Cloudy urine
Cloudy urine means that the urine is not clear, but for example it looks milky, blurry or floccious. Sometimes this is temporary and harmless, for example because the urine is highly concentrated. However, if the urine remains cloudy regularly or prolonged, there may be an underlying cause.
Cloudy urine may occur, for example, in urinary tract infection, inflammation of the urinary tract, protein in the urine or certain conditions of the kidneys. Sometimes there are other symptoms at the same time, such as pain or burning sensations when passing urine, need to urinate more often, pain in the abdomen or changes in the amount of urine.
Within Chinese medicine the turbid urine itself as well as other symptoms and physical characteristics are examined. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can then be used in addition on the basis of the underlying TCM pattern.
Possible Western disorders
Cloudy urine is a symptom and not a condition in itself. Several substances in the urine may make it less clear.
Cloudy urine may occur in, among others:
- urinary tract infections, such as bladder inflammation;
- inflammation of the urethra;
- prostatitis;
- kidney inflammation;
- kidney stones;
- protein in urine (proteinuria);
- blood in the urine, which does not always have to be clear red in small amounts.
In women vaginal discharge mixed with urine may sometimes also give the impression of turbid urine.
Possible causes
A temporary change in the urine does not directly indicate a condition. For example, strong concentrated urine may appear darker or less clear.
If turbid urine persists or recurs regularly, infections or inflammation of the urinary tract may play a role. Blood, proteins, crystals or other components in the urine may also change the appearance. In some kidney and urinary disorders, turbid urine may also occur.
Because the appearance of urine alone is not reliable to determine the cause, persistent or recurrent complaints may require urinalysis or other regular medical examination.
How can acupuncture help with cloudy urine?
Within Chinese medicine, turbid urine is not treated as one fixed disease. It looks at the colour and amount of urine, how often you pee and whether there is pain, heat, cold, tiredness, fluid retention or indigestion.
The treatment is then tailored to the pattern in the foreground. Depending on the complaint image, acupuncture can be aimed at:
- Dampness and Heat reduce when turbid urine coincides with signs of irritation or inflammation;
- support the function of the Bladder within TCM;
- Supporting the Spleen when moisture is insufficiently processed and fatigue or digestive problems are present;
- Support kidney-Qi, kidney-Yin or kidney-Yang in long-term or recurring complaints;
- improve Qi and Blood flow in the lower abdomen when stagnation plays a role.
Acupuncture does not replace necessary medical diagnostics or treatment if, for example, urinary tract infection or kidney disease is present.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with cloudy urine?
Chinese herbs are also chosen on the basis of the overall picture of complaints. As a result, treatment can vary considerably between two people who have both turbid urine.
In an image with Dampness-Heat, for example, herbs can be used to remove Dampness and reduce Heat. In case of long-term complaints where weakness is at the forefront, treatment can be more focused on supporting Spleen and Kidneys. In case of signs of Yin or Yang deficiency another strategy is used.
Depending on the pattern, Chinese herbal medicine can be aimed at:
- Reduce Dampness and support moisture management;
- Reduce heat from the lower body region;
- Enhance Spleen-Qi;
- Feed kidney-yin or support kidney-yang;
- improve Qi and Blood flow.
Herbs can be used daily between acupuncture treatments. In kidney disorders, drug use or established infection it is important to take into account regular treatment and possible interactions.
How does Chinese medicine view cloudy urine?
In Chinese medicine, normal urine formation is described as separating the “clear” from the “turbid”. This does not refer only to the literal clarity of urine, but is a traditional concept describing how the body processes useful fluids and excretes waste.
Especially the TCM organ systems Kidney, Bladder and Spleen are important in this respect. The Kidney and Bladder play a role in the processing and excretion of liquids. Within TCM, the Spleen has a function in the processing and transport of food and moisture.
When these processes are disturbed, according to TCM moisture can accumulate or not be sufficiently processed. This is called Dampness. If there are also signs of heat and irritation, one speaks of Dampness-Heat . In case of long-term complaints, a deficiency of Spleen-Qi, kidney-Yin or kidney-Yang may be at the forefront.
Also stagnation of Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen may play a role in some cases.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns
Dampness-Heat in the Bladder
Brief explanation
In this pattern, according to TCM moisture (Dampness) accumulates in the lower body region and this goes together with Heat. As a result, the normal function of the Bladder is disturbed. This pattern is especially suitable for turbid urine where signs of heat or irritation are present.
Common symptoms
- turbid or milky urine;
- urine may be yellow, dark or smelly;
- feeling burning or painful when urinating;
- pressure or discomfort in the abdomen;
- dry mouth or thirst;
- sometimes bitter taste;
- possible constipation or varying stool.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern may be found in urinary tract infections, cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis.
Spleen-Qi-deficiency
Brief explanation
The Spleen plays an important role in the processing and movement of moisture within TCM. When Spleen-Qi is weakened, moisture can be processed less efficiently and Dampness can develop. Cloudy urine usually has a chronic or recurrent character and is more often associated with general signs of fatigue and weaker digestion.
In case of long-term complaints, besides the Spleen, the kidney may also be weakened.
Common symptoms
- chronic or recurrent turbid urine;
- sometimes floccious sediment when urine remains standing;
- fatigue;
- pale radiating pain;
- low appetite or rapidly full;
- loose stools;
- feeling heavy or depressed in the lower abdomen;
- Sometimes stick to fluid.
Examples of Western disorders
Such a pattern of symptoms may be seen, inter alia, in long-term urinary tract complaints where urine is cloudy or abnormal in composition.
Kidney-Yin-deficiency
Brief explanation
Within TCM, kidney-yin stands for the nourishing and cooling aspects of the kidney system. If these are insufficient, relative heat and dryness can occur. Urine may be chronically cloudy and more concentrated.
Common symptoms
- prolonged or recurrent turbid urine;
- relatively low and concentrated urine;
- feeling of warmth, especially later in the day or night;
- warm palms and soles of feet;
- night sweats;
- dry mouth or throat;
- dry skin or faeces;
- restlessness or poor sleep;
- dizziness or ringing in the ears;
- weakness or sensitivity of lower back and knees.
Examples of Western disorders
A kidneyy-Yin deficiency pattern can occur in some chronic renal and urinary disorders. The presence of this TCM pattern does not indicate the nature or severity of the Western disease.
Kidney-Yang-deficiency
Brief explanation
Within TCM, kidney-Yang represents, among other things, the heating and activating function necessary for proper processing and excretion of moisture. In case of a shortage of kidney-Yang this processing can weaken and moisture can accumulate more easily.
Common symptoms
- chronic cloudy urine;
- frequent or frequent urination;
- sometimes foaming urine;
- need to urinate regularly at night;
- Curvature;
- cold hands and feet;
- fatigue and listlessness;
- cold or whining lower back and knees;
- retention of fluid, especially around ankles or lower body;
- decreased libido.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern may be found with various long-term urinary and renal disorders involving changes in urine or fluid metabolism.
Blood stasis
Brief explanation
Blood stasis within TCM means that blood flow is locally reduced. In cloudy urine, this is usually not an early or simple pattern, but rather a pattern that can occur with long-term or more complex symptoms.
Common symptoms
- turbid urine, sometimes with pink or purple discoloration;
- possible small amounts of blood in the urine;
- difficulty in triggering the urinary stream;
- Interrupting or weak urinary stream;
- local stabbing pain in the abdomen;
- long-term complaints;
- possible dark or purple-like discoloration of the tongue.
Examples of Western disorders
These symptoms may occur with conditions such as chronic prostatitis or kidney or bladder stones. Blood in the urine, an abnormal urinary stream and persistent pain can also occur with other conditions, so conventional medical assessment is important.
When to contact your doctor?
Allow persistent or recurrent turbid urine to be evaluated when there is no clear explanation. Only the appearance of the urine does not determine what is causing it.
In any case, contact your doctor at:
- blood in urine;
- pain or burning sensation when passing urine that persists or is severe;
- fever or clearly ill;
- pain in the side or kidney area;
- difficulty in peeing or being unable to urinate properly;
- remarkably foaming urine that comes back regularly;
- swelling of legs, ankles or around the eyes;
- unexplained or prolonged changes in urine.
These symptoms may require urinalysis or additional examination. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in addition where appropriate, but do not replace such diagnostics.
Outlook
The course of treatment strongly depends on the cause of the turbid urine. When the change is associated with a temporary functional disturbance, symptoms can sometimes change relatively quickly. In case of long-term complaints or if a condition of the kidneys, urinary tract or prostate is involved, the course depends on the underlying condition and regular medical supervision is important.
In the initial phase, one acupuncture treatment per week is a common guideline. When complaints become more stable, the frequency can be reduced. Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments if appropriate. The duration and frequency are always adapted to the individual situation and any regular treatment.
Contact
Do you experience frequent turbid urine and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit in with your symptoms? During a first consultation we discuss your urinary tract complaints and other relevant symptoms. Based on the overall picture of complaints, we will examine which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and what treatment is appropriate.
In case of persistent or unexplained turbid urine, it may be wise to have the cause examined by the GP first or at the same time.