Cloudy Urine: Causes, Symptons and Health Conditions
What is Cloudy Urine

What symptoms might occur with cloudy urine?

Symptoms can originate in the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra), the reproductive system, the endocrine system, the cardiovascular system, and other organs and systems of the body.

Possible coexisting urinary tract symptoms

Urinary tract symptoms that can occur with cloudy urine include:

Abdominal or flank pain (along your abdomen, side or back)

Abnormal coloring of the urine, such as dark, tea-colored or bloody or pink-tinged urine

Bladder spasms, pain or cramps, which are felt in the lower abdominal area

Dribbling urine or incontinence

Foul-smelling urine

Frequent urination or a decrease in urination

Painful urination or burning with urination

Urgent urination

Serious symptoms

In some cases, cloudy urine can occur with symptoms that might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.

  • Bloody urine

  • Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness

  • Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions

  • Disorientation

  • High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

  • Inability to urinate

  • Seizure

  • Severe abdominal pain or flank pain (along your abdomen, side or lower back)

  • Tremors or trembling

There are 3 main causes of cloudy urine

Dehydration: Often, cloudy urine is caused by a simple case of dehydration.[1] While this can be a scary symptom, it happens to many people, especially those who live in hotter climates. It can be a sign that you need to drink more water, especially the symptom has only recently appeared.

Infection: Infection is another common cause of milky or cloudy urine. It’s one way our body tells us that something is wrong in a way we will notice. Usually, if this is the case, your urine will also have an especially unpleasant odor.

Foreign Deposits: Foreign items in your urine can cause milky urine. Having too much of something in your body (or having it in the wrong place). For example, if you have mucus, crystals, bacteria, blood cells, or fat in your urine, this could cause it to look milky.

Cloudy urine is often caused by infection, inflammation or other conditions of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra) or the reproductive organs. A small amount of blood in the urine that is not visible to the naked eye can also cause cloudy urine.

Cloudy urine can also be caused by diseases of other body systems and diseases that cause the excretion of protein in the urine, which can cloud urine when present in high levels. These include diabetes, heart disease, and preeclampsia.

Questions About Cloudy Urine

How long has your urine been cloudy? When did you first notice it?

Do you have any other symptoms, such as painful or frequent urination?

Do certain things, such as specific foods, make your urine cloudier?

What color is your urine, and does it have a bad smell?

Have you ever seen blood in your urine?

Have you ever had a urinary tract infection or another similar type of infection?