Hematuria is the medical term for blood in the urine.
Blood in the urine, or hematuria, is a common urologic condition that oftentimes points to an underlying medical problem. There are two types of hematuria: gross and microscopic. When an individual is able to visibly see blood in their urine, this is known as gross hematuria. The color of urine may appear as light red, pink, brown, or bright red. If blood is only visible under a microscope, it is known as microscopic hematuria. Generally, this occurs as an incidental finding during urinalysis testing. In either case, it’s important for a doctor to determine the root cause of the blood. Sometimes, finding blood in a person’s urine constitutes an emergency situation that requires immediate attention. It can be important for medical providers to quickly determine the source of the blood, and to treat it immediately.
What causes blood in the urine?
There are several reasons why blood may be appearing in the urine. Some of these reasons may be more concerning than others. Nevertheless, it should always be thoroughly investigated to identify any undiagnosed health issues. Medical and non-medical causes may include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Strenuous exercise
- Medications
- Trauma or injury
- Sexual intercourse
- Menstruation
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Bladder stones
- Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) also known as an enlarged prostate
- Blood disorders such as Hemophilia or Sickle Cell Anemia
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
Because there are so many conditions that can cause blood in the urine, it’s important to seek immediate help so that a proper diagnosis can be made as soon as possible. While some factors may be easily treatable, others may be life-threatening if left untreated over the long-term.
Blood in the urine can be an emergency condition depending on its cause. If you can see blood, contact the Urology Austin office nearest you to find out if you should be seen by a urologist, or if your condition warrants an emergency assessment.