Blood in urine - known medically as hematuria - is usually not a reason for major alarm. It shouldn't be ignored because blood in urine can be a sign of a serious medical condition. All cases of it should be appraised by a doctor who can order tests to confirm or rule out an underlying cause. Since it's a symptom and not a specific condition there is any specific treatment for it. Instead, treatment is intended at the underlying cause if one can be found. No treatment is necessary in many cases.
Where Blood in Urine Might Come From
Blood in urine can come from the kidneys, where it is made. It also can come from other structures in the urinary tract:
• Ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder).
• Bladder (where urine is stored).
• Urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body).
Symptoms That May Accompany Hematuria
The symptom is obvious if there is blood in urine. Instead of its normal pale yellow color, your urine may be pink, brownish-red, red, or tea-colored. It may occur without any other symptoms. However, some underlying causes are associated with additional symptoms that can be moderate or severe and they are:
• Acute cystitis (bladder infection): In adults, it usually causes pain or burning with urination. Infants with bladder infections may feed poorly, have fever, and be irritable.
• Pyelonephritis (Kidney infection): Symptoms may include chills, fever, and flank pain, which refers to pain in the lower back.
• Kidney stones: Symptoms may include severe pelvic or abdominal pain.
• Kidney diseases: Symptoms may include high blood pressure, weakness, and body
Causes of Hematuria:
• Kidney or bladder infections.
• Kidney or bladder stones.
• Kidney diseases, like inflammation in the filtering system of the kidneys.
• Prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.
• Cystic kidney disease and sickle cell anemia.
• Certain medications such as penicillin, aspirin, cyclophosphamide, heparin, and phenazopyridine.
• A tumor in the bladder, prostate or kidney.
• Kidney injury from a sports or an accident.
• Vigorous exercise.
Treatment of Hematuria
Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. Your doctor will recheck your urine to see if the blood is gone after treatment. If you still have blood in your urine, you may be referred to an urologist or you need additional tests. No treatment is necessary unless a serious condition is causing the hematuria.
If no cause is found during the initial evaluation, you may be advised to have blood pressure monitoring and follow-up urine testing every three to six months, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as being age 50 or older, exposure to certain industrial chemical or smoking cigarettes.
Where Blood in Urine Might Come From
Blood in urine can come from the kidneys, where it is made. It also can come from other structures in the urinary tract:
• Ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder).
• Bladder (where urine is stored).
• Urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body).
Symptoms That May Accompany Hematuria
The symptom is obvious if there is blood in urine. Instead of its normal pale yellow color, your urine may be pink, brownish-red, red, or tea-colored. It may occur without any other symptoms. However, some underlying causes are associated with additional symptoms that can be moderate or severe and they are:
• Acute cystitis (bladder infection): In adults, it usually causes pain or burning with urination. Infants with bladder infections may feed poorly, have fever, and be irritable.
• Pyelonephritis (Kidney infection): Symptoms may include chills, fever, and flank pain, which refers to pain in the lower back.
• Kidney stones: Symptoms may include severe pelvic or abdominal pain.
• Kidney diseases: Symptoms may include high blood pressure, weakness, and body
Causes of Hematuria:
• Kidney or bladder infections.
• Kidney or bladder stones.
• Kidney diseases, like inflammation in the filtering system of the kidneys.
• Prostate cancer or enlarged prostate.
• Cystic kidney disease and sickle cell anemia.
• Certain medications such as penicillin, aspirin, cyclophosphamide, heparin, and phenazopyridine.
• A tumor in the bladder, prostate or kidney.
• Kidney injury from a sports or an accident.
• Vigorous exercise.
Treatment of Hematuria
Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. Your doctor will recheck your urine to see if the blood is gone after treatment. If you still have blood in your urine, you may be referred to an urologist or you need additional tests. No treatment is necessary unless a serious condition is causing the hematuria.
If no cause is found during the initial evaluation, you may be advised to have blood pressure monitoring and follow-up urine testing every three to six months, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as being age 50 or older, exposure to certain industrial chemical or smoking cigarettes.