Cloudy Urine: 8 Causes and What it Means

The normal color of urine ranges from pale yellow to deep amber due to a pigment called urochrome and the degree to which the pee is diluted or concentrated. It’s important to know that pigments and other substances in some foods and medications can alter the color of your urine.

What does cloudy urine indicate?

There are numerous causes of cloudy urine, including infection and dehydration. Here are some potential causes of hazy urine and what you may do about it.

Dehydration

Urine that is cloudy, especially if it is dark, may suggest that a person is dehydrated. Most of the times, young and elderly people are more susceptible to dehydration.

Those who engage in rigorous activity or physical labor during hot days may be more vulnerable to dehydration if they do not drink enough water.Dehydration can induce cloudy urine as well as the following symptoms in some individuals:

• Urine that is yellow or orange
• Weariness confusion or difficulty concentrating dizziness
• Dry eyes and a dry mouth with a feeling of severe thirst
• Less frequent urination
• More severe signs of extreme dehydration include confusion, loss of consciousness, and bloody or black feaces. Seek immediate medical attention for extreme dehydration.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are characterized by cloudy urine. In an infected urinary system, germs build in the urine, giving it a murky appearance. UTIs are extremely common and can affect anyone. UTIs are connected with an enlarged prostate in males, particularly as they age, although larger prostates do not produce murky urine.In addition to murky urine, other signs of a urinary tract infection include:

• Urine exhibits a reddish hue.
• Urinating causes pain
• Smelling urine
• Back and lower abdominal pain
• Frequent urination
• Fever, fatigue, and trembling

Vaginitis

This is the inflammation of the vagina, and it can cause cloudy urine, abnormal vaginal discharge, an unpleasant odor, vaginal itching, and perhaps pain during sex.

can also be caused by an allergic reaction to some irritants and chemicals in personal care items, such as soaps and scented feminine products. Consult a doctor if you suspect you have vaginitis; they will likely prescribe you an antibiotic or antifungal medicine, and symptoms should subside within a week or two.

Kidney Infection

Numerous kidney infections begin as UTIs, then spread and worsen due to a lack of adequate treatment.

Kidney infections induce similar symptoms to UTIs and may also cause the following:

• Lethargy
• Fever
• Chills
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the back, side, or groin

Kidney infections requires immediate medical attention. Without immediate treatment, the infections can become severe and life threatening.

Foods and Medicines

Some foods and drugs that cause dark yellow or orange urine might produce the appearance of cloudiness. These foods include carrots, spinach, broccoli, and other fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin B and carotene.

Certain drugs can also induce cloudy urine, including:

• Laxative
• Rifampin is a medication used to treat tuberculosis.
• Phenazopyridine
• Warfarin is a medication used to treat blood clots.

Note: Urinee abnormalities caused by diet or medicine are typically harmless, should resolve within a day, and do not require treatment.

Chlamydia

You can get cloudy urine due to ignoring safe sexual behaviour, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) may cause your urine to be cloudy. Specifically, chlamydia can cause urine to be hazy. In addition to cloudy urine, chlamydia can cause abnormal discharge, urinary pain, genital itching, and fever, among other symptoms.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate, or prostatitis, may also contribute to murky urine. Research shows that between 10 and 15 percent of American guys suffer from prostatitis. It is often the result of prostate infection.

Diabetes (Both Type 1 and 2)

Those with diabetes may have urine cloudiness for a variety of reasons. Your kidneys must digest extra blood sugar, which can lead to dehydration and cloudy urine.

In addition to murky urine, diabetes symptoms frequently include:

1. Undergoing frequent urination
2. Frequently feeling thirsty or hungry
3. Fatigue
4. Unclear vision

Approximately one-quarter of persons with diabetes will develop kidney disease. If you have diabetes, your physician may perform frequent urine tests to detect albumin, a protein that may suggest kidney impairment.

Other Causes Of Cloudy Urine

Cloudy urine may also result from;

• Enlargement of the prostate, a tiny gland located between the bladder and the penis, can cause impotence.
• Presence of sperm or ejaculate in your pee
• Protein in your urine as a result of kidney illness, fever, or rigorous exercise.
• Blood in your pee as a result of another infection
• Menstrual blood mixed with pee
• Cancer of the prostate, which can produce bloody urine

Summary

Cloudy urine can be as a result of several factors or conditions, though some are harmless, while others necessitate medical care.

It is advised to seek medical attention and do urinalysis, if you cannot trace the change in your urine color to any of the harmless reasons mentioned above. Especially if it has lasted for a couple of days.