A painless hematuria may be caused by various health conditions such as cancers. The blood may come from the kidneys or the collecting system. When a visible blood in the urine is seen, it may be a sign of. The causes of hematuria vary depending on the age of a woman and the underlying risk factors. Common Causes of Hematuria or Bloody Urine in Women are: Cystitis, Urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney infection, and pyelonephritis; Kidney stones and Ureteral stones can usually cause microscopic hematuria, but occasionally gross hematuria.
What is hematuria (blood in urine)?
Hematuria refers to a condition of red blood cells in the urine. This changes the color of the urine to red, pink or cola. However, sometimes the color of urine remains the same. Red blood cells in the urine can come from:
- Kidney (where urine is made)
- Urinary tract along with its parts like the ureters (tubes to carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder (where urine is stored), the prostate (in men), and the urethra (the tube that lets the urine out of the body)
Hematuria is not a life-threatening disease but it should not be ignored. And it is also important to investigate the factors that cause hematuria (mostly caused by a serious condition).
What are the types of hematuria?
Hematuria is classified into two types:
- Gross hematuria, and
- Microscopic hematuria
What is gross hematuria?
In gross hematuria, the blood in the urine can be seen with the naked eye as the color of the urine changes to pink, red, purplish-red, brownish-red, or cola.
What is microscopic hematuria?
Microscopic hematuria means that the color of the urine does not change but when viewed under a microscope, an increased number of red blood cells can be seen clearly.
What are the symptoms of hematuria?
In most of the cases, blood in the urine (gross or microscopic) is the only symptom of the disorder. In others, the patient may experience a variety of symptoms, such as the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased urinary force, hesitancy, incomplete voiding
- Fever
- Frequent urination (polyuria)
- Pain during urination (dysuria)
- Pain in the flank or side
- Urinary urgency
What are the causes of hematuria?
R words. In hematuria, the kidneys or urinary tract organs allow blood cells to leak into the urine. This may be because of any disorder or problem. Some of these problems are discussed below:
Urinary tract infections
Bacteria enter the body through the urethra and multiply in the bladder causing urinary tract infections in the urinary tract. Symptoms of such urinary tract infections include a persistent urge to urinate, pain with urination, and urine with an extremely strong and foul smell.
Kidney infections (pyelonephritis)
Bacteria may enter kidneys either from ureters or from the bloodstream. Signs and symptoms of bladder infections with fever and flank pain are seen in kidney infections.
A bladder or kidney stone
Stones are formed when the minerals in concentrated urine form crystals and stick to the walls of kidneys or bladder. With time, the crystals become smaller and harder. Initially, there are no symptoms but with time these stones can cause irritation and abrasion of the urinary tract, leading to hematuria.
Enlarged prostate
As men approach middle age, the prostate gland often enlarges. Enlarged prostate then compresses the urethra and block the urine flow partially which eventually leads to blood in urine.
Kidney disease
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that causes an inflammation of the kidney and affects its filtering system leading to microscopic blood in urine.
Cancer
Kidney cancer, bladder cancer or prostate cancer may result in visible bleeding in the urine.
Inherited disorders
Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary defect that affects hemoglobin in red blood cells. This disorder can cause blood in urine, both visible and microscopic hematuria. Alport syndrome is another example of inherited disorder which affects the filtering mechanism of the kidneys.
Kidney injury
Blood may be seen in urine after a blow or other injury to kidneys from an accident or sport.
Medications
Some medications may cause urinary bleeding including:
- Anti-cancer drug (cyclophosphamide)
- Penicillin
- Anticoagulant (aspirin and the blood thinner heparin)
Strenuous exercise
An intense workout may sometimes lead to urinary bleeding. Strenuous exercise may cause trauma to the bladder, dehydration or the breakdown of red blood cells.
What are the risk factors for hematuria?
Almost anyone (including children and teens) can have red blood cells in the urine. Factors that increase the chance of getting the disease include:
Age
Men older than 50 years of age may experience an enlarged prostate gland. This can increases their likelihood of getting occasional hematuria.
Sex
Over half of all females suffer from UTI (urinary tract infection) at least once in their lifetime which increases their risk of getting the disease hematuria.
A recent infection
Kidney inflammation increases the chances of visible urinary blood in children.
Family history
If a person has a family history of kidney disease or kidney stones, he or she is more prone to urinary bleeding.
Certain medications
Use of specific medicines like aspirin, anti-inflammatory pain relievers and some antibiotics make the person more susceptible to urinary bleeding.
Strenuous exercise
Long-distance runners are more prone to exercise-induced urinary bleeding (sometimes called jogger's hematuria. Slots of vegas phone number. Anyone who works out continuously and strenuously can develop the symptoms of the disease.
How is hematuria diagnosed?
Hematuria is diagnosed in a series of procedures which includes:
Medical History
Medical history helps the doctor to diagnose the cause of hematuria. In this process, the doctor may ask the patient about:
- A review of symptoms
- List of prescription and over-the-counter medications patient has been taking
- Current and past medical conditions
Physical Exam
Following the medical history is a physical exam in which the doctor physically examines the patient. A healthcare professional:
- Taps on the abdomen and back
- Check for pain or tenderness in the bladder and kidney area
- Perform a digital rectal exam on a man to look for any prostate problems
- Perform a pelvic examination of a woman's pelvis to know about the source of possible red blood cells in the urine
Urine tests
Urine tests are done to know about the cause of hematuria. This may include:
Urine cytology
Normally urine contains epithelial cells which shed from the urinary tract. Urine cytology evaluates this urinary sediment under a microscope.
Blood tests
Blood tests are done to look for any evidence of kidney or other diseases that may be responsible for hematuria.
CT scan
Computed tomography (CT scan) is done to examine the structure of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. A dye is injected into a vein just before the test to highlights any possible abnormalities. Kidney stones or abnormalities of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder can be easily seen with a CT scan.
Occasional Hematuria
Kidney ultrasound
It is used as an alternative to CT scan because some people are allergic to the dye used in CT. Ultrasound uses sound waves and creates a picture of the kidney's structure.
Cystoscopy
A small tube is inserted into the bladder through the urethra. The tube consists of a camera that shows the inner lining of the bladder. The healthcare professional examines the lining of the bladder and looks for any abnormalities. In presence of any abnormalities, a biopsy of the abnormal tissue is done. A sample of tissue is taken and is examined with a microscope to determine whether abnormal (cancerous) cells are present.
Kidney biopsy
Chronic Hematuria
A small piece of tissue from the kidney is removed and examined with a microscope for signs of kidney disease. This biopsy finds out any kidney disease if present that may have resulted in hematuria.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI is used to take pictures of the patient's internal organs and soft tissues without using x-rays. This test can help diagnose problems of internal organs (such as the bladder or kidney).
What are the treatment options for hematuria?
Treatment of hematuria basically depends on its causes and reason for the bleeding. The treatment is done in following ways:
When no cause is found
In cases where the cause of the hematuria remains unknown, repeated urinalyses is a reasonable option. Other tests like a blood test (to check kidney function) and a blood-pressure check should be done as well.
Men over 50 should go for an annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test (which is done to diagnose prostate cancer).
When the cause is urinary tract infection
The treatment for urinary tract infection might involve taking antibiotics. Following antibiotics are recommended to treat urinary tract infections:
- Trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Ceftriaxone
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
Read about treatment of urinary tract infection.
When the cause is enlarged prostate
Medications are prescribed in this case to shrink an enlarged prostate. Some of the medications include:
- Alpha blockers like alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax) and terazosin (Hytrin)
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar)
- A combination of alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase
When the cause is kidney or bladder stone
The stones in kidney and bladder can be treated in following ways:
- Sound waves are used to break the stones
- Surgery is done to remove the stones
How can Blood in urine (hematuria) be prevented?
Hematuria can be prevented if the underlying causes are prevented first. To prevent infections one should:
- Drink plenty of water daily
- Avoid holding the urge to urinate
- Urinate after every sexual intercourse
- Practice good hygiene
To prevent stones one should:
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid excess salt
- Regulate protein and oxalate intake
To prevent bladder cancer one should:
- Refrain from smoking
- Limit exposure to chemicals
- Drink plenty of water
To prevent kidney cancer, one should:
- Quit smoking
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid chemicals
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Try to be active and maintain a healthy weight
How to cure hematuria naturally?
There are plenty of home remedies that can help to naturally treat hematuria. Some of these home remedies are:
- Drinking lots of fluid and staying hydrated
- Drinking cranberry juice
- Drinking the combination of spinach juice and coconut water
- Eating bitter gourd regularly
- Drinking pomegranate juice
- Consuming foods that are high in vitamin C
What are the complications of hematuria?
Complications of hematuria also depend on the underlying causes which include:
- Ignoring cancer can lead to an advancement of the tumors that are no longer treatable.
- Untreated infections can eventually lead to chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure.
- Ignoring the enlarged prostate may lead to a need to urinate frequently, severe pain, and even prostate cancer if left untreated for a longer time.
- Untreated stones can be very painful.
When we see blood, the tendency is to panic. To be sure, blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, is not normal; however, it should be evaluated by a qualified urologist before drawing any conclusions as to its cause. Indeed, blood in the urine is not an uncommon sight in older males and is associated with many and varied conditions.
Hematuria is actually a common side-effect of untreated BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Since the prostate is directly involved in the urinary tract, it is no surprise that any leakage of blood related to this enlargement would be expelled through the urethra. Blood is a common cause for trips to the urologist and often leads to the diagnosis of BPH. While BPH is a benign condition, it should be evaluated and treated by a urologist promptly to avoid more significant symptoms. Should the blood not be caused by BPH, there are many other possible causes – both benign and malignant – which can include:
- Kidney problems. Kidney infections and kidney stones can be a contributing cause of blood in the urine. While kidneys are the workhorses of our urinary systems, they are also sensitive to changes in our bodies, especially as they relate to the urinary tract. Kidney problems should be diagnosed and treated before any ill-effects become permanent. Much like other organs in our bodies, the kidneys are also susceptible to malignancy or cancer which, especially in its advanced stages, can cause hematuria.
- Bladder problems. Another significant component of the urinary tract, the bladder can become infected causing blood in the urine. Known as a Urinary Tract Infection or UTI, a common cause of this infection is blockage leading to a backup of urine in the bladder (urinary retention). Bladder stones and bladder cancer are also causes of blood in the urine. Many bladder issues are themselves a symptom of an underlying condition such as BPH and therefore should be treated quickly to avoid long-term complications.
- Other Causes. There are many other possible causes of blood in the urine including injury to any component of the urinary tract – from sports to car accidents and the after-effects of some surgeries. Some medications may also cause a discoloration of urine or allow blood to enter the urine. Finally, certain foods can tint the urine red, however this is usually obvious, as the coloration is quite different from actual blood in the urine.
Hematuria Without Uti
Seeing blood in your urine is no reason for panic, however it is something that should be evaluated by a qualified urologist as soon as possible. If blood in the urine is significant or accompanied by other symptoms and signs of a medical emergency, it is important to contact 911 immediately. For hematuria caused by BPH, speaking to a specialized urologist can determine the best course of action.
