Hematuria (Blood in Urine) Symptoms - Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment | Max Lab

• ☞ Overview of Hematuria (Blood in Urine)
• ☞ What is Hematuria (Blood in Urine)?
• ☞ Causes of Blood in the Urine
• ☞ Symptoms of Blood in Urine
• ☞ Diagnosis of Blood in the Urine
• ☞ Treatment for Blood in the Urine
• ☞ Conclusion

Overview of Hematuria (Blood in Urine)

Bladder or kidney stones, or infections of these organs, can result in blood in the urine. There are multiple conditions and diseases that can lead to hematuria. These include kidney infections and cancer, as well as rare blood disorders.

Any time blood is present in the urine, it can be a sign of a serious health issue. Ignoring hematuria can lead to worsening conditions like cancer and kidney disease, so you should talk to your doctor as soon as you can. A doctor can analyze your urine and order imaging tests to determine the cause of the hematuria and create a plan for how to treat it.

What is Hematuria (Blood in Urine)?

Hematuria refers to blood in the urine. When the urine is red or pink, that may be linked to hematuria and is called "gross" or "visible" hematuria. Hematuria may also occur with no visible signs and is called "microscopic" hematuria since it can only be seen through a microscope.

During routine visits to your doctor, they may request that you give a urine sample so they can test you. The tests they typically do are looking for sugar (diabetes), bacteria (infection) and blood. If blood is detected, there might be a need to seek care by your health care provider.

Blood in your urine doesn't always mean something is wrong. If you have hematuria without other symptoms, it's probably not harmful. But if you have any other symptoms, or if the hematuria lasts for more than a day or two, see a doctor right away.

Causes of Blood in the Urine

There are many possible causes of blood in the urine. Some causes are more serious than others. Possible causes of blood in the urine include:

• Infection: A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common cause of blood in the urine.
• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause damage to the kidneys, which can lead to blood in the urine.
• Cancer: Blood in the urine can be a symptom of prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as aspirin and blood thinners, can cause blood in the urine.
• Trauma: An injury to the urinary tract can cause blood in the urine.

Symptoms of Blood in Urine

When blood in urine is found, it's called hematuria. There are several possible causes of hematuria. Some causes are benign, or not harmful, while others indicate a serious underlying medical condition.

• Pain in your side or back (flank) can be a sign of a kidney problem. The flank is the area between the last rib and the hip bone on either side of the body. If you have flank pain, it is important to see a doctor right away.
• Pain when you urinate (dysuria): If you're experiencing pain when you urinate, it's important to consult with a doctor to rule out any potential underlying causes. In some cases, the pain may be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones. UTIs are one of the most common infections, and can occur when bacteria enters the urinary system through the urethra.
• Urinating more often than usual: If you notice that you are urinating more often than usual, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Blood in the urine can be a sign of a kidney infection or other serious condition. If you see blood in your urine, it is important to see a doctor right away.
• Infection in Urine: When you have blood in your urine, it's called hematuria. It can happen for many reasons, and it's usually not a sign of anything serious. Sometimes, though, it can be a sign of a kidney stone or another problem.

If you have hematuria, your urine may look pink, red, or brownish. You might also see clumps of blood in your urine.

Diagnosis of Blood in the Urine

There are many possible causes of blood in urine. To determine the cause, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical examination. They may also order one or more of the following tests:

• Urinalysis: This test can help detect red blood cells, white blood cells, and/or bacteria in your urine.
• Imaging tests: These tests can help identify structural problems in your urinary tract, such as kidney stones or tumors. Imaging tests include ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs.
• Cystoscopy: This test allows your doctor to look inside your bladder using a small camera. They may also take a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) during this procedure.
• Kidney function tests: Kidney Function Tests can help evaluate how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.

Treatment for Blood in the Urine

If you're experiencing blood in urine, also called hematuria, it's important to seek medical attention. While it could be caused by something as benign as strenuous exercise, it could also be a sign of a serious condition like kidney disease or cancer.

Your doctor will likely start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical exam. They may also order urine tests and imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the blood in urine.

If there's no sign of illness or injury, your doctor may recommend that you drink more fluids and take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen. If an infection is causing the blood in urine, you'll likely need antibiotics. If you have kidney stones, you may need pain relief and medication to help dissolve the stones. If hematuria is due to a bleeding disorder, you'll need treatment for that condition. And if cancer is causing the blood in urine, you'll need cancer treatment.

Conclusion

The presence of blood in urine is often an indicator of a serious medical condition. If you experience any blood in urine symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition can often help to improve the prognosis and prevent further complications from developing.