It can actually be scary to see blood in urine also known as hematuria. Although in a lot of cases, it does not cause any harm. But the presence of blood in the urine can be a sign of a serious illness.
Well clearly, nobody likes the golden flow to take a wild detour into a vibrant palette. So, let us all go on a groovy adventure through the curious corridors of the urinary system. Let’s all try and unravel the mystery behind the colorful chaos (hematuria) and uncover the factors behind this unexpected remix.
Table of Contents
Types of Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
There are two main types of blood that are present in the urine. It can be:
Gross Hematuria
When the blood in the urine can be easily seen with the naked eye, it is called gross hematuria. It is often observed changing the color of the toilet water from pale pink to red.
Microscopic Hematuria
It is observed when a small amount of blood is present in the urine that can only be detected under a microscope. So, a human eye cannot see the blood separately.
Exploring the Culrpits: Common Causes of Blood in Urine
Hematuria or blood in the urine usually happens when the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract allow the blood cells to leak into the urine. Now, there can be a number of problems that can cause the leakage, including,
Kidney Infection
This type of Urinary tract Infection is also known as pyelonephritis. Kidney infections usually occur when bacteria enter the kidneys from the bloodstream.
Some of the infections can also enter the kidneys through the tubes linked to the kidney and the bladder called the ureters. Kidney infections can result in causing the same urine-related symptoms that other UTIs can. But these are more likely to cause pain, fever, and pain in the groin.
Hard Exercise
Blood in urine or blood clots in urine are more likely to be caused by hard exercise. What do I mean by that? Well, the presence of blood can happen when you indulge a lot in contact sports like football. It can be linked to bladder damage caused by getting yourself hit.
Blood in the urine can also be observed with sports involving long-distance i.e. marathon running. Sometimes, it occurs without the involvement of any injury or damage to the bladder.
So, if you see blood in urine after hard exercise, do not just assume it is because of the exercise, it is best to see the best urologist near you to get the answer.
Stones in the Kidney or in Bladder
The minerals in the urine can form crystals on the walls of the kidneys or bladder. With passing time, these crystals can turn into hard and small stones.
These are often times painless but these can hurt a lot if they cause blockage in the passage of urine. Kidney or bladder stones can cause stones that can cause blood in urine that can be usually seen by the naked eye as well as in the lab.
Suggested Read: Diet for Kidney Stones
Medicines
One of the top urologists and andrologist in Pakistan Dr. Zubair Ahmad Cheema says that the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and the antibiotic penicillin are linked to causing blood in the urine. Medicines that are usually used to prevent blood clots in the blood are also said to be responsible for blood in urine.
These medicines include the ones that stop the platelets from sticking together such as aspirin. It also includes medicines called blood thinners i.e. heparin.
Enlarged Prostate
The prostate gland is present just below the bladder and surrounds the top part of the urethra. It is often observed to be getting bigger in middle age. As a result, the prostate is seen putting pressure on the urethra which causes blockage in the flow of urine.
An enlarged prostate causes you trouble while peeing, causes an urge to pee again and again, and can result in blood in urine.
Infection of the prostate called prostatitis can also cause the exact same symptoms.
Kidney Disease
The form of blood in urine that is usually only seen in the lab is a symptom of a disease called glomerulonephritis. With this disease the tiny filters in the kidney become inflamed. The major role of these filters is to remove the waste from the blood.
A lot of times, kidney disease is shown in the form of cardiac symptoms. Research says that pee with a darker color or with blood in it is also a major symptom of Glomerular Hematuria
Suggested Read: Link Between Kidney and Heart Failure
Cancer
Blood in the urine that can be seen easily with the naked eye can also be caused by an advanced form of cancer. These can be bladder prostate, or advanced kidney cancer. These cancers might not cause symptoms very early to get started with the treatment.
The Diagnostic Journey – Tests for Hematuria
Your doctor usually asks you about your medical history and sends a sample of your urine to the lab called a urinalysis. There are several other tests suggested by your doctor. These include;
- A Kidney Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney
- A CT Scan is a special kind of X-Ray that can help in finding tumors, stones, or other problems in the urinary system.
- A Kidney biopsy in which a sample of kidney tissue is taken to be examined under a microscope for signs of kidney disease.
Navigating the Treatment Options for Blood in Urine
The source and cause of hematuria usually decide what kind of treatment is suitable for blood in urine.
Doctors at Hameed Latif Hospital say, If your hematuria is caused by a urinary tract infection, your doctor will prescribe medications to destroy the bacteria causing the infection.
If it is caused by kidney stones that are painful, you can treat that with prescription drugs and therapies. A great treatment for that is the use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Doctors a lot of times remove kidney stones by using a scope. This is done by the insertion of a narrow tube in the ureter through the urethra and bladder.
With the help of a camera and special equipment, the doctors rap the stones and remove them.
If the trigger behind the blood in your urine is the enlarged prostate, doctors might advise you to take medicines like 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or alpha-blockers. In some serious cases like cancer, surgery is suggested.
Seeking Professional Help: When to Contact Healthwire!
Blood in urine or blood clots in urine must always be taken seriously. If you feel like you are getting mixed symptoms or you are unable to diagnose on your own what your issue is, then make sure to book an appointment in the best kidney hospitals while staying home by visiting Healthwire.
