What if one day your urine color seems unusual?
Let’s learn about hematuria in men, women, and even children!
We urinate every day.
Usually, it’s just a natural bodily function, and not many people check the color of their urine every time they go to the restroom to gauge their daily health.
However, sometimes you might notice something unusual—reddish-colored urine—and feel alarmed at the thought that there may be bleeding somewhere inside your body, resulting in blood in your urine.
This symptom, known as hematuria, is surprisingly common among people who visit clinics. It’s characterized by the presence of blood in urine, which may make the urine appear reddish.
However, just because your urine looks red doesn’t always mean it’s blood. In some cases, the urine may appear normal to the naked eye but test positive for hematuria during examination.
While it’s often a temporary phenomenon, it could also be an early warning sign of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or even cancers in the urinary system. For this reason, it’s essential to visit a doctor and get it checked.
Today, we’ll dive into hematuria, its causes, and what underlying conditions to consider if blood is truly present in the urine. We’ll also explore symptoms and treatments related to hematuria.
What Is Hematuria?
Hematuria means the presence of blood in urine.
As mentioned above, hematuria can cause urine to appear visibly red. However, when the amount of blood is small, it may only be detectable under a microscope.
If a significant amount of red blood cells are present in the urine, the urine color can range from pink to bright red or even dark brown.
What Are the Conditions That Cause Hematuria?
To understand the causes of hematuria, you need to know where urine is produced and how it flows out of the body.
Urine is formed in the kidneys, collected in a funnel-shaped area, and transported to the bladder via the ureters. It’s then expelled from the bladder through the urethra.
If bleeding occurs in any part of this system, hematuria may appear during a urine test.
Since urine color can change depending on the amount of water you drink or the types of food you consume, there’s no single "healthy urine color." However, if you notice something unusual, don’t ignore it. Let’s explore the conditions that can cause hematuria.
1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs are the most common cause of hematuria, especially in women.
Symptoms include:
- Frequent urination (feeling the need to urinate often)
- Pain during urination
- Lower abdominal pain, flank pain, or fever
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
If white blood cells or bacteria are found during a urine test, a UTI is likely the cause.
2. Kidney or Bladder Stones
Kidney, ureter, or bladder stones are another common cause of hematuria.
Although kidney stones can sometimes be asymptomatic, they often cause:
- Sudden flank pain
- Abdominal or lower pelvic pain if the stone blocks the urinary tract
- Painful urination
- Nausea and vomiting
3. Bladder and Urethral Disorders
Tumors, diverticula, or trauma in the bladder or lower urinary tract can also lead to hematuria.
Symptoms may include:
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urination
- Pain during urination
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
For middle-aged and older adults, painless hematuria may indicate cancer in the urinary system. Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its complications can also lead to hematuria, requiring a thorough examination.
4. Kidney and Ureter Disorders
If hematuria persists despite ruling out UTIs and glomerular diseases, upper urinary tract disorders may be suspected.
These include:
- Tumors in the renal pelvis or ureters
- Cysts
- Tuberculosis
- Renal papillary necrosis
Symptoms may include weight loss, abdominal or flank pain, a history of tuberculosis, or past prolonged use of painkillers.
5. Glomerulonephritis and Interstitial Nephritis
The glomeruli, which filter waste from the blood in the kidneys, can become inflamed due to immune system dysfunction, leading to glomerulonephritis.
Interstitial nephritis, on the other hand, affects the kidney tubules and surrounding tissue, often caused by medication.
Both conditions can cause hematuria and proteinuria.
6. Vascular Disorders
Hematuria caused by vascular conditions includes:
- Vasculitis
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Renal infarction
- Hemangiomas
- Renal vein thrombosis
- Nutcracker syndrome
These conditions may worsen hematuria after exercise.
Hematuria in Men, Women, and Children
Men
- Kidney Stones: Hard deposits form in the kidneys and can affect the bladder and urethra.
- BPH: An enlarged prostate gland can lead to urination difficulties.
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra caused by infections.
Women
- UTIs: Infection in the urinary system, from the kidneys to the urethra.
- Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation in the kidneys.
- Cystitis: Bladder inflammation caused by bacterial infection.
Children
- Systemic diseases are a common cause of hematuria in children.
- Urological causes may include congenital abnormalities, such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction, often accompanied by UTIs.
Symptoms of Hematuria
Symptoms vary depending on the cause:
- Glomerulonephritis: Swollen legs, reduced urine output, high blood pressure.
- Kidney or Bladder Infections: Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, pelvic pain, or foul-smelling urine.
- Prostate Infections in Men: Pain in the lower back, between the testicles and anus.
- Kidney Stones: Severe pain in the side, lower back, or groin area.
- Clots in the Bladder: May block urination, causing pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Treatment for Hematuria
Because hematuria has many causes, it’s crucial to identify the exact underlying issue. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
- Visible hematuria: Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.
- Microscopic hematuria: Regular monitoring and tests may suffice if no symptoms are present.
- Proteinuria with hematuria: May require kidney biopsies and specialized treatment.
Stay Healthy!
To keep your body in good condition and reduce the risk of hematuria:
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
Even small steps count. Make today the day you commit to healthier habits!
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
