Intimate Urin Can Be A Sign Of Kidney Disorders, When Should You Check?

Illustasi urination. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - If you see foam in your throat after urinating, it's quite natural to be worried. Cybele Ghossein, MD, a nephrologist from Northwestern Medicine who focuses on kidney disease explains the cause of foamy urine and when you need to consult a doctor.

Understanding normal urine conditions can help you recognize early signs of problems. In general, normal urine is clear yellow, does not contain blood, and does not foam.

Most people do see bubbles when urinating, and that's normal. But it's important to differentiate between ordinary bubbles and foams.

According to Dr. Ghossein, bubbles are larger in size, clear, and disappear immediately when watered. While the foam is white, more concentrated, and remains on the surface of the water even though it has been doused. He said this foam often looks like foam when pouring beer.

The most serious cause of foam urine is excessive protein content in urine, a condition known as proteinuria.

"Trick is supposed to filter the protein but keep it in the body," explains Dr. Ghossein, quoted from the Northwestern Medicine page.

"If the protein comes out with urine, it means the kidney function is not going well," he added.

Proteinuria can be caused by diseases that directly attack the kidneys, such as lupus or diabetes, but can also arise due to other health problems that affect the body's organs other than the kidneys.

Not all foamy urines indicate serious conditions, but knowing when to check them is very important.

If you look at foam in your urine, Dr. Ghossein suggests consulting a general practitioner. Simple urine tests can show if there are protein in urine and how much. Based on test results, medical history, and examination, doctors may refer you to a kidney specialist (nephrologist) for further examination.

What needs to be watched out for is if the urine foams accompanied by swelling in the legs and swelling or bags around the eyes. The combination of these three symptoms can be a sign of serious kidney disease. Doctors usually refer to these swellings as an edema. If you experience these symptoms, immediately seek medical help.

Illustration of man urinating (Photo: Freepik/jcomp)