Hematuria: Symptoms And Causes

The word hematuria is the medical term used to define the presence of blood in the urine. Seeing blood in your urine can be scary. However, many different things can cause this condition, and not all of them are serious.

Sometimes the blood can be seen with the naked eye. However, this does not always happen. Therefore, specialists divide hematuria into two main types: macroscopic and microscopic. Doctors may request certain tests to diagnose microscopic hematuria.

Many people come to the doctor because of this condition. It occurs in approximately 16% of the general population. As we mentioned above, it can be a symptom of a wide variety of conditions, from infection to cancer.

Therefore, it is important to know what it is, as well as its symptoms and causes. In this article, we therefore explain the most important aspects of hematuria.

What is hematuria?

Under normal circumstances, urine does not contain blood. Hematuria is defined as the presence of red blood cells in the urine, detected by certain laboratory techniques.

Hematuria occurs because the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract pass blood cells into the urine. Urine may then take on a red color or remain the normal color. This marks the difference between macroscopic (blood you can see) and microscopic (blood you can’t see).

The main causes of hematuria

In many cases, it is not possible to find the exact cause of hematuria. The most common processes that cause blood to pass into the urine are:

• Urinary tract infections. These are relatively common, especially in women. This is because the urethra in women is close to the anus and therefore the bacteria present in it can easily get into it.
• Kidney Infections. This condition is called pyelonephritis. Bacteria can reach the kidneys through the blood or ureters.

• prostate problems. When the prostate gets bigger, which usually happens with age, the urethra is compressed. This can block the flow of urine and cause hematuria. The same goes for prostate infections.
• Bladder or kidney stones. Some minerals in urine tend to accumulate. They solidify and form crystals that turn into small stones. When these stones travel through the urinary tract, they can block it, leading to blood in the urine.
• Cancer. Hematuria can be a sign of bladder, prostate, or kidney cancer. However, it usually manifests in advanced stages, making diagnosis difficult.
• Glomerulonephritis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, which are small kidney filters.

• Certain medications, such as anticoagulants or cancer drugs, can also cause this.

As you can see, there are many things that can cause hematuria. Scientists have even linked hematuria to strenuous exercise, as well as trauma or dehydration. That is why it is important to see a doctor to find out the cause.

The symptoms

Macroscopic hematuria manifests as red or brownish urine. Usually it is not painful and is not accompanied by other symptoms. However, the manifestation of certain symptoms can guide the diagnosis of the cause.

Fever and low back pain, for example, indicate a kidney infection. If hematuria is accompanied by increased urination or a burning sensation when urinating, the cause is usually in the lower urinary tract.

In addition, asymptomatic, and continuous hematuria associated with blood clots may be caused by a renal tumor. This is also one of the reasons why it is essential for men aged 40 and over to have prostate exams.

Conclusion

As we have explained in this article, hematuria can be related to various diseases. In addition, in some cases it is not visible to the naked eye. That is why it is important to have regular medical checkups. We recommend regular urine tests to detect the possible presence of blood.

So don’t forget to keep a close eye on your urine. You should pay attention to the color of the urine, as well as the frequency and any abnormal sensations. Any change can indicate a disease. Make sure to ask your doctor questions if you are still in doubt.