Everyday our body performs various metabolic activities. Cellular metabolism generates different toxic by-products that require elimination from the bloodstream. Most excretory products are rich in nitrogen and can cause harm to the body if they stay in the blood for a long time. These harmful metabolic by-products are expelled from the body in the form of urine. Urine generally appears clear to dark amber in color. However, in certain health conditions the urine may appear cloudy. Altered urine color indicates that there is something not right in the body. By getting a routine urine culture done, pathologists can understand if it is a manifestation of any serious disease. If you are having cloudy urine lately, pain while discharging it, burning sensation during discharge, or if there is foul smell in your urine, it could mean that you might be suffering from urinary tract infection or other serious health problems. It is therefore imperative that you consult your physician or a nephrologist at the earliest to get the condition diagnosed and treated. To know more about the common causes of cloudy urine, read through the section to follow.
Cloudy Urine Causes
Dehydration
One of the most common causes for cloudy urine is dehydration. If the water intake is less than normal, the urine appears dark and concentrated. If you are not drinking enough water during the summer months, appearance of cloudy urine is not uncommon. The symptom goes away easily with proper intake of water. However, if the condition still persists, it is always advisable to consult a general practitioner.
Infection
A urinary tract infection is another probable cause of appearance of cloudy urine. The urine appears cloudy as white blood cells enter the urine to fight away the infection. Urinary tract infection is often accompanied with abdominal discomfort, fever, nausea, burning sensation during urination, and painful urination. If appearance of cloudy urine persists for a long time, consult your doctor without delay.
Side Effects Of Medicines
Those who are taking high dosages of Vitamin B complex or Vitamin C can experience cloudy urine. These vitamins are water soluble and are excreted through urine. Certain other medications can also temporarily turn the urine cloudy. However, the urine appears normal as soon as the medication is stopped. Many people who drink large quantities of milk daily may also have cloudy urine due to the presence of phosphates in the urine.
Vaginal/Prostate Infection
Women suffering from vaginal or cervical infection can experience cloudy urine. The white blood cells may appear in the urine from the vagina and turn the urine cloudy. In men, a prostrate infection can lead to appearance of cloudy urine.
Kidney Stones
Patients suffering from kidney stones can experience cloudy urine. However, such patients might also suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, back and groin pain.
Kidney Infection
Patients who suffer from ‘proteinuria’, a condition of the kidneys in which protein appears in the urine, can complain of cloudy urine. Physicians often recommend urinalysis which is a test done to check for the presence of protein in urine.
Food And Alcohol
Consuming too much alcohol can make your urine turn cloudy. Cloudiness of the urine also depends of the type of food consumed. While raw vegetables and fruits are associated with clear urine, people who consume more meat and spicy food tend to have cloudy urine.
Other Common Causes Of Cloudy Urine
Cloudy Urine Causes
Dehydration
One of the most common causes for cloudy urine is dehydration. If the water intake is less than normal, the urine appears dark and concentrated. If you are not drinking enough water during the summer months, appearance of cloudy urine is not uncommon. The symptom goes away easily with proper intake of water. However, if the condition still persists, it is always advisable to consult a general practitioner.
Infection
A urinary tract infection is another probable cause of appearance of cloudy urine. The urine appears cloudy as white blood cells enter the urine to fight away the infection. Urinary tract infection is often accompanied with abdominal discomfort, fever, nausea, burning sensation during urination, and painful urination. If appearance of cloudy urine persists for a long time, consult your doctor without delay.
Side Effects Of Medicines
Those who are taking high dosages of Vitamin B complex or Vitamin C can experience cloudy urine. These vitamins are water soluble and are excreted through urine. Certain other medications can also temporarily turn the urine cloudy. However, the urine appears normal as soon as the medication is stopped. Many people who drink large quantities of milk daily may also have cloudy urine due to the presence of phosphates in the urine.
Vaginal/Prostate Infection
Women suffering from vaginal or cervical infection can experience cloudy urine. The white blood cells may appear in the urine from the vagina and turn the urine cloudy. In men, a prostrate infection can lead to appearance of cloudy urine.
Kidney Stones
Patients suffering from kidney stones can experience cloudy urine. However, such patients might also suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, back and groin pain.
Kidney Infection
Patients who suffer from ‘proteinuria’, a condition of the kidneys in which protein appears in the urine, can complain of cloudy urine. Physicians often recommend urinalysis which is a test done to check for the presence of protein in urine.
Food And Alcohol
Consuming too much alcohol can make your urine turn cloudy. Cloudiness of the urine also depends of the type of food consumed. While raw vegetables and fruits are associated with clear urine, people who consume more meat and spicy food tend to have cloudy urine.
Other Common Causes Of Cloudy Urine
- Bilharzia
- Acute pyelonephritis
- Acute prostatitis
- Chemical poisoning with phenol
- Gonorrhea
- Glomerulonephritis
- Nephritis
- Torulopsis
