Hematuria is the medical term for blood in urine. It’s fairly common and affects up to 30% of the adult population. The volume of blood in urine ranges from microscopic, meaning
Blood can appear in the urine in microscopic amounts (microscopic hematuria) which would only be seen by medical instruments, or it may appear to cause a pinkish discoloration in the urine (gross hematuria). So it is possible to get hematuria and not even know it, and it can happen for a variety of reasons.
To get both a proper diagnosis and treatment for a condition like hematuria you will want a skilled and capable medical team. Drs. Craig Herman, Steven Kester and the staff at the Urology Center of Florida have been serving the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Greater South Florida areas for decades and have the expertise and experience to give quality treatment for hematuria and other urological needs.
Though you may understandably be alarmed to see blood in your urine (or any urinary discoloration), don’t panic — the underlying cause is often easily treatable. It may be the symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Further, not all urinary discoloration results from blood in your urinary tract. Women who are menstruating may see blood in their urine, certain medications can cause blood to show up in your urine, and some foods, including beets, can cause you to pass pink or red urine after eating them.
Hematuria may indicate a serious disorder, and it’s best you report any cases of urinary discoloration to your doctor. Older patients and smokers are more likely to have blood in their urine, and smokers are at greater risk for genitourinary cancer. This can include cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate, testicles or penis.
Many conditions can cause blood in the urine beyond the basic factors mentioned, such as:
For middle aged and older men a common cause of blood in the urine is an enlarged prostate. This can result in the prostate applying pressure on the urethra (the tube the urine goes through to exit the body) and causing a UTI, which can then lead to hematuria.
These stones are actually crystals formed from minerals in the body in either the kidneys or the bladder. They can get large enough to cause discomfort and cause blockages that cause urine in the blood and significant pain.
The most common cause of blood in the urine, a few different infections can cause it in addition to UTIs. Bladder or kidney infection can cause pain and lead to either gross or microscopic hematuria.
Kidney disease or inflammation, can cause blood in the urine. This can be as a result of the disease itself or part of another condition, such as diabetes.
The treatment will depend on the cause. Infections are likely treated with antibiotics. Prescription medications may be used for particularly painful kidney stones, or they may be broken down using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). An enlarged prostate could be treated using alpha blockers, or surgery depending on the severity.
Methods to prevent and avoid future issues with urine in the blood include drinking plenty of water, urinate immediately after sex, practice good hygiene and stop smoking. Some dietary changes can help such as reduced salt intake limiting certain foods like spinach and rhubarb.
So if you’re dealing with blood in your urine make an appointment to let the doctors at Urology Center of Florida give you the treatment you need.
