This page will help you answer your questions.
What is hematuria?
Hematuria is the medical term for the presence of blood in the urine.
When the urine appears red or pink in color, it may be due to blood in the urine, which is called “visible hematuria.”
Sometimes, blood is present in the urine but cannot be easily seen; this is called “microscopic hematuria,” because it can only be detected under a microscope.
What are the causes of hematuria?
There are many different causes of blood in the urine, some more serious than others. These conditions may include infections or stones, such as:
Diseases and problems of the urinary tract, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Enlarged prostate in older men
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Menstrual period in women
- Prostate infection
- Kidney diseases
- Bladder cancer (mostly in smokers)
- Kidney cancer
- Cancer of the lining of the urinary tract
Urinary tract cancers are rarely the cause of blood in the urine, but they can be life-threatening.
Other causes not related to urinary tract diseases may include:
- The use of anticoagulants and blood thinners
- Certain blood disorders that cause increased bleeding
How do you deal with hematuria? Tips to help you cope with hematuria
The treatment of hematuria strongly depends on its actual cause, including:
- Hematuria caused by infection: Treated with antibiotics, which work by killing the bacteria causing the infection and stopping the bleeding.
- Enlarged prostate: Usually treated by urologists.
- Cancer: The doctor may resort to several procedures depending on your health condition. This may include monitoring, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these options.
- Kidney diseases: Treated with medications, which may include diuretics, drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and erythropoietin to build red blood cells if you have anemia.
When should you see a doctor?
You should never ignore the presence of blood in your urine. It is important to contact your healthcare provider if you notice blood in your urine or if you have other symptoms associated with hematuria.
Frequently Asked Questions
I noticed my urine turned red and there was blood in it. Does this mean I have kidney cancer?
No, there are many reasons that can cause blood in the urine, and most of them are benign and treatable, such as urinary tract infections.
