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Department of Nephrology
What Causes Foamy Urine And Frequent Bathroom Trips? Experts Explain
May 22, 2026
Many Filipinos dismiss foamy urine and frequent nighttime urination as normal signs of aging. But health experts say these symptoms may sometimes indicate that the kidneys are under stress and should not be ignored.
For 58-year-old Roberto from Quezon City, waking up once at night used to be normal. But over the years, it became two times, then three, and eventually four or five trips to the bathroom every night.
At first, he blamed it on drinking too much water before bed.
Then he began noticing something else.
His urine often looked unusually foamy.
Some mornings, the bubbles remained in the toilet bowl long after flushing.
Like many Filipinos, Roberto ignored the warning signs.
"I thought it was just part of getting older," he said.
What he didn't realize was that persistent foamy urine can sometimes be associated with excess protein in the urine (proteinuria), which may occur when the kidneys' filtering system is not functioning normally.
Experts recommend medical evaluation if the symptom is persistent.
A Growing Health Concern Many People Overlook
According to international kidney health organizations, chronic kidney disease affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and many cases remain undiagnosed in the early stages because symptoms can be subtle.