Presence of blood in urine – What it means
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Seeing traces of blood in the urine can be alarming. Presence of blood in urine or Haematuria could be an indication of a serious kidney disorder or urinary tract infections. If you don’t pay attention to it immediately, it could pose a serious risk to your health.
Reasons for blood in the urine
In haematuria, your kidneys or any other part of the urinary tract allows blood cells to leak into the urine. There are several factors, such as the following, that can cause this leakage.
Urinary Tract Infections
One of the most common reasons for blood in urine is Urinary Tract Infections. These infections may occur in any part of the urinary system. They occur when harmful bacteria move up the urethra and enter the urinary tract. Symptoms include a constant urge to urinate, a foul smell in urine, and a burning sensation while urinating.
Kidney Stones
Another common cause of haematuria is thepresence of stones in the kidney or bladder. Large stones may lead to a blockage, often resulting in pain and discomfort. Symptoms include frequent urination, urinary incontinence, foul-smelling or cloudy urine etc.
Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate is a leading cause of the presence of blood in urine in middle-aged men. As you age, the prostate – a gland located near the urethra just beneath the bladder – becomes enlarged, compressing the urethra. This often causes difficulties while urinating and prevents the bladder from emptying completely. Ultimately, an enlarged prostate results in UTI with bouts of blood in the urine.
Kidney Disease
An inflamed or a diseased kidney can lead to hematuria. The kidney disease may occur on its own or be a consequence of an underlying condition, such as diabetes. For example – in children between age 6 and 10, blood in urine may result from a certain kidney disorder, known as Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Cancer
Certain types of cancer, like kidney cancer, prostate cancer, or bladder cancer can cause hematuria. You may notice blood in the urine as a symptom of advanced-stage cancer.
How to diagnose the cause of hematuria
Treating hematuria requires a precise diagnosis of its underlying causes. Your doctor will first have a look at your family and medical history to check for any risk factors. The next step involves a series of tests -
- Pelvic Exam
- Imaging Test
- Urinalysis
Treating haematuria
Depending on the cause, treatment might involve the following –
- Medications, like antibiotics to cure infections
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) to shrink or break down kidney/bladder/prostate stones
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Surgery to cure an enlarged prostate
Some of the reasons for blood in the urine are serious and should be treated immediately. Treatment can help ease the pain and discomfort that follows hematuria.
Conclusion
Hematuria signs and symptoms could be due to a number of causes. Identifying the causes is key to preventing any complication that may arise from hematuria. Early diagnosis and treatment can help cure the condition. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a Specialist on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']The presence of blood in urine is a serious symptom that must not be taken lightly and you should get yourself diagnosed at the earliest. To determine the exact cause behind this alarming condition, speak to a Doctor on MediBuddy today.[/av_promobox] Sources:
