Cloudy urine may look opaque or be off-white in color in the toilet. Urine that’s cloudy can be harmless in some cases. It may be a sign of conditions like kidney stones or urinary tract infections (UTIs) in others, especially if it has a strong odor.
Everyone’s urine looks different, but it typically is yellow. Urine should ideally be on the paler yellow side and pretty translucent. Having urine that’s not clear may cause you concern.
Read on to learn about what causes cloudy urine and how to treat it:
CYSTITIS
Cystitis, or bladder inflammation, is a cause of cloudy urine.1 This inflammation occurs after bacterial infections of the bladder, due to the infection. You may also experience pee that has a strong odor and burning, painful urination. The most common symptoms of cystitis are urinary frequency and urgency. Other symptoms can be fever, abdominal pressure, or cramping.
DEHYDRATION
Not drinking enough water can also cause cloudy urine. The color of your urine can also be a symptom of dehydration. Your pee might be a little darker than it usually is. You may also find that you urinate less often if you’re dehydrated.
DIET
You can have cloudy urine based on the foods and drinks you’ve consumed, particularly ones high in purines.Purines are substances naturally found in some foods that produce uric acid as a waste product. Crystals can form due to uric acid build-up and lead to health problems like kidney stones.
High-purine foods include: Beer, Fatty poultry, Gravy, High-fat dairy products, Most seafood like anchovies, scallops, trout, and tuna, Red meat, Wild game meat, such as that from deer, duck, and lamb.
KIDNEY STONES
Smelly and cloudy urine are both signs of kidney stones, which form in the kidneys but are passed by urinating. Other symptoms include: Back pain or pain in your side, Blood in the urine, Burning when you urinate, Chills. Fever, Vomiting.
MUCUS
Mucus in your urine could make your pee look cloudy. Having some mucus in your urine is normal. Excess amounts can point to an underlying condition.
Providing a urine sample can help a healthcare provider determine if the amount of mucus in your urine is normal. It could be a sign of UTIs and kidney stones if there’s too much. Mucus in the urine can also be a sign of other conditions, including bladder cancer and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
TRICHOMONIASIS
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) could be to blame if you notice your pee looks cloudy. Trichomoniasis is an STI that also causes symptoms like abnormal discharge, pain while urinating, and genital itching.
URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)
Cloudy urine, especially with a strong smell, can indicate a UTI. You might also notice symptoms like burning or pain when urinating or needing to pee more frequently. A healthcare provider can diagnose a UTI after obtaining a urine sample.
TREATMENT
Ensure that you stay hydrated to treat some causes of cloudy urine, such as dehydration. The amount of water you’ll need for proper hydration depends on factors like age, sex, activity level, and even the weather.
Some dietary changes can also be helpful. You can limit purine-rich foods like lunch meats, beans, and vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, and spinach. Foods low in purine that you may want to enjoy more often include nuts, peanut butter, and low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Getting medical treatment for the underlying cause is also important. Treatment options may vary depending on the cause. Antibiotics may be necessary for relieving and reducing UTI symptoms, including the appearance of cloudy urine.
WHEN TO CONTACT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER
Cloudy urine can be harmless. You may sometimes need to see a healthcare provider, for example, if you have other symptoms of a UTI or an STI.
See a healthcare provider if you notice the following changes to the quality of your urine: Dark brown urine that’s also clear, Discolored urine not caused by food or medicine, Unexplained, persistent urine color changes,
Urine with blood, Very dark yellow urine, which can be a sign of severe dehydration.
A few reasons you may have cloudy urine include a high-purine diet, cystitis, dehydration, or UTIs. Cloudy-looking pee isn’t always bad. You may be able to resolve it by making dietary changes and staying hydrated. Seeking medical attention is best if you consistently have cloudy urine accompanied by other symptoms like fever or painful urination.
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