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The presence of blood in the urine is clinically referred to as hematuria. It is a common condition, especially in adults, and in the vast majority of cases it does not involve any serious condition.
The urine is one of the ways that our body expels all toxins. The process begins in the kidneys, and urine “travels” through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored until it is expelled from the body. Well, during some of the phases of this process the blood can come into contact with the urine, giving rise to hematuria.
What types of hematuria are there?
Two types of hematuria can be differentiated, depending on their magnitude.
- Microscopic hematuria: blood that is present in the urine but cannot be seen with the naked eye, only through the microscope, is called as such. Therefore, only those patients who undergo urinalysis are diagnosed. In the vast majority of cases, this condition disappears without causing any kind of problem in patients.
- Gross hematuria: occurs when the amount of blood present in the urine is greater and, therefore, visible to the naked eye. In many cases, the urine takes on a reddish tone of greater or lesser intensity. In some cases it remits without causing any problem, although in certain cases it may be the first symptom of a serious illness.
What are the causes of blood in urine?
The causes of hematuria are many and varied. The presence of blood in the urine is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a possible condition.
Urinary infection
This is one of the most common causes of bloody urine, especially among women. Generally, when a urinary infection occurs there are other symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort when urinating and even fever .
It is not a serious ailment, but it is advisable to go to the doctor to establish a treatment based on antibiotics. Left untreated, a UTI can trigger a more serious condition: pyelonephritis . It is an infection that occurs in the kidneys.
Prostate infection
In men over 50 years of age, the prostate can cause certain urination problems due to its thickening, thus leading to hematuria. Treatment varies markedly between patients; from medications to surgery.
Renal colic
Almost 100% of colic originating in the kidneys cause microscopic or macroscopic hematuria. It is a condition in which one or more stones lodge in the urinary tract , causing a tear in the walls and, thus, bleeding that is expelled from the body in the urine.
Kidney mass
Although it is not one of the most common causes of hematuria, it can also occur. It happens when there is a tumor in the kidney or urinary system , which can be benign or malignant. The most common treatment is surgery.
Diagnosis of hematuria
In the presence of blood in the urine, it is important to see a doctor. As we have pointed out, in the vast majority of cases it is not a warning sign of any serious disease, but it is still essential to know what causes it.
First, the doctor asks a series of questions about the hematuria, as well as the general state of the patient’s health. The first step is to request a urinalysis to check whether or not it contains red blood cells. In addition, this test can determine whether or not there is a urinary tract infection, as well as the presence of kidney stones through the presence of minerals.
Depending on the results obtained with the urinalysis, the doctor may order an imaging test, usually an ultrasound. An additional test is cystoscopy to look at the bladder.
Treatment of hematuria
The treatment of hematuria depends fundamentally on what is its cause. If it is an infection , which is usually the most common, the usual treatment is taking antibiotics. If the blood in the urine has resulted from trauma, the only possible treatment is rest and fluid intake.
In the event that the doctor detects the presence of kidney stones , the recommended treatment may be surgery. In the same way, if there are cancerous tissues that cause the expulsion of urine with blood, it is necessary to intervene and / or perform a chemotherapy treatment.
Of course, the treatment also depends on the age of the patient ; The presence of blood in the urine of a child, that of an athlete, or that of an elderly person has nothing to do with it.
Risk factor’s
There are a number of factors that increase the chances of blood in the urine.
- Age: Generally, this condition occurs in men and women over the age of 50.
- Family history: Genetics can also play a significant role in this condition. People with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to have hematuria.
- Medications: There are also certain medications such as aspirin that increase the risk of bleeding.
As we have pointed out, hematuria is not a disease in itself, but rather a warning sign of possible conditions in the urinary tract . Although it is not a serious condition, it is important to see a doctor to establish what is its cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.