There are two types of blood in your urine. Blood you can see with the naked eye (gross hematuria) and blood that can only be seen using a microscope (microscopic hematuria).
Many instances of hematuria are harmless, but some could be the result of a more serious condition.
If you have gross hematuria, it is important to see a provider to determine the cause.
Symptoms of Hematuria
Blood in your urine can cause a color change, with urine appearing pink, red, or brown. In many cases, passing blood in your urine is not painful.
What Causes Blood in Urine?
There are many causes of hematuria. It is best to be evaluated by a physician if you have gross hematuria. They can help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Causes for hematuria include:
Urinary tract infection – UTIs begin as an infection in your urethra, but if left untreated, they can spread to the ureters and kidneys. Symptoms of a UTI can include Pressure or pain in your lower pelvis or abdomen, frequent or urgent need to urinate, and foul-smelling urine. Read more…
Enlarged Prostate – BPH, or an enlarged prostate, affects men most often over 50 and constricts the urine tube that runs through the center of the prostate.
Kidney or bladder stones – Kidney stones are hard masses or crystals that build up on the inside of your kidneys. They can vary in size from a grain of salt to a golf ball.
Prostatitis/Prostate infection – Affecting only men, Prostatitis is swelling and irritation of the prostate gland, often caused by a bacterial infection.
Kidney Disease – Microscopic bleeding is a common symptom of the kidney’s filtering system being inflamed, known as glomerulonephritis.
Kidney injury – Contact sports or impact from an accident can cause blood in your urine. To prevent injury in some activities like motocross and off-road racing, a tight-fitting wrap known as a kidney belt is worn. This device can help restrict movement and injury during extreme activities.
Bladder cancer (mostly in smokers) – Bladder cancer usually begins in the inner lining of the bladder, in special cells called transitional cells. It can also grow in other parts of your urinary tract system including your kidneys, ureters, and urethra.
Kidney cancer – Early on kidney tumors do not produce symptoms but may be detected incidentally during the evaluation of an unrelated problem. As the tumor grows, symptoms may develop such as a lump or pain in your side, back, or abdomen or blood in your urine. If the tumor spreads to other organs, symptoms may develop in those organs. Read more…
Blood-thinning and anticoagulant medication – drugs such as aspirin, coumadin/warfarin, and heparin, normally in combination with another condition in your urinary tract.
Strenuous workout – In rare cases, strenuous exercise may lead to blood in your urine. It could be due to injury to your organs or dehydration. The most common exercise to cause blood in urine is running.
You should never assume that blood in your urine is from exercise – always see a medical provider when you have blood in your urine.
What is the treatment for blood in urine?
Treatment will depend on what is causing blood to be present in your urine. It’s also possible that no cause will be able to be determined, even with extensive testing.
Do you currently have blood in your urine? Make an appointment today.