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Life Tips 08/07/2025 01:30

If your urine has bubbles , it could be a sign of these conditions, according to doctors

Persistent foamy urine may indicate health problems, while occasional bubbles are typically harmless and can be addressed with proper hydration. Dr. Shirley Koeh recommends that if the bubbles continue even after drinking more water and urinating frequent
Your urine can offer valuable clues about what’s going on inside your body. While you might not think much about it, noticing foam or bubbles in your pee could be worth paying attention to.
Foamy or bubbly urine is not uncommon and often isn't a cause for concern. However, in some cases, it could signal an underlying health issue. So how can you tell the difference between a harmless occurrence and a sign of something more serious?
Dr. Shirley Koeh, a functional medicine physician based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, shared insights on Instagram to help people better understand when bubbly urine is just a passing event — and when it may warrant medical attention.
Is Foamy Urine Normal?
According to Dr. Koeh, bubbles in your urine can happen for a variety of reasons, many of which are not alarming. The key factor is how often it happens.
“If you notice bubbles in your urine, the first question to ask is whether it’s a one-time thing,” she explained. “If this is just the first or only episode, it’s likely not a problem.”
She advised that for a single instance of bubbly urine, you should focus on hydration. “Drink plenty of water, avoid holding in your urine, and urinate frequently. If it’s nothing serious, the bubbles should disappear on their own.”
When to Be Concerned
However, if the bubbles persist or appear consistently, that could point to something more significant. “If you regularly see bubbles in your urine, it might suggest the presence of protein in your urine,” Dr. Koeh warned.
Testing for Protein in the Urine
If increasing your fluid intake doesn’t solve the issue, it’s time to consider some tests. Dr. Koeh highlighted two options for checking for protein in your urine:

  1. Lab Test for Microalbumin:
    The most reliable method is to have your urine analyzed at a lab to detect microalbumin — a small protein that can show up in the urine when kidney function is compromised.

  2. Urine Dipstick Test:
    You can also use a urine dipstick test at home. “This test is convenient but may not be as sensitive or accurate as lab testing,” she noted.

Finding protein in the urine — a condition known as proteinuria or albuminuria — is a red flag that needs further investigation.
What Causes Protein in Urine?
If tests confirm proteinuria, the next step is to explore the possible reasons behind it. Dr. Koeh outlined a few major causes:

  • High Blood Pressure (Hypertension):
    Elevated blood pressure can put stress on your kidneys, leading them to leak protein into your urine.

  • Diabetes:
    High blood sugar levels can damage kidney tissues over time, which is one of the most common causes of protein leakage.

  • Kidney Damage from Medications:
    Certain prescription drugs can affect kidney function and lead to proteinuria, a condition known as drug-induced kidney damage.

“It’s important to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and to assess whether any medications you're taking might be impacting your kidney health,” Dr. Koeh advised.

Final Thoughts
While seeing bubbles in your urine once in a while may not be a cause for panic, frequent or persistent foamy urine shouldn't be ignored. Staying well-hydrated, checking for signs of protein, and consulting with a healthcare provider can help you rule out more serious issues and maintain your kidney health.

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