However, according to MSc.BS. CKI Tran Quoc Phong - Head of Urology Unit, An Binh Hospital, urine with foam is just an observed manifestation, not necessarily synonymous with having the disease.
In many cases, foam appears due to strong urine flow hitting the toilet wall, concentrated urine due to drinking little water, exercising a lot, or due to cleaning chemicals remaining in the toilet. Large, rapidly dissolving, and only occasionally appearing air bubbles are usually not worrisome.
However, people need to pay attention if urine appears with a lot of small, thick, slow-release foam and repeats in most urinations. In particular, this condition accompanied by signs such as leg edema, facial edema, high blood pressure, little urination or rapid weight gain may be related to kidney disease.
MSc.BS. CKI Tran Quoc Phong said that when the glomeruloneph, the organ that functions to filter blood of the kidney, is damaged, protein in the blood may leak into the urine. The presence of protein changes the properties of the urine, causing more foam to appear and last longer. However, just observing with the naked eye cannot accurately determine whether there is protein in the urine or not, but professional tests are needed.
People should see a doctor if the condition of foaming urine lasts for many days or is accompanied by symptoms such as edema, high blood pressure, bloody urine, abnormally frequent nighttime urination, fatigue, loss of appetite or nausea. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus or family history of kidney disease also need to pay special attention.
To assess kidney function, doctors often prescribe blood creatinine tests, measure glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin/creatinineuria ratio tests to detect kidney damage early. In addition, patients may be prescribed additional urine, blood sugar or urinary system ultrasound tests depending on the case.
According to experts, if urine foam is related to proteinuria, proper treatment can help reduce protein in urine and improve symptoms. However, the more important goal is to protect kidney function, prevent complications and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in the long term.
