What is hematuria?
Hematuria is the medical term for the presence of blood in the urine. Sometimes it is obvious (urine appears red or tea-colored), other times it is discovered only by doing a urine test, in which red blood cells not visible to the naked eye are found. In either case, it is a sign that something needs to be checked, although it does not always indicate a serious illness.
What can it depend on?
The causes are many and varied. Some are quite common and easily solved, while others require more in-depth investigation:
- Urinary infections: these are among the most common causes. They can irritate the mucous membrane of the bladder or urethra, causing minor bleeding. They are often accompanied by burning, urgency to urinate, or pain.
- Calculi: if there are "pebbles" in the kidneys or bladder, these can scratch the walls of the urinary tract and cause bleeding.
- Intense physical activity: especially in athletes or after prolonged exertion, it can happen to find blood in the urine. It is usually a passing phenomenon.
- Kidney disease: some diseases such as glomerulonephritis or polycystic kidney disease can cause hematuria.
- Tumors: in rare cases, especially if blood is present without other symptoms, it can be a sign of bladder, kidney or prostate cancer. This is precisely why it should never be ignored.
- Medications and therapies: some medications, such as anticoagulants or aspirin, can increase the likelihood of bleeding, including in the urine.
- Urinary infections: these are among the most common causes. They can irritate the mucous membrane of the bladder or urethra, causing minor bleeding. They are often accompanied by burning, urgency to urinate, or pain.
- Calculi: if there are "pebbles" in the kidneys or bladder, these can scratch the walls of the urinary tract and cause bleeding.
- Intense physical activity: especially in athletes or after prolonged exertion, it can happen to find blood in the urine. It is usually a passing phenomenon.
- Kidney disease: some diseases such as glomerulonephritis or polycystic kidney disease can cause hematuria.
- Tumors: in rare cases, especially if blood is present without other symptoms, it can be a sign of bladder, kidney or prostate cancer. This is precisely why it should never be ignored.
- Medications and therapies: some medications, such as anticoagulants or aspirin, can increase the likelihood of bleeding, including in the urine.
What tests are needed to understand the cause?
The first step is always a urine test. If blood is confirmed, the doctor may decide to do other investigations, including:
- A renal and bladderultrasound, to see if there are any stones or other abnormalities.
- A cystoscopy, to look directly at the inside of the bladder.
- A CT scan of the urinary tract.
- Or a urinary cytology exam, which is used to look for cancer cells in the urine.
Each case is different, and the doctor will choose the right course based on symptoms, age, and risk factors.
- A renal and bladderultrasound, to see if there are any stones or other abnormalities.
- A cystoscopy, to look directly at the inside of the bladder.
- A CT scan of the urinary tract.
- Or a urinary cytology exam, which is used to look for cancer cells in the urine.
Each case is different, and the doctor will choose the right course based on symptoms, age, and risk factors.
When is it appropriate to go to the doctor?
In general, it is always a good idea to have a checkup if:
- Blood in the urine is visible.
- It appears more than once.
- You also have fever, pain, or difficulty urinating.
- You have a family history of kidney disease or urologic cancer.
- You are a smoker (smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer).
- Blood in the urine is visible.
- It appears more than once.
- You also have fever, pain, or difficulty urinating.
- You have a family history of kidney disease or urologic cancer.
- You are a smoker (smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer).
Conclusion
Finding blood in urine is scary, but it does not always mean there is a serious problem. In many cases, these are infections or minor ailments that are easily treated. The important thing is not to ignore the symptom and talk to your doctor, who will know whether and what tests to do. When it comes to health, prevention and listening to your body really does make a difference.
