Waste products of metabolism are excreted from the body by the kidneys
through the urine. The urine contains wastes that have been filtered from the
blood by the kidneys, and the resulting solution is a pale, straw yellow, or
amber-colored liquid that comes out of the body through the urethra. Urine
contains water, uric acid, urea, inorganic salts, ammonia, and blood pigments
that have been broken down.
Causes of Abnormal Foamy Urine
1. Proteinuria
This condition results in excess protein being excreted in the urine and can
cause foamy urine. A small amount is normally present in urine, but large
amounts of protein in the urine are abnormal and termed proteinuria. This can
occur after extremely intense exercise, excessive dietary intake or
supplementation of protein and in diseases that damage the kidneys. Untreated
high blood pressure and diabetes are the two most common medical conditions that
damage the kidneys filtering ability and cause proteinuria. These conditions
require the evaluation and care of a doctor.
Other risk factors for proteinuria include trauma, toxins, infections,
medications and diseases such as multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. Obese
persons, those over age over 65, family history, pregnancy and certain races and
ethnic groups have a higher likelihood of developing proteinuria.
Treatment is aimed at treating the underlying cause. Proper management of
diabetes and blood pressure, weight loss and removal of offending medications
are all effective in treating proteinuria. The addition of an ACE inhibiotor or
angiotensin receptor blockers is helpful for proteinuria in diabetic patients
and can help protect the kidney's ability to filter the blood.
2. Proteinuria or Preeclampsia during Pregnancy
Proteinuria in pregnancy can herald the development of a serious problem
called eclampsia. The condition is progressive and causes leg swelling,
proteinuria, elevated blood pressure and headaches. This is termed preeclampsia.
This often starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy and blood pressure rises above
140/90. As the condition progresses, all the symptoms and proteinuria worsen,
abdominal pain can occur as well as vision changes. Severe cases result in
marked elevation of blood pressure and can result in seizures or bleeding into
the brain. Without medical treatment, eclampsia can be fatal to the mother and
unborn baby.
Any pregnant patient with a severe headache, blurred vision, abdominal pain
or blood pressure elevation needs to see a doctor immediately or go to the
emergency room.
3. Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection (UTI) and bladder infection are synonymous. As
bacteria enter the bladder and multiply, infectious symptoms occur such as
burning with urination, frequency and urgency, foamy appearing urine and
sometimes bloody looking urine.
See a doctor when these symptoms develop or persist, nausea or vomiting are
present, or if a fever occurs. Severe abdominal pain or back pain can signify a
more serious infection and require immediate medical attention. The doctor will
determine if an infection (UTI) is the cause of your symptoms and prescribe an
antibiotic. Other medications can relieve the pain and unpleasant symptoms while
the antibiotic kills off the infection.
4. Vesicocolic Fistula
This condition occurs when an abnormal connection develops between the
bladder and colon. This allows air, gas and bacteria to travel into the bladder.
The result is foamy urine and frequent infections. This causes the same type of
symptoms as a UTI. Vesicocolic fistulas occur due to surgical complications,
tumors or inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease. Diagnosis requires
specialized imaging tests or visualization with a small camera placed through
the urethra into the bladder to locate the abnormal communication. Treatment
consists of treating any infections and closing off the abnormal communication
through surgical or radiologic procedures.
5. Kidney Problem
The kidneys provide essential filtration of the blood and produce urine as a
byproduct of that process. Any disease or condition that affects the kidneys can
result in foamy urine and proteinuria. Common culprits include diabetes, high
blood pressure, kidney stones, frequent kidney infections, trauma, certain
medications and illicit drug use.
Signs and symptoms of kidney problems can include leg swelling, fatigue,
nausea, anorexia, back pain and weakness. Foamy urine, bloody urine or a
consistently abnormal color or odor to the urine all signal a problem and
deserve medical evaluation.
Diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a doctor and can include blood
tests to measure kidney function and filtration rate, electrolyte levels, blood
pressure assessment and a comprehensive urinalysis.
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