Blood in Urine – Is There a Problem?

The medical term for blood in the urine is hematuria. Hematuria itself is not a disease. However, it often signals a health condition, and for this reason, this type of symptom should not be underestimated.

There are two possible scenarios:

• In the first case, the urine appears pink or red or has spots of blood visible to the naked eye. If you’re experiencing this, consult your doctor immediately. During this time, be more careful and observe the excreted urine for new traces of spots of blood. It is possible that the reason is harmless, but you will know this for sure only after an examination by a specialist to whom your GP will refer you.

• The second option is to detect the presence of red blood cells in the urine in a random or scheduled test. This means that the problem may have existed for a long time, but so far, it has remained undetected. Further tests are yet to be done to determine the cause of this condition.

As already mentioned, the cause of urine appearing pink or red can be quite trivial. You may have had too much carbonated beverages containing a large amount of poor-quality colorants. The intake of certain foods can also cause such an effect, especially red beets. However, when a health problem is evident, the possibilities are most often the following:

Urological problem

This possibility is almost always the starting point. Inflammation of the urinary tract, such as cystitis, is among the most common causes of blood in the urine. Other similar conditions are enlarged prostate, the presence of stones or sand in the kidneys, cancer, and others.

Another reason

If the above-mentioned problems are ruled out, then the cause should be sought elsewhere. Various diseases of the blood, blood vessels, consequences of taking certain medicines, neurological problems – they can all lead to this condition.

There may not always be warning symptoms to indicate a problem. Thus, a lot of people neglect their condition. However, if they feel unwell and in pain, they are much more likely to see a specialist.

It is surprising how many patients postpone seeing a doctor simply out of fear. Some are anxious about possible procedures, others of the possibility that they may hear an unpleasant diagnosis. Whatever the reason, a visit to a specialist should not be delayed. The problem will not go away on its own; rather, it will probably worsen, and the patient’s condition will exacerbate. The treatment process in such cases is longer, slower and, of course, more expensive.

How do we detect a problem?

In order to establish the reason for the blood in the urine, an ultrasound scan is usually done. It provides additional information on the condition of the organs. Adequate treatment is administered in combination with laboratory tests. If in doubt, your doctor may order a cystoscopy. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and gives a clear picture of the condition of the urinary tract and the bladder itself. Additionally, tissue may be taken for histological examination in order to confirm or rule out certain doubts. Other possible procedures are MRI, tomography, microbiological examination.

Based on the tests carried out, appropriate therapy is prescribed to manage the problem in the long run. The prognosis is usually good, and there is no life-threatening condition. In some cases, symptoms prove the development of a cancerous problem that requires prompt action and adequate treatment.

Remember:

If you notice traces of blood in your urine, it is essential to do the following things that will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

• Remember what medicines you have been taking over the last few days or currently. There is good possibility that the bleeding is the result of a side effect of these medications. Write down their names to show to the doctor;
• If you have been exercising hard or doing strenuous physical activity, this could also cause bleeding. Make sure to mention it;
• If you are not familiar with the diseases in your family, ask relatives and gather such information. Kidney diseases in your relatives can be inherited, so this information is important;
• Now is the time to remember all the signs of an inflammatory condition that you may have experienced over the last days without paying it much mind. This may be the cause of hematuria;
• If you are a man and you have a prostate problem, albeit undiagnosed, tell your doctor.