What Are the Causes of Blood in Urine
Blood in the urine which is medically known as hematuria can be either microscopic (when the blood is not visible) or gross (when the blood is visible). It can come from kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. It is always advisable to seek a healthcare professional’s medical guidance even if you are have found blood in your urine with no pain so that you can know the actual reasons behind hematuria.
Causes of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Do not immediately get panic-stricken if you have spotted blood in your urine. It does not necessarily indicate you have severe kidney disease. It can happen due to some of the following common causes.
- Strenuous exercise
- Menstruation
- Sexual activity
- Injury
- Any infection like UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Other than all the aforementioned reasons, following are some serious issues that can cause hematuria.
- Bladder or kidney cancer
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Swelling or irritation in the kidneys, prostate (in the case of men), other parts of the urinary tract
- Sickle cell disease is also a cause of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Symptoms of hematuria (blood in the urine)
Red, pink, tea-colored, or brownish-red urine is one common hematuria (blood in the urine) symptom. Other symptoms may include a pain while urinating, weakness, body swelling, high blood pressure, etc. Sometimes, it is associated with a fever as well. The symptoms may vary depending on the actual causes of hematuria (blood in urine).
How is it treated?
You will be able to get the best treatment only when the underlying reason causing blood in the urine is found. If you are not diagnosed with a serious condition causing it, do not panic. It is also possible that you might not feel any pain when you suffer from hematuria (blood in the urine).
However, the healthcare expert may ask you to undergo urine testing along with blood pressure checking. Depending on the reports of this testing, your doctor will decide whether you need to do more tests or you can start with the treatment process.
So, if you notice blood in your urine, it is always advisable to consult a medical expert at the earliest. Also, a regular health checkup irrespective of the age is recommended to stay fit and healthy and avoiding problems like hematuria.
