Britt Jones
A change to urine habits has been linked to onset dementia, a new study has claimed.
While urine changes can be put down to increased water intake or other illnesses, there is one thing that stands out when linking them to the progressive disease.
Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022, making it the number one biggest killer in the country.
For those who have dementia, they can experience things like memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties, language problems, poor coordination and control of movements, depression, increased anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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While research has linked the guy and bowel habits like constipation to an increased risk of developing dementia, Swedish researchers have put two and two together about pee.
Specifically, what causes foamy urine.
If you haven’t experienced this, foamy wee looks exactly like it sounds- sort of like a beer head.
Dr Hong Xu, an assistant professor in neurobiology at the Karolinska Institute, said: “The kidneys and the brain may seem like very different organs, but they share an important characteristic: both depend on a delicate network of small blood vessels.
“When the blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, the same process often occurs in the brain.”
The scientists, including Hong Xu, made the link after tracking 130,000 over 65s in Stockholm who didn't have dementia.
Within four years, they found seven percent of the participants had developed dementia.
They looked at things like kidney function and other factors and found that those who had moderate levels of the protein albumin in their urine (between 30–299 mg/g) had 25 per cent more risk of developing dementia as they aged.
Those with levels of more than 300 mg/g, were then found to have a 37 per cent higher risk compared to people with up to 30 mg/g levels.
But this isn’t to say that those with high levels of albumin in the urine will get symptoms.
According to the Foundation, symptoms of albumin in the urine include foamy urine, frequent urination, puffy eyes, and swelling in the feet, ankles, stomach or face.
The scientists found that foamy wee had the strongest link for vascular dementia, which is the second most common form of dementia.
For Hong Xu, this shows that screenings for albumin excess, known as albuminuria, should be part of the diagnostic process.
She added: “These results underscore the importance of routine screening for albuminuria as part of early dementia risk assessment, especially in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or kidney disease.
“Early detection of albuminuria could potentially delay or prevent the onset of dementia.”
Writing in the Journal of Internal Medicine, the researchers went on to say: “Our statistical data suggest that increased albuminuria is associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia, particularly vascular and mixed dementia.
“Early detection of albuminuria may enable more proactive management of kidney health and cognitive function, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of dementia.”