What pus cells in urine mean and how it’s typically a sign of infection or inflammation

Pus cells in urine are a cause for concern, suggesting an underlying medical condition. Most of the time pus cells in urine are a sign of infection or inflammatory changes in the urinary system. So, pus is nothing but dead white blood cells caused by fighting the organisms to eradicate any infection or even an inflammatory change in the urinary system. The elevated ‘puss’ levels in the urine indicate some active normal defense mechanisms in some of its systems, especially the urinary tract. 

Today, let’s explore the most effective methods on how to reduce pus cells in urine and focus on the causes and symptoms. The importance of hydration and other lifestyle changes as well as appropriate treatment in promoting urinary health is emphasized. 

Pus cells are present in urine because urine contains exudates of the white blood cells that the body had deployed in fighting an infection or inflammation. The excess of pus cells in a urine specimen which is subjected to a microscope is often said to be caused by pyuria, which is the inflammation of the urinary bladder or the urethra and is almost always due to an infection.

Pyuria, in layman’s terms, is the condition of having abnormal quantities of pus in the urine and may be said more simply as the elevated pus cell count in the urine. After the body is affected by pyuria, the urine becomes turbid. This condition has several undermining subtypes from the mild, asymptomatic types to more severe forms with complaints of discomfort, pain, or other problems associated with urination.

Generally, In the case of adults, the normal count of pus cells in urine samples is 0 - 5 pus cells per high-power field. Usually, an elevated count is associated with infection or inflammation that requires the intervention of a clinician.

A clot of dead white blood cells can be found due to the following reasons -

Urinary tract infection or UTI is the most common cause of pus cells in the urine of males. They happen when bacteria, usually E. coli, infect the urethra and ascend into the bladder. The person experiences increased frequency, dysuria, and suspicions of the urine due to cloudiness. 

Post-renal infections, such as pyelonephritis, can cause elevated pus cell counts in urine. Unlike common urinary tract infections, these infections may present with urinary symptoms, back pain, chills, and fever. 

The presence of irritants and infection in the bladder causes output of pus cells in urine. This is also accompanied by lower abdomen pain and urgency to avoid. 

Gonorrhea or chlamydia can lead to pus cells in urine as a result of any injury or inflammation of urinary or reproductive organs.

Some other less frequent reasons responsible for pus cell count in urine are:

• Urinary calculi that either irritate or obstruct.

• Inflammatory diseases involving the urinary tract are illnesses that are inflammatory. 

• Urinary tuberculosis.

• Tumors located within the urinary system, though quite rare.

The heightened presence of pus cells in urine is characterizable alongside other clinical features that may vary with the underlying pathology. Most of the signs include:

• The expulsion of urine that is turbid or foul smelling.

• Increased frequency of urination or even an overwhelming need to pass urine.

• Urination that is difficult or painful (dysuria).
• Pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
• Sometimes there are even instances of blood in urine (hematuria) in extreme cases. 

When one speaks about the increased pus cells in the urine, there is always a need for medical management along with lifestyle modification, as well as for seeking natural remedies. First, let us repeat several steps that should be done in this case: 

See A Doctor: To deal with pus cells in urine issues, one needs to be diagnosed properly. Most practitioners recommend:

Urinalysis: This test is done to detect the presence of any abnormalities like pus cells, red cells, or even bacteria in the urine. 

Urine Culture:- This is performed to determine the specific bacteria or other pathogen responsible for the infection.

The underlying rationale here is that when a condition is diagnosed sooner than later, timely appropriate treatment can already be administered at the earliest possible moment, therefore averting in this case, kidney damage, and recurring infections.

In most cases where bacterial infection etiology is upper urinary tract infection, the use of antibiotics is the main strategy used for the treatment of such conditions as UTI/kidney infection. The medications reduce the bacteria and also reduce the labia pus cells in urine. It is important to complete the prescribed antibiotics course to prevent resistance and further infection relapse. 

Drink Sufficient Water: The concept of hydration is important because it aids in the clearing of the urinary tract, hence the low content of pus cells in urine. To prevent complications, an individual should drink not less than 8-10 glasses of water daily to promote proper functioning of the urinary tract. 

• Cranberry Juice: Best recognized for its role in urinary tract infection prevention, long-term usage of cranberry juice or extracts will take away the ability of E. coli bacteria to reside in the bladder walls. 

• Herbal Teas: Other drinks such as tea made from dandelion root or chamomile tea aid in kidney health and assist in removing waste products from an individual’s body. 

Hygiene Practices for Individuals:- Proper practices of cleanliness will aid in averting gastric infections in the urinary tract. It will not generate pus cells in urine. Below are some of the key points:

• The female reproductive organs should be cleansed with unscented soap and plain water daily. 
• Wearing cotton underwear is designed to ensure proper ventilation at all times. 
• Using aggressive vaginal washes should be avoided. 

For menstruating persons, using sanitary pads or tampons for unobstructed periods of about 4-6 hours and changing them regularly is one way of minimizing infection caused by growing bacteria that results in pus cells in urine. 

Changes in Dietary Habits: To fight diseases, there must be a healthy and functioning immune system. To be included in the diet: 

• Foods containing PDV, i.e., the vitamin C: These consist of citrus fruits as well as strawberries and tomatoes, all of which serve the protective function of thus preventing urine acid bacteria.

• Probiotics: These are beneficial effects from foods like yogurt, fermented foods, and kefir, which are also preventive in the urinary system and overgrowth of gastrointestinal flora. They prevent bad bacteria present in the body, which helps to control inflammation and infection.

• Eliminate Bladder Irritants:- Some foods and drinks, including caffeine, alcohol, and spicy cuisine, will irritate the bladder and aggravate symptoms. The reduction of these will ease the discomfort. 

• Urinating Often:- Contrary to holding urine for long periods, which gives room for needless bacteria multiplication in the bladder, frequent urination helps to eliminate the growing bacteria in the urinary tract. 

Cranberry Extract or Supplements

Cranberry extract supplements have the same advantage when compared to cranberry juice, in most cases devoid of sugar additives.

Garlic Extract and D-mannose supplements 

• Garlic Extract:- Based on its antimicrobial effects, the extract of garlic is effective in diminishing the bacteria within the urinary tract. 

• D-Mannose:- Prevents bacterial infection of the bladder wall by presenting a sugar that inhibits its attachment to its host’s wall, thus preventing infections. 

Natural treatments should always be reviewed with a healthcare provider first.

In certain instances, the pus cells in urine may be excessively elevated, indicating a worse condition that requires prompt specialized attention. Go to the hospital if you have: 

• Abnormal and prolonged fever even with the use of medication.
• Excruciating pain on the lower sides of the back or the belly.
• Urine containing clots or streaks of blood.
• Zofran or other antiemetics, including nausea or vomiting. 
• Symptoms that become better but still painstakingly heal without improvement after treatment. 

Pus cells in urine should be taken seriously since they indicate either an infection or inflammation of the urinary system. Determining the primary reason for the formation of pus cells in urine through the use of tests and adapting to the doctor’s prescriptions, as well as drinking a lot of fluids and observing proper cleanliness, as well as good eating habits, can greatly help lower the pus cells in urine count and enhance urinary health.

Thus, addressing the issue of pus cells in urine at the initial stages helps to avoid complications and enables the urinary system to be healthy for a longer duration. If the underlying causes of pus cells in urine are recognized and dealt with, then a better and more tolerable way of living is assured.