Generality
The mucus is a viscous and yellowish colloid which lubricates and protects the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, urinary, visual, auditory and genital apparatus.
Traces of mucus may exist in normal urine; however, when their number increases to make the phenomenon evident to the naked eye (turbid, filamentous urine), there may be an underlying problem of inflammation or irritation of the urinary tract .
Related articles: cloudy urine; leukocytes in urine.
What's this
The mucus is a dense and viscous matrix, different depending on the body district that produces it. Its function is to protect the epithelia of the mucous membranes: by absorbing the foreign agents and facilitating their removal, the mucus cleans the channels that connect the tissue districts (respiratory, ocular, gastric, intestinal, etc.) with the outside.
A certain amount of mucus is normally produced also at the level of the genitourinary tract. However, the presence in excess of this substance could be an indication of an irritative situation of the urinary mucosa, which can prelude to a real inflammatory state.
Why do you measure
The presence of mucus in the urine can be evidenced by microscopic analysis of the urinary sediment. This secretion appears in the form of more or less subtle filaments or bundles, which can sometimes form a variegated background in the microscopic field.
The increase in mucus in the urine may represent a sign of a pathology affecting the urinary tract (urethra, urinary bladder, renal pelvis and kidney). To identify the exact cause that causes an excess of this secretion and to search for any pathogenic microorganisms in the sample, urine culture must be performed.
Possible associated symptoms
When the mucus is particularly abundant in the urine, the viscous material may be visible to the naked eye.
If the episode is sporadic, there should be no cause for excessive concern, as it could be a temporary irritation of the urinary channel, to which our body responds by increasing the amount of mucus produced in the area.
In women, during or after urination, the presence of this manifestation is normal, as it may be due to vaginal secretion. In this case, the mucus has a whitish color and is not smelly (see cervical mucus).
In both sexes, when the mucus is yellowish, purulent and accompanied by symptoms such as discomfort during urination, frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen, it is an indication of infections or inflammation of the urinary tract.
In the presence of excess mucus, the urine may appear cloudy and darker in color.
Normal values
The mucus in the urine can be contained sporadically in traces. However, when its presence becomes visible, the situation deserves further medical investigation, since it could be a sign of an underlying pathological condition.
Mucus in the Urine - Causes
Among the possible causes of mucus in the urine we recall, in descending order of incidence:
- Bacterial infections of the urinary tract : although all the organs of the urinary system may be affected by infectious processes, in general the bacteria invade the urethra (urethritis) and the bladder (cystitis), and eventually eventually spread to the upper urinary tract. In addition to the detection of mucus in the urine, urinary infections typically result in symptoms such as urgent and frequent urination, with poor elimination of urine, pain, burning and difficulty in passing urine.
- Sexually transmitted diseases : in the presence of venereal diseases such as gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or chlamydia it is quite common to find mucus-purulent leaks, often with a bad smell, from the urethra (the tube which, opening outwards, conveys the urine from the bladder outside the body). As a result, the urine appears cloudy, yellow and stringy. Usually these symptoms are associated with itching and burning, especially during urination and sexual intercourse.
- Irritable bowel syndrome : it is a rather frequent functional disorder, affecting the colon causing abdominal pain, intestinal swelling, alvo disorders (diarrhea or constipation, often altered between them) and meteorism. Irritable bowel syndrome is commonly associated with mucorrhea, or the copious elimination of mucus with faeces. Sometimes the mucus can also be present in the urine or contaminate them in the toilet giving the impression of a urinary origin.
- Ulcerative colitis : chronic inflammatory disease that affects the large intestine, first involving the rectum and eventually extending to the whole colon; it causes the appearance of numerous point ulcerations, which cause the bleeding and the discharge of the mucus in the lumen of the intestine. The typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and diarrhea, often mixed with blood and mucous losses. Sometimes the mucus can also be present in the urine or contaminate them in the toilet, giving the impression of a urinary origin.
- Kidney stones : presence of mineral aggregates inside the urinary tract, responsible for the emission of badly smelling urine and dark yellow with traces of mucus. If the size of the kidney stones is such as to obstruct the urinary tract, cramps and abdominal violent pains arise, which constitute the picture of the so-called renal colic.
How to measure it
The presence of mucus is found during cytological analysis of urine, which is an integral part of the medical routine. In practice, a microscopic examination of the urinary sample is performed.
This analysis makes it possible to highlight elements such as red and white blood cells, as well as favoring the identification of the possible presence of bacteria, epithelial cells, mucus and crystals. The result must be deepened with urine culture.
Preparation
For the evaluation of mucus in urine it is necessary to collect a sample of the intermediate mito (that is, after letting go of the very first issue), on an empty stomach, after having carried out a thorough intimate hygiene. In the case of women, it is good to take the exam away from the menstrual period.
The urine must be collected in a sterile container, which must be carefully closed immediately afterwards and taken to the laboratory within a short period of time.
Interpretation of Results
The presence of mucus in the urine does not have a particular importance, but it can indicate an irritative situation of the urinary mucosa or an inflammatory state.
The main causes of mucus in the urine include:
- Urinary tract infections;
- Sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis etc.);
- Kidney stones;
- Pregnancy;
- Poor hygiene in children.
What to do
As explained above, it is important not to overlook the presence of mucus in the urine, especially when it is a frequent or chronic finding, associated with any of the above symptoms. In these cases, a medical consultation is therefore appropriate and necessary.
