White blood cells in urine are not at all common. In fact, blood cell in the urine, be it red or white is not really a healthy situation since the blood should not be in contact with the urine as the kidney forbids blood cells to push on to the urine section. However, owing to certain diseases or infections, white blood cells may pass on into the urine as a default. Bladder infections, kidney stones and such can be blamed for it. it is best if you follow the guidelines laid by your doctor as the diagnosis of this is strictly linked with the specific occurrence.
Causes of White Blood Cells in Urine
The first procedures to conducting a test on your urine include urine sample collection which your healthcare concerned person would ask you to furnish. The sample of the urine will then be used for WBCs checking. If the preliminary results do show the presence of white blood cells in the urine, the next step requires you to send the sample to the laboratory for further inspection. White blood cells in urine can be caused by many varied reasons, some of them being-
- Cystitis
Cystitis is a form of bladder infection often commonly seen in women or females where the white blood cells in urine often enter the body through the urethra and makes their way up to the bladder where the infection source is seen to occur. One of the symptoms for it are called urinary frequency where the patient feels compelled to pass urine quite frequently. While burning or painful sting during passing urine is a sure shot symptom for it, you may along with it also notice cloudiness and a strong foul smell as a symptom for Cystitis.
Cure: treatments for Cystitis if home bound comes in easy tips and precautions such as over the counter medical drugs like Tylenol or Motrin can be of great aid as does cranberry juice which allows you to inculcate healthy urine. Avoiding alcohol and sexual intercourse during the span of this disease is often advised as much as drinking plenty of water say 64 ounces a day is of importance. If the home remedies don’t partake in bettering your condition, consult a doctor and opt for some antibiotics which can reverse the condition within the first 24 hours itself. Pyridium which is an OTC medication can be taken to treat spasms of the bladder.
- Interstitial cystitis:
Once again inclined towards women more than men, interstitial cystitis is yet another inflammation of the bladder problem and may result in white blood cells being released into the urine. This however, is not a bacterial infection and the symptoms for it usually revolve around frequent urination and severe abdominal pain caused by the spasms experienced from the bladder.
Cure: the cure or the treatment for it may be both home based or medically assisted. If we are taking about homely precautions or tips o cure this, we should start by cutting down on the caffeine intake or citrus fruits. Carbonated food or items that are highly antioxidant in nature should be avoided. Smoking too is a big no at this time. To relax yourself many people opt for yoga or meditation or soft home based exercises to strengthen the pelvic joints. medical cure for this involve bladder distension, instilling medicines into the bladder, nerve stimulation and prescribed medications. If we consider the rarest of the cases, surgery too might be required.
- Pyelonephritis
Now here we talk about bacterial infections as Pyelonephritis is a disease where the kidney gets infected by a bacterial invasion and the symptoms that show up are much more serious in nature be it the fever and chills or the pain. but someone who is suffering from pyelonephritis may also be affected by cystitis, the symptoms for it being same as discussed above. This disease once again leans more towards the female section than the men.
Cure: even though home remedies exist for this, in most cases the home remedies are ineffective as opposed to kidney infections. For the most common cases, the doctor might prescribe to you oral antibiotics which is the best way to go about it. however, in some of the most serious cases, intravenous treatment for antibiotics is much required.
- Kidney stones
Kidney stones are mainly known to affect men more than women where the case of kidney stones may result in the passage of white blood cells to your urine owing to the blockage in the urethra. The urine collected waits in the bladder as the stone in the kidney blocks the urethra walls not allowing the urine to pass. In such a scenario white blood cells, the soldiers to our body are released to combat the swelling and infection. Bladder spasms are quite common at around this time especially if the pain and discomfort is of the serious nature.
Cure: treatment of kidney stone varies on the size of the stone where small stones can easily be treated at home with a little assistance and guidance of a professional but the bigger stones or infection along with it may require you to get full time medical attention. Some home remedies for it include drinking plenty of water to keep self hydrated and urinating more frequently in order to completely empty your bladder so that urine storage doesn’t result in infection. It also helps in flushing the stone out.
- Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is one of the most common cases for white blood cells in urine where the infection and inflammation spot is usually the ureter or the urethra. Mainly deemed to be an STD, symptoms for UTI include burning or stinging sensation while trying to pass urine and slight pain too may follow. Blood in your urination at this time may persist too a condition that we call Hematuria.
Cure: once again the home remedies for it include drinking plenty of water to flush out the infection out of your system. The goal is to frequently urinate so that the bladder is completely empty. In much serious cases, doctor’s guidance and approval is a must.
- Urinary system obstruction
Obstruction or hindrance in the urinary tract may cause white blood cells to pass on to the urine. Kidney stones are one that we have already discussed as an instance but the other obstruction at times may often be caused by the pelvic region like pelvic trauma, tumors, enlarged prostates or intrusion of a foreign substance in the system. The symptoms for this may be hematuria, excess pain and discomfort in passing urine etc.
Cure: temporary treatments for it include a catheter or a stent. These temporary treatments are often just to relieve you from the pain and discomfort of the obstruction and may continue until a definite diagnosis and treatment determination takes place. Surgeries for this include laparoscopic surgery which is the least hassle surgery where laparoscope is used to insert medical instruments to operate the blockage. These invasive surgeries cause lesser pain and quicker recovery as opposed to an incision. Consult your healthcare person regarding the treatment course.
Other Similar Causes for White Blood Cells in Urine
Though white blood cells in urine are not a common factor as compared to others, there are still several reasons as to why this issue occurs:
- Cancer: Any form of abdominal cancer relating particularly to prostate, balder or even kidney can directly cause white blood cells to show up in urine due to irritation or inflammation of the area. Like all forms of cancer the best form of treatment is chemotherapy or radiation though the means of treatment may differ from person to person.
- Blood Disorders: there are many blood clotting diseases such as sickle cell anemia that has been well known to actually cause the problem. It is always better to keep your healthcare professional in the loop at all times if you are suffering from any of these issues.
- Medication: blood thinners and even pain medication is well known to actually instigate white blood cells in urine as one of their side effects. Even antibiotics have been related to this issue directly. Zydol tablets for arthritis are also well known to associate itself with this side effect because it causes urinary retention and even disorders of the blood in various capacities.
- Excessive Exercise: An appropriate treatment plan must be formulated taking the help of your healthcare professional because in many cases excessive exercise adversely effects your urinary tract causing this condition.