Healthy people will see bubbles in the toilet when they urinate with “some applied force,” Su said, but “the frothy bubbles should recede in about 10 to 20 minutes. Urine, when collected in a sample tube, should be in clear liquid form.”
Causes of Bubbles in Urine
A full bladder can lead to a forceful urine stream producing bubbles. Residue in a toilet bowl from soaps and cleaning products can also be culprits. Bubbles tend to be big and clear. They disappear when flushed away and are generally no cause for alarm.
Passing foamy urine now and then is normal, for the speed of urination and other factors can influence this. But you should see your doctor if you have persistently foamy urine that becomes more noticeable over time. This can be a sign of protein in your urine (proteinuria), which requires further evaluation.
The presence of foam or bubbles in your urine is not an immediate cause for concern if it happens occasionally. A simple explanation for what you're seeing is a high speed of urination. However, if you notice foam in your urine frequently, you should take it seriously and contact your doctor.
Historically, persistent foamy urine noticed upon voiding is considered a warning sign of kidney disease. Foamy urine is characterized by the appearance and persistence of multiple layers of small to medium bubbles in urine voided into a container, such as a toilet bowl (see Figure 1).
While bubbles are clear, foam is more of an opaque shade of white. And foamy urine is often a sign that there is protein in your urine, according to Northwestern Medicine. That could indicate that your kidneys are not functioning properly because they're responsible for filtering and keeping protein in your body.
“If your urine is very concentrated, a small amount of protein may seem like a lot.” Other factors that can allow extra protein to slip by your kidneys' filters include stress, fever, intense exercise, and even exposure to extreme cold, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The treatment options for foamy urine depend on the underlying cause. If a person is dehydrated, they should drink more clear fluids until the urine is pale yellow or nearly transparent. If diabetes is the underlying cause, a doctor may prescribe oral medications or insulin injections to reduce blood sugar levels.
Proteinuria is high levels of protein in your pee. If you have proteinuria, you may have to pee more often, and your pee may be foamy or bubbly. You may have general feelings of illness, including nausea, vomiting, tiredness and swelling.
What Causes Foamy Urine. Foamy urine is a sign of protein in the urine, which is not normal. “Kidneys filter the protein, but should keep it in the body,” explains Dr. Ghossein. If kidneys are releasing protein into the urine, they are not working properly.
When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.
However, you should avoid foods that are high in potassium and magnesium, if you are have been diagnosed with Proteinuria. Foods that are high in potassium include most fresh fruits and vegetables. Some specific examples include: Oranges and orange juice.
Long-standing diabetes causes diabetes-related nephropathy. Symptoms don't appear until later stages, but they include swelling, peeing more often, foamy pee, nausea and fatigue. Treatment includes managing your diabetes and blood pressure.
Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include: High blood pressure. Swelling in your hands or feet. Urinary tract infections.
Blood Tests. Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed.
Some of the most common kidney pain symptoms include: A constant, dull ache in your back. Pain in your sides, under your rib cage or in your abdomen. Severe or sharp pain that comes in waves.
Normally, we shouldn't lose more than 150 mg of protein in 24 hours. While foamy urine is usually nothing to worry about, it could mean that you're spilling too much protein.
Multiple myeloma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the plasma cells of blood, and can lead to extra protein in the urine, causing it to look foamy. It is most common in people over 65 and twice as common in African Americans.
Historically, persistent foamy urine noticed upon voiding is considered a warning sign of kidney disease. Foamy urine is characterized by the appearance and persistence of multiple layers of small to medium bubbles in urine voided into a container, such as a toilet bowl (see Figure 1).
While you cannot physically see protein in your urine without a urine test, you may have other symptoms that signal kidney disease: Difficulty going to the bathroom. Exhaustion.
What Treatment Follows Protein in the Urine? Protein from an infection or fever will most likely resolve on its own. If your doctor confirms that you have kidney disease, a treatment plan will be put together.