Here’s something important about pee: it’s good, sometimes, to take a look at the toilet after relieving yourself. Usually, it will be clear and yellow, just as it should be. But what about when you make cloudy pee?
+ Know 10 signs that you are pregnant besides a missed period
+ Cramp: Condition may intensify on hot days; learn how to prevent it
+ Cold showers can bring health benefits; understand the practice
+ 4 Zodiac Signs that are Cold as Ice
First of all, I know I say this all the time, but don’t go crazy. Even though making cloudy pee is a sign that something is wrong, it probably won’t be anything serious.
“There are several reasons why urine can be a bit cloudy,” says Hajar Ayoub, urologist at UT Health and UT Physicians (USA). Take stock of the possible reasons listed below and, if you don’t notice any improvement, it might be time to visit a doctor.
1. You’re not drinking enough water
“Dehydration is a common cause of cloudy urine,” says Ayoub. Ah, it’s good to know that drinking more diet soda or iced coffee will not necessarily help you. “You need good old water!”, she says. That’s because any kind of caffeinated beverage can worsen dehydration.
“When we don’t drink enough water, the urine becomes more concentrated and crystallized,” Ayoub explains. “This will cause irritation in the bladder, which causes cloudy urine.”
2. You have a urinary tract infection
Yes, it seems to be women’s favorite problem, and that can make your pee look a bit “cloudy”. “Infections occur when bacteria infect any part of the urinary system (kidneys, bladder, and urethra). The urinary tract infection usually infects only the bladder or urethra. It can be caused by dehydration, constipation, or simply holding in pee,” Ayoub explains.
And it’s this bacteria that makes your pee look opaque: “The urine sediments, stagnates, and becomes a medium for the bacteria,” says Ayoub. A urinary tract infection can be treated with a round of antibiotics – and the sooner, the better.
3. You have something called vaginitis
“Vaginitis is basically inflammation of the vagina, and it can also cause cloudy urine. Other symptoms are abnormal vaginal discharge and an unpleasant odor, in addition to itching and even pain during sex,” says Ayoub.
This problem can also develop as a result of an allergic reaction to certain chemicals in personal care products, such as soaps or scented female cosmetics. If you think you may have vaginitis, see a doctor. They will likely prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal medication, and things should improve in a week or two.
4. You have an STD
“Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, also cause cloudy” pee, says Ayoub – especially in the early stages of infection. “These infections usually result in discharge that contaminates the urine,” she says.
But cloudy urine can also appear in more chronic stages of infections: “In this scenario, they also cause scarring in the urethra, which prevents the bladder from emptying and, therefore, results in cloudy urine,” explains Ayoub.
5. You have kidney stones
“When in motion, stones can cause small scratches that result in blood in the urine, which then appears as cloudiness,” says Ayoub. “If the stones contain bacteria, they can also cause a urinary tract infection. If they break apart, some pieces will make your urine appear cloudy.”
There’s nothing fun about kidney stones, so consult your doctor and ask for a quick way out.
6. Your urine may have blood
“Yes, blood is red, but if it appears microscopically in the urine, it can make your pee look more cloudy than pink,” says Ayoub.
“Cause of blood in the urine include STDs, kidney and bladder stones and – rarely – tumors of the urinary tract”. It’s important to note that not all cloudy pee contains blood, but you should test your urine and see a urologist to be sure.
7. You have chronic kidney disease
This is a progressive decline in the kidneys’ ability to perform one of their main functions: filter metabolic waste from the blood. “This can lead to protein excretion, which makes the urine appear cloudy,” points out Ayoub.
Other symptoms include nausea, fatigue, difficulty breathing, muscle cramps, and skin yellowing. Kidney damage is usually permanent, but treatment can help ease progression.
8. You have diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that develops when the glucose in your blood (sugar) is too high. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps regulate this sugar and uses it for energy. But when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it correctly, the sugar stays in the blood instead of going to other cells.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 occurs when the body isn’t making insulin, and type 2 (more common) occurs when the body isn’t responding properly to insulin.
According to Ayoub, both types can result in cloudy urine, “as they can cause sugar in the urine when levels are high in the blood.”
If you’ve been having cloudy urine for a long time – along with other common diabetes symptoms like frequent urination and being very thirsty – see your doctor!
