Blood in Urine

Blood in the urine is known medically as either gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria. If the urine appears red, pinkish or cola colored this is known as gross hematuria. If red blood cells are present in the urine but cannot be detected through appearance, this is indicative of microscopic hematuria. Since microscopic hematuria is so hard to detect, it is usually only caught by a doctor after a urine test.

Having blood in your urine can be the symptom of various complications. One of the most common is a urinary tract infection, usually of the bladder; otherwise known as cystitis. Other causes of hematuria might include bladder or kidney stones, enlargement of the prostrate gland, tumors in the kidney or bladder and nephritis (kidney disease).

An injury or a trauma to the lower abdomen and groin can also cause hematuria. If damage occurs to the kidneys, uretheral opening, bladder or prostrate, red blood cells can enter the urine. Medications have also been known to cause hematuria, especially blood thinning medications.

Often hematuria is not accompanied by other symptoms. However, sometimes a burning sensation (dysuria) will be felt while urinating. Other possible symptoms might include decreased appetite (and subsequent weight loss), fever, nausea and pain in the lower abdomen.

Having blood appear in the urine is not always caused by a serious condition. In fact, sometimes it is completely harmless. Sometimes hematuria can be produced after strenuous exercise, especially in men. This is often called exercise hematuria and is short-lived and usually nothing to worry about. In women, blood can enter the urine during menstruation. In such cases, hematuria is harmless and not produced by any serious complications. Still, a physician should always be consulted if blood is discovered in the urine. Hematuria may be the sign that a more serious condition is developing. A visit to a physician may help treat the illness before it requires serious intervention.

In order to diagnose hematuria, a doctor will want to take a sample of urine in order to confirm the condition. You will probably be questioned about your family’s medical history; especially about a history of kidney disease or bladder problems. The physician will also inquire about possible recent infections, traumas, medications or discomfort during urination. A urinalysis, urine culture, ultrasound, blood test or any number of other examinations will be conducted in order to test for red blood cells in the urine, infections or complications.

How long can you expect to wait for hematuria to go away? This depends entirely on the cause and treatment you undergo. If caused by a kidney stone or bladder infection, hematuria will disappear when you have passed the stone or the infection goes away. If you have exercise hematuria you can expect a day or two to pass until your urine has returned to normal.

How can you prevent hematuria from developing in the first place? Lead a healthy lifestyle that will prevent the cause of blood entering your urine at all. This means drinking lots of water and staying well hydrated, reducing overly strenuous exercise and avoiding smoking, as cigarette usage has been linked to urinary tract cancers.