Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)

Hematuria general health Urology Clinics of North Texas
Hematuria general health Urology Clinics of North Texas
Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. There are two types of hematuria: gross hematuria that is visible with the naked eye and microscopic hematuria: blood that is only visible under a microscope. While seeing blood in your urine can be scary, it is not always a major concern.
There are various causes of blood in the urine, including urinary tract infections, kidney infection or kidney stones, enlarged prostate, medications, or injury. Some risk factors make it more likely to have blood in the urine, such as men over age 50, recent infection, family history of kidney disease, or certain medications. Diagnosis of blood in the urine can include a physical exam, urine sample, imaging tests, and a cystoscopy. Depending on the cause of your hematuria, your treatment may vary. No matter what you think could be causing your hematuria, always consult your doctor. The urologists at Urology Clinics of North Texas promise to provide the best care when treating your urological disorders.

Hematuria general health Urology Clinics of North Texas

When you have hematuria or blood in your urine, the kidneys or other parts of your urinary tract may be leaking blood cells into your urine.

Read about some of the causes of blood in the urine below.

Urinary tract infections

When bacteria enters your urethra, it can cause an infection in your bladder, causing painful urination, sometimes accompanied by blood in the urine.

Kidney infections

When bacteria from your urethra travels into your kidneys, this can cause an infection similar to bladder infections.

Bladder or kidney stones

The minerals in urine can form crystals that will be passed through your urine stream, which can cause blood in the urine.

Enlarged prostate

The prostate gland continues to grow with age and can block urine flow, also causing occasional blood in the urine.

Kidney disease

An inflamed kidney can cause microscopic urinary bleeding.

Certain medications

Penicillin, aspirin, and heparin can cause blood in your urine.

Strenuous exercise

This is a rare case but can happen after exercise, especially in runners.

Always consult your doctor about anything abnormal that you see in your urine.

Hematuria general health Urology Clinics of North Texas

Blood in the urine that is visible to the naked eye or gross hematuria is typically red, pink, or brown. To determine the cause of the blood in your urine, your doctor will do a physical exam, discuss your medical history, and conduct a urine analysis. If the cause cannot be identified from those, you may need imaging such as a CT or MRI or cystoscopy, a scope inserted into your urethra.

Hematuria general health Urology Clinics of North Texas

Depending on the cause of blood in the urine, treatment options may involve antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, a prescription medicine for an enlarged prostate, or treatment for kidney or bladder stones. In some instances, no treatment is required. Follow up may be needed to ensure the blood in the urine goes away.

Blood in the urine is not always visible to the naked eye. Gross hematuria, or blood in the urine that is visible to the naked eye, is typically red, pink, or brown.
There are various causes of blood in the urine, including urinary tract infections, kidney infection, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, medications or injury.
Some risk factors make it more likely to have blood in the urine, such as men over age 50, recent infection, family history of kidney disease, or certain medications.
Depending on the cause of the blood in your urine, your doctor will treat it appropriately.
In many cases, blood in your urine is caused by something harmless. You should always consult your doctor when you see blood in your urine.

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Urology Clinics of North Texas

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We at Urology Clinics of North Texas would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving Holiday! We will return to normal Business hours on Monday, November 27, 2023.