Blood In The Urine: Symptoms And Causes Of Hematuria

The word “hematuria” is the medical term used to define the presence of blood in the urine. Seeing blood in the urine can be scary. However, there are many factors that can cause this symptom and not all denote the presence of a serious health problem.

Sometimes the blood in the urine can be seen with the naked eye. However, this does not happen every time. Therefore, specialists divide hematuria into two main categories: raw and microscopic. Doctors may request certain tests to diagnose microscopic hematuria.

Many people go to the doctor because of this condition. Its prevalence rate is about 16% of the global population. Also, as mentioned above, hematuria can be a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, from a common infection to cancer. Therefore, it is important to know what hematuria is, as well as what its symptoms and causes are.

In this article, we will explain the most important aspects of hematuria.

Did you notice blood in the urine? Find out what hematuria is!

Under normal circumstances, urine does not contain blood. Hematuria is defined as the presence of red blood cells in the urine, observed by certain laboratory techniques. Hematuria occurs because the kidneys or other segments of the urinary tract allow blood cells to pass into the urine. Urine may turn red or remain the same. This marks the difference between raw hematuria (blood you can see) and microscopic hemorrhage (blood you can’t see).

The main causes for which you may have blood in your urine

• Urinary tract infections. These are relatively common, especially in women. The female urethra is close to the anus, and the bacteria present in it can easily pass into it.
• Kidney infections. This condition is called pyelonephritis. Bacteria can reach the kidneys through the blood or ureters.
• Prostate problems. When the prostate enlarges, which tends to occur with age, it compresses the urethra. This can block the flow of urine and cause bleeding. The same goes for prostate infections.
• Kidney or bladder stones. Some minerals present in the urine tend to accumulate. They solidify and form crystals that turn into small stones. When these stones pass through the urinary tract, they can block it, which leads to the appearance of blood in the urine.
• Cancer. Hematuria can be a sign of bladder, prostate or kidney cancer. Hematuria usually manifests itself in advanced stages, which makes it difficult to establish a correct diagnosis in a timely manner.
• Glomerulonephritis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, tiny filters in the kidneys. Diabetes, infections, blood diseases or other diseases can trigger this health problem.
• Certain medications, such as anticoagulants or anti-cancer drugs, can also cause blood to appear in the urine.

As you can see, there are many things that can cause hematuria. Scientists have also correlated hematuria with exercise, trauma or dehydration. Therefore, it is important to go to the doctor to determine the cause of hematuria.

Symptoms of hematuria

Macroscopic hematuria manifests itself in the form of red or brown urine. It is usually not painful and is not accompanied by other symptoms. However, the appearance of certain signs can help determine the cause of hematuria.

For example, fever and lower back pain may be indicative of a kidney infection. If the hematuria is accompanied by excessive urination or a burning sensation during urination, the cause is usually in the lower urinary tract.

In addition, asymptomatic and continuous hematuria, accompanied by clots, can be caused by a kidney tumor. This is one of the reasons why it is essential for men aged 40 and over to undergo regular prostate exams.

Conclusion

As we explained in this article, hematuria can be related to the presence of many diseases. Moreover, in some cases, it is not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, it is important to go for regular checkups. We recommend that you test your urine regularly to detect the possible presence of blood.

Don’t forget to examine your urine on your own from time to time. Pay attention to the color as well as the frequency of urination and any abnormal sensations, as any symptoms can indicate a disease. If you have any questions or are confused, go to the doctor with confidence.