Blood In Urine (Hematuria)

Seeing blood in your urine, called hematuria, can be alarming. Often, the cause is not serious. However, blood in your urine can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health issue.

There are two main types of hematuria. Gross hematuria means you can actually see the blood in your urine. It looks reddish or pinkish. Microscopic hematuria means there's blood in your urine, but it's present in such a small amount that you can't see it without a microscope. A lab test on a urine sample is needed to detect this type. Either way, it's important to find out why you're seeing blood in your urine.

The treatment for blood in urine depends entirely on what's causing it. Different causes require different approaches.

Urine that has blood in it can appear pink, red, or brownish-red, like cola. This happens because tiny red blood cells are present in the urine. Even a small number of these cells can make the urine look different.

Blood in the urine often doesn't cause pain. However, if clumps of blood (called clots) are passed in your urine, you might experience discomfort.

If your urine looks like it might have blood in it, see a doctor right away.

Blood in urine isn't always from your own blood cells. Sometimes, medicines can make urine turn red. For example, a medicine called phenazopyridine, used to treat urinary tract problems, can do this. Certain foods, like beets and rhubarb, can also cause urine to appear red.

It's not always easy to figure out if the change in urine color is due to blood. That's why it's crucial to have a doctor check it out. Seeing a healthcare provider is the best way to be sure what's causing the change and get the right treatment.

Blood in Urine (Hematuria): Causes and When to See a Doctor

Blood in your urine, called hematuria, happens when blood cells leak into your urine. This leakage can stem from various issues affecting your kidneys or urinary tract. Here are some possible reasons:

Infections:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Bacteria entering the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) can multiply in the bladder. This often leads to blood in the urine, which might look red, pink, or brown. Other UTI symptoms include a strong and frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning during urination, and a strong-smelling urine.
• Kidney Infections (Pyelonephritis): Bacteria can reach the kidneys from the bloodstream or from the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder (ureters). Kidney infections share similar urine-related symptoms as UTIs, but are more likely to cause fever and pain in the back, side, or groin.

Other Conditions:

• Kidney Stones or Bladder Stones: Minerals in urine can form crystals that over time turn into small, hard stones in the kidneys or bladder. These stones are often painless, but can be extremely painful if they block the flow of urine or pass through the urinary tract. Blood in the urine from stones can sometimes be easily seen, and other times only detectable with lab tests.
• Kidney Disease (Glomerulonephritis): In this condition, the tiny filters in the kidneys that remove waste from the blood become inflamed. Blood in the urine, often only noticeable with lab tests, is a common sign of glomerulonephritis. This disease can be part of a wider health problem, such as diabetes, or occur on its own.
• Cancer: Blood in urine, especially noticeable blood, can be a sign of advanced kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer. Early detection is crucial, so it's important to see a doctor if you notice this symptom.
• Inherited Illnesses: Conditions like sickle cell anemia (affecting red blood cells) or Alport syndrome (damaging tiny blood vessels in the kidneys) can also cause blood in the urine. The blood cells may be large enough to see or too small to be seen with the naked eye.
• Kidney Injury: A blow or other trauma to the kidneys, such as from an accident or contact sports, can lead to blood in the urine.
• Medications: Certain medications, including some cancer drugs (like cyclophosphamide), antibiotics (like penicillin), blood thinners (like heparin), and blood-clotting inhibitors (like aspirin), have been linked to blood in the urine as a possible side effect.
• Heavy Exercise: Blood in the urine can sometimes occur after intense physical activity, like contact sports (e.g., football) or long-distance running. This may be due to bladder damage, but the exact cause isn't always clear. While it often resolves on its own within a week, it's still important to consult a healthcare provider.

Important Note: If you notice blood in your urine, especially after exercise, don't ignore it. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the underlying cause. In many cases, the exact cause of blood in the urine is unknown. A healthcare professional can properly diagnose and treat the cause.

Blood in urine, also called hematuria, can happen to almost anyone, even children and teenagers. Several factors can increase the likelihood of this happening.

• Age: As people get older, particularly men in middle age and beyond, they might be more prone to blood in their urine. This is sometimes due to an enlarged prostate gland. Additionally, the chance of certain cancers that can cause blood in urine rises with age, especially after 50. This is because the risk of these cancers increases over time.

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTIs are a frequent cause of blood in urine, especially in children. A UTI is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary system, from the bladder to the kidneys. The infection can irritate the urinary tract lining and cause bleeding.

• Family History: If someone has a family history of kidney disease, their chances of experiencing blood in their urine might be higher. This is because certain genetic factors or shared environmental influences might increase the risk. For instance, if a family member has a genetic predisposition to kidney disease, the individual might also be more susceptible.

• Certain Medications: Some medicines, including pain relievers, blood thinners, and antibiotics, can increase the risk of blood in urine. These medications can sometimes have side effects that include harming the delicate lining of the urinary tract, potentially leading to bleeding.

• Strenuous Exercise: People who engage in intense physical activity, like marathon running or contact sports, can sometimes experience blood in their urine. The intense exertion can cause minor damage to the delicate blood vessels in the urinary tract. The repeated stress on these vessels over time can increase the chances of small tears or bleeding.

It's important to remember that blood in urine isn't always a sign of a serious problem. However, if you notice blood in your urine, it's crucial to see a doctor to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.

A cystoscopy is a medical procedure where a doctor uses a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to look inside your bladder and urethra (the tubes that carry urine out of your body). This allows them to see if there are any problems, like a bladder stone. The same tube can also be used to insert tiny surgical tools to treat some urinary problems.

Doctors use cystoscopy to find issues in the bladder and urethra, helping them identify potential causes of problems like blood in the urine.

Several tests help determine the reason behind blood in your urine:

• Physical Exam: Your doctor will talk to you about your medical history to get a better picture of your overall health.
• Urine Tests: These tests can check for blood in your urine and are useful for tracking whether the blood continues to be present. They can also detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) and substances linked to kidney stones. Repeating these tests over weeks or months provides valuable information.
• Imaging Tests: Often, imaging is needed to pinpoint the cause of the blood. This might include a CT scan, MRI scan, or ultrasound. Each of these uses different technologies to create images of the inside of your body.
• Cystoscopy: As mentioned earlier, a cystoscopy involves inserting a thin tube with a camera into your bladder to directly examine it for any signs of illness or abnormalities.

Sometimes, despite these tests, the reason for blood in the urine isn't found. In these cases, regular check-ups are crucial, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer. Smoking, radiation therapy to your pelvis, and exposure to certain chemicals are examples of such risk factors. Regular follow-up allows your doctor to monitor any potential problems and adjust treatment as needed.

Blood in your urine can have different causes, and the best treatment depends on what's causing it. Here are some possibilities:

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): If the blood is due to a UTI, antibiotics are often prescribed to get rid of the infection. A UTI is a bacterial infection in the urinary tract, which includes your bladder and kidneys. Symptoms of a UTI can include painful urination, frequent urination, and sometimes a burning sensation.

• Enlarged Prostate: If the problem is an enlarged prostate, a doctor might prescribe medication to help shrink it. An enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and sometimes cause bleeding.

• Kidney or Bladder Stones: If stones are the issue, a procedure using sound waves (called lithotripsy) might be used to break them up. Kidney or bladder stones are hard deposits that can form in the urinary tract. They can cause significant pain and bleeding as they move through the urinary system.

• No Treatment Needed: In some cases, the blood in the urine might not need any treatment at all. This could happen if the cause is something minor or temporary. Your doctor will determine if treatment is necessary.

• Follow-up Care: If you do need treatment, it's important to follow up with your doctor to make sure the blood in your urine has stopped. This is a crucial step to ensure the problem is resolved. Your doctor will monitor you and adjust the treatment plan as needed.