Should I be worried that I have blood in my urine?
Blood in your urine -- your doctor might call it hematuria -- usually isn't a cause for major alarm. But you shouldn't ignore it, because it can also be a sign of a serious medical condition. Tell your doctor about it; they can order tests to look for the cause. Hematuria is just a symptom, so treatment will focus on the condition causing it.
What to do if you pee blood?
You need a specialist's advice when:
- You are peeing blood with no pain, and lab tests show you have no infection.
- You are 40 years of age or older and experience frequent urinary tract infections with blood in urine.
- You are 50 years of age or older and you have unexplained microscopic blood.
- Your doctor detects a tumor in your abdomen.
How do you treat blood in urine?
These instructions are often called the "clean catch method." It includes the following steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Clean your genital area with a cleansing pad given to you by your provider. ...
- Start to urinate into the toilet.
- Move the collection container under your urine stream.
- Collect at least an ounce or two of urine into the container, which should have markings to indicate the needed amounts.
- Finish urinating into the toilet.
How to get rid of blood in urine?
The following tests and exams play a key role in finding a cause for blood in your urine:
- Physical exam, which includes a discussion of your medical history.
- Urine tests. Even if your bleeding was discovered through urine testing (urinalysis), you're likely to have another test to see if your urine still contains red blood cells. ...
- Imaging tests. Often, an imaging test is required to find the cause of hematuria. ...
- Cystoscopy. ...
What is the main cause of blood in urine?
The causes of hematuria include vigorous exercise and sexual activity, among others. More serious causes of hematuria include kidney or bladder cancer; inflammation of the kidney, urethra, bladder, or prostate; and polycystic kidney disease, among other causes.
Is blood in urine a serious problem?
If you notice blood in your urine, don't ignore it. There are many possible causes of this condition, known as hematuria. While some are simply treated and not dangerous, others may need immediate medical attention. Not all hematuria can be seen with the human eye.
What happens if blood is found in urine?
Most causes of blood in your urine are not serious, But sometimes red or white blood cells in your urine can mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment, such as a kidney disease, urinary tract infection, or liver disease.
Can blood in urine cure itself?
Although blood in the urine can be a sign of a serious problem, many cases of red blood cells in the urine are benign and will resolve themselves fairly quickly without the need for medical intervention.
What is best antibiotic for urinary tract infection?
Drugs commonly recommended for simple UTIs include:Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, others)Fosfomycin (Monurol)Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)Cephalexin (Keflex)Ceftriaxone.
How do you treat hematuria at home?
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE BEST NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR UTIS YOU CAN TRY Right From Home.DRINK LOTS OF WATER. ... TRY DRINKING SOME UNSWEETENED CRANBERRY JUICE. ... DON'T “HOLD IT”. ... TRY TAKING A PROBIOTIC. ... EAT GARLIC. ... ADD VITAMIN C TO YOUR DIET. ... AVOID BLADDER IRRITATING FOODS WHEN YOU HAVE A UTI. ... WIPE FROM FRONT TO BACK.
Can lack of water cause blood in urine?
Can lack of water cause blood in urine? Not drinking enough water can turn your urine a dark color, but mild dehydration in itself generally doesn't cause hematuria. Severe or frequent dehydration can weaken and damage your kidneys and lead to bloody urine, though.
What medications cause blood in urine?
Some drugs, like the antibiotic penicillin or the cancer drug cyclophosphamide, can cause blood in your urine. It also might happen if you take medications like aspirin or the blood thinner heparin, especially if you already have a condition, like a urinary tract infection, that makes your bladder bleed more easily.
What is the normal range for blood in urine?
Normal Results A normal result is 4 red blood cells per high power field (RBC/HPF) or less when the sample is examined under a microscope. The example above is a common measurement for a result of this test. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
What is the medical term for blood in urine?
Overview. Hematuria is the medical term for blood in your urine. Several different conditions and diseases can cause hematuria. These include infections, kidney disease, cancer, and rare blood disorders. The blood may be visible or in such small quantities that it can’t be seen with the naked eye. Any blood in the urine can be a sign ...
What causes blood to show up in urine?
Rare blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, Alport syndrome, and hemophilia can cause blood in the urine. Strenuous exercise or a blow to the kidneys can also cause blood to show up in the urine.
Why does urine have blood in it?
Another common reason for blood in the urine is the presence of stones in the bladder or kidney. These are crystals that form from the minerals in your urine. They can develop inside your kidneys or bladder.
How long does it take for hematuria to develop?
In children ages 6 to 10 years, the kidney disorder post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis may cause hematuria. This disorder can develop one to two weeks after an untreated strep infection. Once common, it’s rare today because antibiotics can quickly treat strep infections.
How to pass kidney stones?
Your healthcare provider may suggest using a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to break up the stones. ESWL involves using sound waves to break the kidney stones into tiny pieces that can pass in your urine.
What is the best test for hematuria?
Another possible test your doctor may want to do is a cystoscopy. This involves using a small tube to send a camera up your urethra and into your bladder. With the camera, your doctor can examine the interior of your bladder and urethra to determine the cause of your hematuria.
How to prevent bladder cancer?
To prevent stones, drink plenty of water and avoid excess salt and certain foods like spinach and rhubarb. To prevent bladder cancer, refrain from smoking, limit your exposure to chemicals, and drink plenty of water. Last medically reviewed on August 2, 2019.
1. Get Help
Call your health care provider to set up a prompt appointment, even if you only see blood once in the urine. Inform the staff about the blood when you call.
3. Follow Up
Most causes of blood in the urine are not serious, but some are. The health care provider may order one or more of these tests:
What is the name of the condition where blood is in the urine?
Treatment For Blood In Urine Or Hematuria: Diet Tips And More. Sometimes it isn’t easy to determine if symptoms are a sign of minor or more severe illness. Blood in the urine, a condition called hematuria, is one of those symptoms that could indicate a more severe disease, or it could be the result of something as minor as strenuous exercise ...
How to treat hematuria?
Treatment for hematuria depends on the condition that is causing blood in the urine. Antibiotics clear up urinary tract infections, prescription medications shrink an enlarged prostate, or shock wave therapy breaks up bladder or kidney stones.
What to do if hematuria is positive?
If the test is positive, clinicians will typically employ a second test to check for any red blood cells in the urine. These tests also double for checking for urinary tract infections and minerals that can cause kidney stones. 3. Imaging tests ultimately determine the cause of hematuria and are usually completed in the form of a CT scan, MRI scan, ...
Why do children have hematuria?
Children are more likely to experience hematuria as a result of glomerulonephritis infections like strep throat. If hematuria develops before an infection like strep throat, recovery might not be as speedy, and other issues might surface.
What is the best test for hematuria?
3. Imaging tests ultimately determine the cause of hematuria and are usually completed in the form of a CT scan, MRI scan, or an ultrasound exam. 4. A cystoscopy is a bit more invasive and involves your doctor feeding a tube into your bladder.
What causes blood in the bladder?
Bladder or Kidney Stone. When minerals crystallize in the body, they can harden and form walls inside your kidneys or bladder. If these stones cause a blockage or pass through your urinary tract system, it can cause extreme pain, and ultimately leads to blood in the urine.
How to help hematuria patients?
Nutrition and Health for Hematuria Patients. Add more health tips such as dietary planning, exercise, meditation, and hygiene to help combat hematuria. Avoid strenuous activity like weight lifting or running, and focus your energy on low-impact sports like yoga, walking, and/or swimming.
What does it mean when you see blood in your urine?
While in many instances the cause is harmless, blood in urine (hematuria) can indicate a serious disorder. Blood that you can see is called gross hematuria. Urinary blood that's visible only under a microscope (microscopic hematuria) is found when your doctor tests your urine.
Why does my urine turn red?
Some medications, such as the laxative Ex-lax, and certain foods , including beets , rhubarb and berries , can cause your urine to turn red. A change in urine color caused by drugs, food or exercise might go away within a few days. Bloody urine looks different, but you might not be able to tell the difference. It's best to see your doctor anytime you ...
What causes a urine leakage?
These occur when bacteria enter your body through the urethra and multiply in your bladder. Symptoms can include a persistent urge to urinate, pain and burning with urination, and extremely strong-smelling urine.
Why is my urine pink?
Gross hematuria produces pink, red or cola-colored urine due to the presence of red blood cells. It takes little blood to produce red urine, and the bleeding usually isn't painful. Passing blood clots in your urine, however, can be painful.
Why do men have hematuria?
Age. Many men older than 50 have occasional hematuria due to an enlarged prostate gland. A recent infection. Kidney inflammation after a viral or bacterial infection (post-infectious glomerulonephritis) is one of the leading causes of visible urinary blood in children.
What is the name of the blood that is visible only under a microscope?
Urinary blood that's visible only under a microscope (microscopic hematuria) is found when your doctor tests your urine. Either way, it's important to determine the reason for the bleeding. Treatment depends on the cause.
Can kidney stones cause bleeding?
Then there's usually no mistaking the symptoms — kidney stones, especially, can cause excruciating pain. Bladder or kidney stones can also cause both gross and microscopic bleeding.
Why does blood mix with urine?
Blood mixes with urine if there is a problem with your kidneys, bladder, or another part of your urinary tract. Sometimes, there is enough blood that it discolors your urine so you can see it. Other times, the amount of blood is microscopic, and you won’t know that it’s there without medical testing.
What is the color of blood in urine?
The type depends on how much blood is mixed in: Gross hematuria: This is when there is visible blood that changes the color of urine to pink, red, or brown. You may notice pain while urinating or in general.
What is the infection of the bladder?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.
What test can be done to detect bladder cancer?
Cystoscopy: This test allows a doctor to insert an instrument into the urinary tract and look at the organs. It’s useful for detecting bladder cancer. Biopsy: Your doctor will remove a small amount of tissue from your bladder or kidneys to examine under a microscope. The tissue can show the doctor if you have cancer.
How to treat a urinary infection?
Medications. A urinary tract infection can be treated with antibiotics. Minor injuries may get better with time and rest. Your doctor may want to do follow up tests to make sure there is not blood remaining in your urine.
What tests can be done to check for kidney disease?
Blood tests: Doctors test blood for evidence of kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, or prostate cancer, all of which might cause blood in urine. CT Scan or MRI: Imaging tests allow doctors to see internal organs such as the kidney to examine them for problems.
Is blood in urine serious?
Many of them aren’t serious. However, you need a doctor to figure out what is causing the issue as there is no way to diagnose it at home. There are also more severe problems that lead to blood in the urine. These also require a doctor to diagnose.
Why does blood in urine go away?
Most of the causes of blood in the urine are not serious. For example, heavy exercise may cause blood in the urine, which often goes away in a day. Other, more serious causes include: Cancer. Kidney infection or disease. Urinary tract infection (UTI) Enlarged prostate (men only) Kidney or bladder stones.
What does it mean when you see blood in your urine?
Blood in the urine means there are red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine. Often, the urine looks normal to the naked eye. But when checked under a microscope, it contains a high number of red blood cells. In some cases, the urine is pink, red, or the color of tea, which you can see without a microscope.
Why does blood come out of my urine?
Most of the causes of blood in the urine are not serious. For example, in some cases, strenuous exercise will cause blood in the urine. Some more serious causes of blood in the urine are cancer, infection, enlarged prostate (men only), kidney or bladder stones, and certain diseases (like sickle cell anemia and cystic kidney disease).
What is an IVP?
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP). A series of X-rays of the kidney, ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder), and bladder is done after a contrast dye is injected into a vein. This is done to look for tumors, kidney stones, or any blockages, and to check blood flow in the kidneys. Ultrasound.
What is urine tested for?
Urine is tested for various cells and chemicals, such as red and white blood cells, germs, or too much protein. Blood tests. Blood is checked for high levels of waste products. If these tests aren’t clear you may need other tests, such as: Intravenous pyelogram (IVP).
What does urine look like?
What are the symptoms of blood in the urine? There not be enough blood in the urine to change the color, but in severe cases, the urine may look pink, red, or tea colored.
How long does blood in urine last?
How is blood in the urine treated? If you have blood in your urine that lasts more than a day , see a health care provider, especially if you have unexplained weight loss, discomfort with urination, frequent urination, or urgent urination. Treatment will depend on the cause of the blood in the urine.
What does it mean when you have blood in your urine?
Painful, frequent, or urgent urination. Unexplained weight loss. Fever, vomiting, or nausea. Inability to urinate. Abdominal or back pain. Blood in urine should not be ignored, especially when it occurs with one of the above symptoms. It may indicate a serious condition that requires urgent treatment.
Why does blood appear in urine?
Blood in Urine Causes. Sexual activity and vigorous exercise, such as long-distance running, can cause blood to appear in urine. Other, more serious conditions that cause hematuria include: Injury to the urinary tract (kidney, prostate, bladder or urethra) Viral infection. Urinary tract infection or inflammation.
Why is my urine pink?
Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, can have many causes. The red blood cells can make urine appear pink or red (known as gross hematuria, however, hematuria isn't always visible and may only be detectable when a urine sample is viewed through a microscope (microscopic hematuria).
What test is used to determine if a person has hematuria?
Tests When Blood in Urine Is Present. If a physician suspects hematuria, he will order a dipstick test that identifies the presence of red blood cells. But because hematuria is a symptom that occurs in a number of different conditions, urologists usually require additional tests to determine the underlying cause.
What tests are done to check for kidney disease?
These include: Urine tests to detect high protein levels and red and white blood cells (which can indicate infection or kidney disease), as well as cancerous cells. Blood tests, such as creatinine or a complete blood count (CBC), to look for infection or kidney disease. Kidney biopsy, which involves removing a small piece ...
What is the procedure to check for bladder cancer?
Cytoscopy (inserting a tube into the urethra and bladder) to look for inflammation, bleeding, or cancer. Kidney imaging tests (such as an intravenous pyelogram, CT scan, or MRI) to check for urine blockages or unusual masses in the urinary tract, kidneys, or prostate.
Can warfarin cause hematuria?
Additionally, certain medications and foods—such as beets—can cause the appearance of hematuria.
