What makes urine milky

It could also be a buildup of white blood cells as the body tries to eliminate invading bacteria. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Treating a UTI early can help relieve discomfort and prevent complications. Many kidney infections start as UTIs, which then spread due to lack of effective treatment and get worse over time.

Kidney infections cause similar symptoms to UTIs and may also cause additional symptoms, such as:. Kidney infections require immediate medical treatment. Without prompt treatment, this type of infection may lead to permanent kidney damage. Some common STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia , may cause cloudy urine.

Gonorrhea and chlamydia prompt the immune system to fight back and produce white blood cells, which may mix with the urine and give it a cloudy appearance. These STIs may also cause unusual discharge from the vagina or penis. Other signs of an STI include:. Regular testing for STIs can help a person receive an early diagnosis and get treatment. Using protection during sexual activity may also help prevent the spread of STIs. Vulvovaginitis is inflammation in the vulva and vagina, and it can lead to cloudy urine.

Bacterial infections are the most common cause of vulvovaginitis, though the infection can also result from viruses or fungi. In some cases, the body may react to ingredients in soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, or other products. These reactions can cause inflammation in the vulva and vagina without an infection being present. A doctor will want to determine whether the infection is bacterial, fungal, or viral before moving forward with treatment.

An inflamed prostate, or prostatitis , may also be the cause of cloudy urine. The U. Department of Health and Human Services state that prostatitis affects between 10 and 15 percent of the males in the United States.

It typically appears due to an infection in the prostate. Kidney stones can also cause cloudy urine. They develop from the buildup of certain minerals in the body. Small stones may pass without incident, but larger stones can block the urinary tract and cause an infection, which could lead to pus in the urine, giving it a cloudy appearance. A common symptom of kidney stones is severe pain below the ribs, generally near the side or lower back.

The pain may also occur in the groin and radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back. Some kidney stones do not require treatment. However, anyone who thinks that they may have kidney stones should see a doctor for a diagnosis. Anyone who consumes high amounts of vitamin D or phosphorus may notice cloudy urine as their kidneys filter the excess phosphorus out of their body.

National Kidney Foundation state that protein-rich foods such as meat, beans, and dairy products may be higher in phosphorus. Sometimes diabetes or diabetic kidney disease is the underlying cause of cloudy urine.

The body may be trying to remove excess sugars that it cannot process by sending them through the urine. What color is your urine and does the color change during the day? Do you see blood in the urine? Are there things that make the problem worse? What types of foods have you been eating and what medicines do you take?

Have you had urinary or kidney problems in the past? Are you having any other symptoms such as pain, fever, or increase in thirst? Is there a family history of kidney or bladder cancers? Do you smoke or are you exposed to significant second hand tobacco? Do you work with certain chemicals such as dyes?

Tests that may be done include: Blood tests, including liver function tests Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder or CT scan Urinalysis Urine culture for infection Cystoscopy Urine cytology. Alternative Names. Female urinary tract Male urinary tract. Urinalysis Read more. Validity, accuracy, and predictive value of urinary tract infection signs and symptoms in individuals with spinal cord injury on intermittent catheterization.

J Spinal Cord Med. Otajevwo FD. Urinary tract infection among symptomatic outpatients visiting a tertiary hospital based in midwestern Nigeria. Glob J Health Sci. Urogenital infections as a risk factor for preterm labor: a hospital-based case-control study. J Obstet Gynaecol India. Cleveland Clinic. Uric acid stones. Updated November 3, Chlamydia and male lower urinary tract diseases. Korean J Urol.

Mayo Clin Proc. Uroscopic rainbow: modern matula medicine. Postgrad Med J. Almekinder E. Your urine and diabetes: What you should know. The Diabetes Council. Updated March 28, Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Urine—abnormal color.

Updated June 4, National Kidney Foundation. Do you have symptoms of a kidney stone? Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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