Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood Pexels Logo Photo: Suzy Hazelwood

Can anxiety cause foamy urine?

Foamy urine can occur if you have high protein levels in your urine, which could result from kidney disease. Other things — such as pregnancy, stress, or a urinary tract infection — may also cause foamy urine.

Why is my lower pooch so big?
Why is my lower pooch so big?

If there is a lack of co-contraction between the pelvic floor and deep abdominals, the pelvic floor may descend, and the lower abdomen may bulge...

Read More »
How do you shred fat?
How do you shred fat?

The 14 Best Ways to Burn Fat Fast START STRENGTH TRAINING. ... FOLLOW A HIGH-PROTEIN DIET. ... SQUEEZE IN MORE SLEEP. ... ADD VINEGAR TO YOUR DIET....

Read More »

While urine may occasionally be bubbly, foamy urine has many layers of bubbles in it, many of which will not disappear. Layers of foam in your urine can be a symptom of kidney disease or protein in the urine. There may also be other benign reasons why your urine appears foamy, such as if the toilet has a cleaning solution in it. However, if you experience bubbles in your urine with other symptoms like swelling or numbness in your extremities, talk with your doctor.

What is foamy urine?

Giada Canu/Stocksy United

As a 2019 research review explained, foamy urine is different from a few bubbles in urine. Foamy urine will have multiple layers of bubbles, and many of the bubbles will not disappear. In a technical sense, gas becoming trapped in the water and forming bubbles causes foamy urine. Urine typically has a few bubbles in it from time to time. Bubbles can appear based on how much urine you pass, the force of the urine entering the toilet bowl, and even if there are any other substances in the toilet. For instance, if the toilet bowl contains a cleaning solution, the urine mixing with it could cause some bubbles. A few bubbles in a single layer that disappear quickly are generally not a cause for concern.

What are the causes of foamy urine?

Foamy urine can be an early symptom of kidney disease. The foam results from high levels of protein in the urine, known as proteinuria. If the kidneys are not working properly and cannot keep protein in the body, the protein passes out through urine.

There are other factors that can cause proteinuria. These factors include:

stress

dehydration

diabetes

pregnancy

strenuous exercise

high blood pressure

urinary tract infection

fever

vaginal discharge

A type of kidney disease called glomerulonephritis may also cause some cases of proteinuria. Glomerulonephritis develops when the part of your kidney that filters your blood — called the glomerulus — experiences inflammation and damage. Sometimes, foamy urine has no clear cause. According to the 2019 research review above, only one-third of people who go to the doctor for foamy urine will actually have protein in their urine.

What other symptoms might occur with foamy urine?

Does phentermine make you sleepy?
Does phentermine make you sleepy?

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or have trouble in thinking or speaking. Make sure you know how you react to this...

Read More »
Why should I drink apple cider vinegar before bed?
Why should I drink apple cider vinegar before bed?

Drinking apple cider vinegar at least 30 minutes before bed may lower your risk of indigestion or acid reflux after laying down. Enjoy it in other...

Read More »

If you have foamy urine resulting from kidney disease, you may experience other symptoms as well. These symptoms can include:

swollen eyelids, hands, and feet

dry or itchy skin

numbness in your hands

fatigue

changes in how often you urinate

blood in your urine

weight loss

decrease in appetite

muscle cramping

nausea or vomiting

difficulty sleeping

brain fog

shortness of breath

Most symptoms of kidney disease do not happen until the late stages of the disease, so you may not experience symptoms early on. You may also be more at risk of kidney disease if you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, long-term or have:

family history of kidney disease

type 1 or type 2 diabetes

high blood pressure

heart disease

How do doctors diagnose foamy urine?

To diagnose foamy urine, doctors will typically order a urine test.

When you visit your doctor, they will ask you to provide a urine sample. You will clean your genitals with a cleaning wipe they provide, urinate for a few seconds, then urinate into the specimen cup they provide. This is called a “clean catch” sample and helps reduce the number of bacteria from an external source. Then, the doctor will use a simple dipstick to test for protein in your urine. The urine dipstick will also identify if there is high sugar in your urine. In some situations, your doctor may also order a 24-hour urine test. This will require you to collect all the urine you pass in a 24-hour period. Your doctor will provide the supplies for this test. Your doctor may also order additional testing depending on what the urine test reveals. This may involve blood tests or imaging tests to assess your kidneys. In rare cases where your doctor suspects kidney disease, they may also order a kidney biopsy.

What are the treatments for foamy urine?

The treatment for foamy urine will depend on the cause. If you do not have protein in your urine, your doctor may suggest making some changes — such as eating less protein or drinking more water — to see if the amount of foam in your urine decreases. If you have protein in your urine, treatment will focus on what is causing the protein to build up. For diabetes or hypertension, your doctor may recommend medication changes to help manage your condition more effectively. You may also need to lower the amount of protein and salt in your diet.

What body parts are toned by walking?
What body parts are toned by walking?

Along with its many health benefits, walking also exercises several different muscles. The primary muscles used in walking include the quadriceps...

Read More »
How long does it take to naturally shrink your stomach?
How long does it take to naturally shrink your stomach?

If you have a big meal, your stomach doesn't magically get bigger and stay that way—it shrinks back down to its previous size in about four hours...

Read More »

Kidney disease treatment will depend on the type and stage of the disease. For example, treatment for glomerulonephritis may include dialysis, medications, or dietary changes.

What is the outlook for people with foamy urine?

The outlook for people with foamy urine will depend on the cause. You can easily treat or avoid some factors that cause foamy urine, like heavy exercise or dehydration. According to researchers, untreated proteinuria can eventually lead to kidney failure. The more protein you have in your urine, the higher the risk of kidney problems. Regardless of the cause, getting treatment promptly for foamy urine can improve your outlook.

sudden, very foamy urine

severe changes in how much or how little you urinate

blood in your urine

pain with urination

sensation that you cannot fully empty your bladder

fever

Summary

Foamy urine is urine with many layers of bubbles that do not disappear. A few bubbles in a single layer in your urine are usually not cause for concern. Foamy urine can occur if you have high protein levels in your urine, which could result from kidney disease. Other things — such as pregnancy, stress, or a urinary tract infection — may also cause foamy urine. Doctors typically diagnose the cause of foamy urine with a urine test. Treatment will depend on the cause, but may include medications or dietary changes. Talk with your doctor if you experience foamy urine, especially if you also have other symptoms.

What age does body fat peak?
What age does body fat peak?

“Obesity incidence starts increasing in one's twenties and peaks at 40 to 59, and then decreases slightly after age 60,” says Craig Primack, MD, an...

Read More »
Why is there a shortage of Ozempic?
Why is there a shortage of Ozempic?

Doctors' off-label prescribing of diabetes drugs such as Ozempic and Trulicity for weight loss has led to a shortage of the medications for...

Read More »
What is the best weight loss injectable?
What is the best weight loss injectable?

What is the best weight loss injection? Based on the evidence above, when comparing one to another, Saxenda comes out on top for us. It's the...

Read More »
Can liver go back to normal?
Can liver go back to normal?

The liver is very resilient and capable of regenerating itself. Each time your liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die. The liver can...

Read More »