Pneumaturia is defined as air bubbles that go along with urine. This might be an indication of some health conditions.
The usual causes for pneumaturia can include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and fistulas.
If an individual has pneumaturia, a gas or bubbling sensation can be felt disrupting the stream of urine. The urine might appear to be full of miniature air bubbles.
Since this is a sign of other health conditions, watch out for other signs that might be present such as:
- Difficulty urinating
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Feeling the urge to “go” all the time
- Discolored urine
All these signs might indicate an infection in the urinary tract.
What are the usual causes?
A usual cause of pneumaturia is infectious bacteria. It might be a sign of UTI since the bacteria produces bubbles in the urine stream.
A fistula is another possible cause for the condition which is a passage between organs in the body that does not belong there. The presence of a fistula amidst the bowel and bladder can add bubbles into the urine stream.
Management of pneumaturia
The treatment for pneumaturia is based on the underlying cause. For UTIs, it is managed with a course of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria in the urinary tract. Pneumaturia should settle once the infection is eliminated.
If a fistula is present, the doctor might suggest laparoscopic surgery.
What is the outlook?
The outlook for pneumaturia is based on the root cause of the symptoms. If the individual is diagnosed with UTI, the symptoms might settle with antibiotics.
For a fistula due to diverticulitis, the treatment might involve several measures until it fully resolves.