily activity and limiting alcohol. All these solutions will get rid of your problem and accelerate your system, allowing it to heal better.
FAQ
Does foamy urine mean kidney failure?
Most people will worry when they notice foam or bubbles in their urine. Especially if it is something new, this symptom can create lots of stress. Fortunately, this effect occurs from natural reasons such as the high speed of the endeavor.
But if this foam is generated frequently, then kidney failure is something you should consider as a possible cause. Naturally, the effect should not occur often. You should seek the help of a doctor when you notice foam frequently after some time.
How much foamy urine is normal?
Once in a while, urine can foam up briefly. It happens due to the speed of the stream, which is higher when you have a full bladder. But if this effect persists over time, it can also be a sign of disease.
You should look for other symptoms when you notice this problem. You could have a medical problem if you also notice:
- swelling in your hands, feet, face, and abdomen
- fatigue
- a loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- trouble sleeping
- changes in the amount of pee
- cloudy pee
- darker-colored pee
What is the difference between bubbles and foam in urine?
While there is no significant difference between bubbles and foam, there are some things you should look for. Firstly, bubbles will always be bigger and clear. They are also flushable and will be removed after you flush the toilet.
On the other hand, foam is white and can stay in the toilet even after you flush. It clearly indicates that something is wrong with your kidneys, and you should not ignore this symptom.
