What is hematuria?
Hematuria is a medical term that’s used to describe blood in the urine. It may present as gross hematuria, which occurs when there’s enough blood present in your urine to cause visible color changes. With gross hematuria, you may notice that the water in your toilet bowl is red, pale pink, or cola-colored after you urinate.
Microscopic hematuria is noted in urine studies that include an exam of your urine under a microscope. While there isn’t enough blood present to see with the naked eye, microscopic hematuria can indicate an infection or other concerning condition that needs medical treatment.
If your urine is checked via a test strip or dipstick, color changes associated with hematuria may appear, but this type of test does not reliably confirm or rule out hematuria.
What causes hematuria?
There are many potential causes of hematuria. Some are considered more serious than others, but anytime blood is noted in your urine, it should be evaluated further.
Hematuria may be related to:
- A urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
- Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy)
- Kidney disease
- Kidney stones
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer
It’s also important to note that your urine can change colors when you consume certain foods or beverages, including beets and blackberries or foods and beverages prepared with a lot of added dyes to make their color more appetizing.
How can you tell what is causing my hematuria?
A diagnostic workup to identify the cause of your hematuria may include:
- A urinalysis
- A urine culture to check for signs of an infection
- Urine cytology, which is a test that checks for abnormal-appearing cells in your urine
- Cystoscopy to check the inside of your bladder and urethra for abnormalities
- Computed tomography (CT) scan to check for abnormalities in the abdomen and pelvis
Once Dr. El-Masry determines what’s causing your hematuria, he designs a treatment plan that addresses the underlying issue. Hematuria is often related to conditions that are relatively easy to treat once identified, such as a UTI. Because it may also be a sign of cancer or other concerning issues, however, hematuria is not something you should ignore.
Call Advanced Urology today to schedule a visit with Dr. El-Masry or book your appointment online.
