Cloudy urine can result from a variety of medical conditions, ranging in severity from minor problems to more serious situations. These problems can range from dehydration to urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, kidney stones, diabetes and other disorders.
Sometimes cloudy urine reflects an increased presence of protein, crystals, blood, pus or other chemicals in the urine. Medical professionals use different terms to describe this type of cloudy urine, such as “milky white urine,” “foamy urine,” “cloudy urine,” or “albinuria.”
Dehydration is a particularly significant risk for the young and elderly. It can also occur in hot weather situations, during intense exercise, after episodes of vomiting, diarrhoea or fever. In addition to cloudy urine, symptoms of dehydration can include:
- Orina de color oscuro.
- Dark coloured urine.
- Less frequent urination.
- Fatigue.
- Persistent feeling of thirst.
- Confusion.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
If you experience diarrhoea, disorientation, vomiting, or bloody or black stools, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for dehydration. For mild to moderate dehydration, treatment usually involves increasing fluid intake, such as water. However, in severe cases, it may be necessary to receive intravenous (IV) fluids in a medical setting, in addition to oral rehydration.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause an increase in the presence of blood or pus in the urine, which can lead to clouding of the urine. UTIs can affect both men and women and occur when bacteria enter the urine and travel into the bladder. Women are at higher risk of UTIs. In addition to cloudy urine, common symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pelvic pain.
- Constant need to urinate.
- Burning during urination
- Difficulty urinating in large amounts.
Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics for several days, although more complicated infections may require initial treatment with intravenous antibiotics, followed by several weeks of oral antibiotics.
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which in turn can lead to an increase in the number of white blood cells in the urine, causing it to become cloudy. In addition to cloudy urine, symptoms of STIs may include:
- Dolor o frecuencia al orinar.
- Painful or frequent urination
- Itching or redness of the genitals.
- Abnormal discharge from the penis or vagina.
- Genital lesions or warts
- Vaginal odour
- Abdominal pain
Some STIs may not have obvious symptoms, so it is important to talk to a doctor and consider testing if an STI is suspected.
The formation of kidney stones can result in the release of a high concentration of minerals into the urine, which can cause it to become cloudy. Although many kidney stones pass naturally, in some cases they can cause severe pain and obstruct the flow of urine. In addition to cloudy urine, symptoms of kidney stones may include:
- Dolor en la parte posterior o lateral.
- Pain in the back or side.
- Fever and chills
- Vomiting
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Foul odour in the urine
- Burning during urination
For kidney stones that do not pass on their own, there are several treatment options, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or even surgery, depending on the situation.
People with diabetes may experience cloudy urine for a variety of reasons. The kidneys may be affected by having to process excess sugar in the blood, which can lead to dehydration and cloudy urine. In addition to cloudy urine, typical symptoms of diabetes may include:
- Frequent urination.
- Frequent thirst and hunger.
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
Approximately one in four people with diabetes will experience kidney disease, so it is essential that diabetic patients undergo regular urine testing for the presence of albumin, a protein that can indicate kidney damage.
Prostate-related conditions, such as prostatitis, can lead to the release of white blood cells, pus or secretions in the urine, which can cause turbidity. Other signs of prostate problems may include:
- Frequent urination or painful urination.
- Blood in the urine
- Burning when urinating
- Pain in the back, hips or pelvic area.
- Painful ejaculation
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for a prostate examination and to have urine and blood samples tested.
Vaginitis, an infection of the vagina caused by yeast, trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis, can also result in cloudy urine due to an increase in the number of white blood cells or other secretions that can cloud the urine. Additional symptoms of vaginitis include:
- Pain when urinating.
- Vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal irritation
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Changes in the colour and odour of vaginal discharge.
Treatment of vaginitis depends on its cause and may include the prescription of specific medications or creams.
For vaginitis, your doctor may perform a gynaecological examination, assess vaginal discharge and perform a vaginal pH test. Depending on the underlying cause of vaginitis, our doctor may prescribe specific treatments, such as medications or creams.
On the other hand, your diet can also influence the appearance of your urine. Excessive consumption of milk, which contains calcium phosphate, can result in cloudy urine. High intakes of phosphorus-rich foods, such as meats and dairy products, or excessive intake of vitamin D can also cause urine to become cloudy.
