Blood in Urine (Hematuria), Its Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Blood in urine is not always a serious condition.

All people with a healthy urinary tract excretes about one million red blood cells in the urine daily, creating only a insignificant amount of blood in the urine. This trace amount of blood is not visible.

The Problem of Blood in Urine

Older people have hematuria (blood in urine) more often than younger people. As women are more susceptible to have urinary tract infections, the incidence of hematuria is more in women than men.

Microscopic hematuria
You don't have a visible sign of blood in urine, but your urine test detects it. Microscopic hematuria indicates damage to the upper urinary tract, which are kidneys.

Gross hematuria
There is a visible sign. The urine appears pinkish or red. The visible blood may be due to damage to the lower urinary tract, which are ureters, bladder, or urethra.

Acute hematuria
An abnormal amount of blood in the urine.

Chronic hematuria
Reparative or long term blood in the urine.

The blood in urine may be due to many caucuses and several conditions that may exist at the same time. Some causes of hematuria are not serious, while others are serious.

1. Stones in the kidneys or ureters. This the most common causes in people younger than 40 years.
2. Due to urinary tract infections
3. Due to infection, inflammation, or injury to urinary system.
4. Blockage of the urinary tract is a common reason for blood in urine.
5. In older men, enlarged prostate can lead to blood in urine.
6. Due to some diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, liver disease and sickle cell anemia.
7. Due to viral infections.
8. Strenuous exercise such as running may cause jarring of the bladder and cause blood in the urine.
9. Due to analgesic medicines such as aspirin, antibiotics such as Rifampin and anticoagulants such as Warfarin and Quinine.
10. Some foods, such as beets, berries or rhubarb in large amounts may cause blood in urine.
11. Some food coloring chemicals can show the sign of blood in urine.

1. Do not worry for the blood in urine if you have no serious conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, and other diseases that cause kidney damage.
2. If you have visible blood in your urine, you should consult your Doctor for its cure.
3. If you have visible blood in the urine combined with fever and flank pain, you should go to your Doctor immediately, because this may be due to a infection in your kidney.
4. If a medication is causing blood in urine, consult your Doctor to stop that medication.
5. If you have kidney stones, do not worry, there are treatment for this. Drink plenty of liquids to help pass the stones. Most stones will pass through urinary system by themselves. There are other treatment available for kidney stone problems.

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The content on this website is reviewed regularly and is updated when new information is made available. The information provided is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your Doctor.