Urine Problems

May 29, 2018 Source: Internal - Yilin Zhang

Imagine this: after going to the washroom you take a curious look back into the toilet bowl. Sound familiar? Well, it’s a natural response we do to check up on our health. Our urine illustrates our physical condition by eliminating waste from our bodies and in healthy individuals, the urine is usually clear and odorless. However, sometimes it may smell different, feel different, or look different. Naturally, our inclination tells us that something is wrong. In this blog, we will explore some common types of urine-related issues: hematuria, proteinuria, and pyuria. Most often, the problems can be traced back to a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Hematuria is a condition involving the presence of blood in urine, often pink or red colored. However, hematuria is not always noticeable to the naked eye. Individuals with hematuria often have no associated symptoms and treatment varies depending on the cause.

Proteinuria is a condition involving the presence of protein, which often is a sign of kidney disease. In healthy individuals, the kidneys’ filters prevent large amounts of protein from passing into the urine. Individuals with diabetes and high blood pressure are most at risk of developing proteinuria. However, toxins, medications, and infections may also result in proteinuria. Treatment of proteinuria involves finding the cause-if the kidneys are involved then a consultation with an urologist may be needed.

Pyuria is a condition involving the presence of white blood cells, which signals an infection. Individuals with pyuria may experience cloudy or bloody urine, frequent urination, and discharge. Pyuria is usually caused by UTIs, but can also be caused by STDs, pneumonia, or tuberculosis.

If you notice any abnormal changes in your urine, be sure to visit a healthcare professional. Our physicians at the clinic can perform a rapid urinalysis to determine the presence of proteins, blood, and white blood cells. If needed, the patient may be referred to an urologist at the clinic.