Mucus found in urine - what does this mean? About causes and treatment

When, during testing, mucus is found in the urine of a child or adult (mucus), this is an alarming signal, because such a pathology indicates the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the internal organs, which is important to diagnose in time and begin therapy. Why are traces of mucus detected in a urine test, how do you need to prepare for submitting urine samples, the basic rules for collecting urine, and what kind of results will indicate the development of a complication in the body?

Reasons for the presence of mucus in urine in men

The presence of mucus in urine can be due to several reasons. If leucorrhoea was detected during the test, this does not necessarily indicate the presence of pathologies.

  • The rules for taking the test may have been violated. We remind you that before diagnosis it is necessary to carry out thorough hygiene of the genital organs; collection should be carried out in a disposable sterile container (sold at a pharmacy).
  • Long abstinence from urination. The composition of an adult’s urine changes throughout the day, so it is quite possible that there may be small amounts of mucus, secretions and other sediments in the urine.

These reasons are not pathology. As a rule, repeat urine testing will show different results. Let's consider cases when mucus in a urine test is considered a symptom of the development of diseases and, as a result, an urgent trip to the doctor.

Child's problems

When mucous discharge appears in a child’s urine, this may be the result of non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene; girls especially suffer from this problem, because their urinary organs are built in such a way that pathogens and microorganisms penetrate inside the urethra and vagina almost unhindered. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the baby’s genitals clean.

Another disease when there are clots of mucus in the urine is inflammation of the genitourinary system and kidneys. In this case, the analysis will show that, in addition to mucus, there is too much protein in the child’s urine, and when the disease is not treated on time, you can see pus and traces of blood in the urine. In this case, the baby develops characteristic symptoms of inflammation:

  • increased body temperature;
  • signs of intoxication of the body;
  • problems with urination, which involve pain, pain and severe burning.

With such symptoms, under no circumstances should you keep the child at home and try to provide medical assistance yourself. This is dangerous for the health and life of the baby, so do not self-medicate under any circumstances, but take the child to the hospital. Only a doctor can name the exact diagnosis and the root cause of increased mucus levels in the urine.

Pathologies leading to the appearance of mucus

  • Inflammation of the male genitourinary system

In addition to mucus, they are accompanied by: sharp pain in the lower back, frequent urination with burning.

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra. Occurs when hygiene rules are neglected, as well as as a result of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. As a rule, it is a concomitant pathology to other diseases. It is believed that cystitis is not a male disease, as it occurs more often in women.

Pyelonephritis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria (staphylococcus, E. coli, etc.) It may be one of the symptoms of genitourinary oncology. As a result of pyelonephritis, the outflow of urine is disrupted, which causes the formation of kidney stones.

  • Urolithiasis disease

In this case, mucus in the urine is not the only symptom of this disease. Analysis will demonstrate the presence of sand or rocks. The main cause of the disease is a violation of metabolic processes in the body. Additional symptoms include the following: intermittent urination, blood in urine, pain in the lumbar region.

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Ignoring the disease can lead to pyelonephritis or kidney suppuration.

A common cause of mucus in the urine in men is prostatitis, which is the presence of inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.

It can occur in an acute or chronic phase.

Symptoms of acute prostatitis:

  • Pain in the genital area;
  • Increased body temperature, accompanied by chills;
  • Presence of pus, protein, blood in the urine.

The chronic form of the disease generally occurs without pronounced symptoms. Anxiety arises during the period of exacerbation. To identify a chronic form of prostatitis, tests are usually prescribed several times.

The most common persistent symptoms include:

  • Problems with sex life;
  • Increased fatigue, lethargy;
  • Nervousness;
  • Difficulty going to the toilet.
  • Prostatic hyperplasia

This disease is associated with the appearance of nodules in a man’s prostate, which increase in size over time and begin to put pressure on the urethra, causing severe discomfort.

Men aged 40 to 50 years are at risk.


At risk are men aged 40 to 50 years

There are three stages of hyperplasia:

  • The first stage is characterized by increased urination; ultrasound shows an enlarged prostate gland.
  • At the second stage, trips to the toilet become even more frequent, urine portions decrease, incontinence appears, and the remaining urine leaks out.
  • At the third stage, urine is released a few drops at a time, becoming cloudy, often mixed with blood.

Most often, men consult a doctor when the frequent urge to go to the toilet becomes unbearable. However, experts remind that successful therapy and full recovery depend on a timely visit to the doctor at an early stage.

General urine test - mucus

mucus in urine is normal

Based on the results of a general analysis, it is possible to identify not only the presence of organ pathologies, but also their degree. For diagnostics in the laboratory, various methods are used, including microscopic examination. With its help, urine analysis reveals mucus along with other substances, the amount of which exceeds the norm: bacteria, protein, leukocytes, etc. Each combination has its own reasons for its occurrence. It is especially alarming when there are blood clots in the urine.

To determine the level of impurities in urine, a system of pluses is used:

  • one plus [+] – the amount of mucus is normal;
  • two – moderate content;
  • three – increased;
  • four – a lot of impurities, can be determined even by eye.

As a rule, after the first negative test, which showed the presence of mucus, they are asked to take another one, which will reveal the root cause. For the results to be true, it is important to follow hygiene standards for people of any gender and age: wash before taking the test (with soap), use a sterile container. Urine should be in the morning, and the collected material is not recommended to be stored for more than three hours.

Mucus in urine is normal

Normally, the epithelium regularly secretes a secretion product, the amount of which is necessary to protect the mucosa from the aggressive effects of urea. Small amounts of mucus in urine cannot be seen with the naked eye, only through a microscope. In the analysis, a positive result that does not go beyond the norm can be marked by such indicators as:

  • 1;
  • few;
  • footprints;
  • +.

Mucus in the urine – a small amount

Sometimes the results of a laboratory test report that mucus is found in the urine, and it is moderately increased (two, less often three pluses). This is not yet a reason to panic. Perhaps it is a matter of improper hygiene, then the tests will have to be retaken, but an inflammatory process can also provoke the release of epithelium. When problems arise with the pelvic organs, blood rushes to them and the mucous walls swell. Cells begin to actively secrete epithelium in order to save the urinary system from harmful bacteria. A little discharge appears in the urine.

Large amounts of mucus in urine

A copious amount of secretions in urine is immediately noticeable - they settle at the bottom of the test container, clots float in the liquid. The symptom is alarming. A lot of mucus in the urine is a pathology indicating infection of the urinary and genital organs. Increased formation of impurities in urine can be caused by:

  • injury to the epithelium by salts and stones;
  • forced retention (retention) of urine;
  • venereal diseases;
  • strong inflammatory reaction.

Treatment of mucus in urine

After the urologist determines the cause of the appearance of mucus in urine, the patient is prescribed appropriate treatment.

To get rid of cystitis, antibacterial drugs and drinking plenty of fluids are prescribed. Traditional medicine is also good here. The patient is recommended to use herbal preparations and decoctions of rose hips.

Kidney diseases require complex therapy, consisting of antibacterial drugs and urinoseptics. In the early stages, it is possible to prescribe drugs that help dissolve salts. If there are kidney stones, they are ineffective. If stones have formed, surgical intervention is prescribed.

For prostatitis, medications are added that can reduce inflammation. If treatment does not bring results, surgery cannot be avoided.

Therapy is selected by a specialist in each individual case. To avoid complications, it is not recommended to self-medicate.

Treatment

Mucus in the urine is not a disease; this laboratory indicator often allows one to suspect the presence of inflammatory changes in the urinary tract.

Depending on the cause of the increased concentration of mucus in the urine, different treatments are prescribed:

  • For renal colic, antispasmodics are prescribed orally or parenterally to stop the attack. When kidney stones are detected, surgical intervention or ultrasound lithotripsy is often necessary.
  • If the cause lies in the inflammatory process of viral or bacterial origin - antibacterial or antiviral therapy. Uroantiseptics, nitrofurans, and herbal infusions are prescribed for the sanitation of the urinary tract.
  • In case of pathology of the prostatic gland, drugs are prescribed that have an anti-inflammatory effect, can reduce the volume of the gland tissue and relax the muscle fibers. If medications do not help, then proceed to surgical treatment.

Prevention

Mucus in the urine is usually a symptom of the presence of pathologies in the body. To avoid unpleasant consequences, there are prevention methods that men are advised to follow:

  • Daily thorough hygiene of the genitals.
  • The use of condoms during intimate relations is one of the most reliable means of contraception, which eliminates the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Strengthening the immune system. A man is recommended to eat a balanced diet, quit smoking and alcohol, and also exercise regularly and lead an active lifestyle.
  • Wearing cotton underwear. It allows the skin to breathe, which reduces the risk of bacteria accumulation and proliferation.
  • Every day a man is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water. This helps regulate metabolic processes, as well as cleanse the urinary system.
  • Regular preventive visits to the urologist’s office.

Signs and symptoms

Mucus, which is found in urine in isolation (in small quantities), does not cause any unpleasant symptoms; on the contrary, it neutralizes the irritating effect of stones or bacterial organisms in the urinary tract.

If a lot of mucus is released and it is associated with any pathology, then the following symptoms may appear:

  • Cutting pain, paroxysmal during the process of urination (urolithiasis);
  • Aching and nagging pain in the abdomen, or rather in its lower part, increased urination (with cystitis);
  • Hematuria may occur (with urolithiasis or cystitis);
  • Increased body temperature, general weakness and chills;
  • The concentration of leukocyte cells in the urine can significantly increase (during inflammation), and in the blood there is an acceleration of ESR.

Types of rejected epithelium

Why is a mucous mass observed in urine? The fact is that the epithelial layer covers the internal organs, and after a certain time its rejection begins. The process will be noticeably accelerated in people with developing diseases, since the mucous layer is very susceptible to the effects of inflammatory and infectious processes, constantly striving to update its own condition.

There are several types of epithelium diagnosed in the excreted fluid:

  1. Flat epithelium. It covers the inner surface of the lower third of the urinary canal. If mucus in this type of urine exceeds the permissible values, we may be talking about the development of cystitis, urethritis or prostatitis. In exceptional cases, squamous epithelium indicates the appearance of Ig nephropathy. With this serious illness, the kidneys fail to filter incoming fluid.
  2. Transitional epithelium. It covers the surface of the upper urethral canal, renal pelvis and ureter. What does the presence of this element in urine mean? This is usually how pyelonephritis or chronic cystitis manifests itself, prostatitis, ureteral neoplasms and urolithiasis.
  3. Renal epithelium. This element is not detected in those who do not complain about their health. If its presence is detected, one should be wary of the development of glomerulonephritis, renal ischemia, the appearance of stones, and transplant rejection. Moreover, the appearance of such mucus in the urine analysis of newborn infants is often normal.

Why do mucus appear in male urine?

Based on the results of urine tests, specialists obtain a specific picture of the disease; in children, the study allows them to monitor the processes of organic development. This is the most important diagnostic test, allowing timely detection of health abnormalities. One of the most common abnormalities in male tests is mucus in the urine. There are many reasons for such a violation. This could be some kind of genitourinary inflammation or other pathological processes.

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Why do mucus impurities appear in male urine?

Indications and rules for analysis

A mandatory test for all renal pathologies is a general urinalysis. It is prescribed in the following cases:

  • to identify urinary tract infections;
  • after infections (sore throat, tonsillitis, flu);
  • to monitor the body during treatment in order to assess its effectiveness;
  • when the body is intoxicated.

Every man should undergo a general urine test once every six months for preventive purposes.

On a note! A minimal amount of mucus is always present in the urine; the presence of impurities is determined through laboratory testing. If mucus can be seen with the naked eye, then this is a sure sign of pathological abnormalities in the body.

How to prepare and give urine: advice to patients

In order for the result of a urine test to be truthful, you need to properly prepare and collect material. To collect urine, it is better to buy a special container at the pharmacy in advance. It is better not to use containers that are available at home for household purposes to avoid foreign impurities getting into the urine.

An average morning urine sample is taken for analysis. It must be delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours after collection. If urine is stored for a long time, additional decomposition components may form and the result will be distorted.

To prevent unnecessary impurities from getting into the material, before collecting urine you need to wash yourself with boiled water without soap. The day before the test, it is better not to eat foods that are colored (beets, carrots). It is necessary to stop taking medications that can affect the color and composition of urine.

A minimal amount of mucus in the urine may always be present due to the fact that epithelial cells are constantly producing it. If there is a minimum of mucus in the material, they put the designation +, if its maximum value, then ++++.

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