Hematuria is a medical term describing the presence of blood in the urine. This means that the urine has a different color or texture than usual. Hematuria can be manifested by a pinkish, red, brown or heavily bloody appearance of the urine. Hematuria can occur for different reasons and may be associated with urinary tract, kidney or urological problems.
Causes of Hematuria
Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine and can occur for a variety of reasons. The main causes of hematuria can be the following:
Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary tract infections (bladder, urinary tract infections), one of the most common causes, can lead to hematuria. These infections can cause irritation of the urinary tract and bleeding.
Kidney stones Kidney stones, small structures made of hard minerals that form in the kidneys, can block the urinary tract and cause bleeding from the kidneys or urinary tract.
Kidney Infections: Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) can cause the kidneys to become infected, resulting in hematuria.
Urinary System Cancers: Cancers that develop in urinary system organs such as the bladder, kidney or ureter can show signs of bleeding, i.e. hematuria.
Urinary Tract Injuries: Traumatic injuries or surgical interventions that damage the urinary tract can cause hematuria.
Polystic Kidney Disease: Inherited kidney diseases, such as polystic kidney disease, can cause cysts to form in the kidneys, leading to bleeding.
Coagulation Disorders: Blood diseases or medications that affect blood clotting processes can cause bleeding, leading to hematuria.
Heavy Exercise: Intense physical activity or exercise can cause red blood cells to appear in the urine. This is called "exercise-related hematuria" and is usually not a sign of a serious problem.
Hematuria can be a serious symptom and requires medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. It is important for anyone showing any signs of hematuria to contact a health professional.
What are the Symptoms of Hematuria?
Hematuria is a medical condition that causes the appearance of blood in the urine. Symptoms of hematuria can vary from person to person and may differ depending on the severity of the underlying cause. Symptoms of hematuria can be the following:
Change in Urine Color: Although urine is normally light yellow in color, the telltale sign of hematuria is when the urine turns pinkish, red, brown or mixed with blood.
Change in Urine Quantity: Changes such as an increase or decrease in the amount of urine can be seen.
Appearance of Urine: Loss of clarity and clouding of urine may be another symptom of hematuria.
Pain or Aching: Hematuria can sometimes be accompanied by pain or aching. This pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen or urinary tract.
Fever: Some causes of hematuria, such as urinary tract infections, can cause fever.
Nausea or vomiting: Some serious causes of hematuria can cause nausea or vomiting.
Symptoms of hematuria can vary depending on the type and severity of the underlying cause. It is important to contact a health professional when blood is seen in the urine or when signs of hematuria are noticed. These symptoms are critical for early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying health problem.
Hematuria Diagnosis Methods
A number of medical methods are used to diagnose hematuria . A physical examination involves listening to the patient's history and assessing physical symptoms. Urine tests are important to examine the presence and amount of blood in the urine. Urine culture is done to diagnose urinary tract infections. Blood tests help to assess kidney function.
Imaging tests (ultrasonography, CT, MRI) are used to visualize abnormalities of the kidneys and urinary tract. Cystoscopy is used to examine the inside of the urinary tract, while in rare cases a kidney biopsy may be needed. These tests are guided by a healthcare professional to identify the cause of hematuria and determine the appropriate treatment and can be tailored to each patient's specific health condition.
Hematuria Treatment
Treatment of hematuria varies depending on the type and severity of the underlying cause. Hematuria is only a symptom and the underlying problem needs to be treated. Here are the commonly used methods of treating hematuria:
Urinary Tract Infections: If urinary tract infections cause hematuria, doctors usually prescribe antibiotics. When these infections are treated, the bleeding usually resolves.
Kidney Stones: Kidney stones can block the urinary tract, leading to bleeding. Treatment is with medicines or sometimes surgery, depending on the size and location of the stone.
Kidney Infections: Kidney infections require antibiotic treatment. Medicines can help control the infection and improve hematuria.
Urinary System Cancers: When cancers of the urinary system are diagnosed, treatment methods are determined depending on the type and stage of cancer. These may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Other Causes: Other causes of hematuria are treated depending on the specific condition. For example, coagulation disorders can be treated or injuries to the urinary tract can be surgically repaired.
Treatment of hematuria focuses on diagnosing and treating the underlying health problem. Therefore, it is critical to identify the problem causing the hematuria and establish the appropriate treatment plan. Every patient experiencing the symptom of hematuria should consult a healthcare professional and follow the recommended treatment methods.
What Increases the Risk of Blood in the Urine (Hematuria)?
There are several factors that can increase the risk of blood in the urine (hematuria). These risk factors may be the following:
Urinary Tract Infections: Urinary tract infections can cause irritation and bleeding in the urinary tract. Especially recurrent infections can increase the risk.
Kidney Stones: Kidney stones can block the urinary tract and cause bleeding. The risk increases if the stones recur frequently or are large in size.
Kidney Infections: Kidney infections (pyelonephritis) can cause the kidneys to become infected and bleed.
Urinary System Cancers: Cancers that develop in urinary system organs such as the bladder, kidney or ureter can increase the risk of hematuria.
Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of urinary tract cancers.
Family History: People with a family history of urinary system cancers may have an increased risk of such cancers.
Age: The risk of hematuria increases with age, especially urinary system cancers can be seen more frequently in aging people.
Gender: Some urinary tract cancers are more common in men or women, and gender may affect this risk.
Coagulation Disorders: Coagulation disorders, which affect the blood's ability to clot, can increase the risk of hematuria.
Previous Urinary System Problems: Previous urinary tract problems can increase the risk of hematuria.
These factors can increase the risk of hematuria, but a medical evaluation is needed to identify and treat the cause of a person experiencing hematuria. Anyone experiencing symptoms of hematuria should contact a health professional.