What is the difference between bubbles and foam in urine

It comes from your kidneys, which are two bean-shaped organs located below your rib cage one on each side of your spine. Every day, your kidneys filter up to quarts of blood and make about one to two quarts of urine, the NIDDK says. Consistently high levels of protein in your urine are a sign that something is allowing your kidneys to leak more protein into your pee than they should. Diabetes and high blood pressure are two major causes of this, Dr.

Ramin says. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can induce high blood sugar that harms blood vessels in your kidneys, making it hard for them to function properly, according to the NIDDK. As a result, too much protein might wind up in your pee. There are many other health conditions that can cause frequent proteinuria, according to the Mayo Clinic , like pregnancy, preeclampsia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus , heart disease, and sickle cell anemia.

Soap contains these surfactants. However, several medical conditions can also result in bubbly or foamy urine. The sections below will look at some of these conditions in more detail. If a person is dehydrated, their urine may appear darker and more concentrated than usual. This is because they are not drinking enough clear fluids to dilute the other substances, such as protein, in the urine.

Proteins have surfactant properties and, when present in larger quantities, may cause urine to foam upon passing, according to one review. If a person regularly experiences foamy urine, even when fully hydrated, it may be a symptom of proteinuria protein in urine.

This can be an early symptom of kidney disease. One vital function of the kidneys is to filter proteins in the blood. These proteins perform essential functions in the body, such as maintaining a balance of fluids. If a person has kidney damage or disease, proteins can leak from the kidneys into the urine, some analyses suggest. Albumin is a protein present in the blood. The presence of albumin in the urine is called albuminuria, or sometimes proteinuria, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

If a person has these symptoms and a family history of kidney disease, high blood pressure , or diabetes , they should contact a doctor for testing. Medical guidance states that diabetes and other causes of high blood sugar levels may result in higher levels of albumin passing through the kidneys.

This can result in foamy urine. Diabetic nephropathy is a complication associated with type 2 diabetes. It is due to changes in the structure and formation of the kidneys. This may result in proteinuria and, therefore, foamy urine. Why Is My Urine Foamy? Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, M. Symptoms Causes Risk factors Diagnosis Treatments Outlook Urine is normally pale yellow to dark amber in color and is also flat.

Find out what makes your urine foam up and what you should do about it if it happens. What other symptoms can occur with foamy urine? What are the causes of foamy urine? What are the risk factors? How is the cause of foamy urine diagnosed? How are the causes of foamy urine treated? Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M.

Excessive Urination Volume Polyuria. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Serum Protein Electrophoresis Test. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois.

Why Is My Urine Brown? Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. What to Know About Dehydration. A simple urine test can confirm if you have protein in your urine, and how much. Based on these test results, your medical history and a thorough exam, your physician may send you to a specialist for further testing and care, she says. It is important to note that foamy urine, when accompanied by swollen legs and swelling around the eyes, can indicate a serious medical condition, says Dr.

If you have all three of these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away. What medication to have on hand, how to store it, and how and when to get rid of it. When to Call Your Physician Your urine can be a window into your health. What Causes Foamy Urine Foamy urine is a sign of protein in the urine, which is not normal.