Lata, a senior lady of about 55 years, was in a predicament one day. She suddenly discovered the presence of blood in her urine. With this happening at least twice in the last few days, Lata was worried about what it meant. She then visited her doctor and came to know about an infection, for which she was given medication.
If you are sailing in the same boat as Lata, i.e., seeing blood in urine, then you should not panic and instead, try and understand what causes blood in urine before jumping to any conclusion. In all such cases, it is always best to consult your doctor immediately to treat the problem soon after it occurs. Blood may mix with urine in the body if there are issues with the bladder, kidney, or any urinary tract infection. This is why UTI blood in urine is listed as a common symptom in many cases. At times, blood also leads to the discoloration of urine which is visible. In other cases, it is microscopic and you will not always find it out without proper testing.
Blood in Urine Types
There are numerous types of blood in the urine that you should know more about. They include:
1. Gross Hematuria
This happens when there is blood visibly discoloring the urine. The hue turns red, pink, or brown. You may have some pain during urination, while the urine may have blood clots mixed with the same.
2. Microscopic Hematuria
This takes place when there are microscopic blood traces in the urine. Symptoms may go undetected as well.
What Causes Blood in Urine?
Here are some of the common reasons:
- Enlargement of the prostate
- Endometriosis or menstruation
- Sexual intercourse
- Intensive activities or exercises
- UTI or urinary tract infections
Other serious aspects include the following:
- Issues with blood clotting
- Swelling/irritation of the prostate, kidney, or the urinary tract
- Bladder or kidney cancer
- Polycystic kidney ailments
- Sickle cell ailments
Anybody may have issues like blood in the urine. It may take place for people of any gender, age or race. There are some health issues which may lead to the same as well. Those with a family history of kidney ailments, smokers, chronic UTI infection-affected individuals and those affected by side effects of cancer treatment are prone towards these symptoms.
Diagnosis
You should consult your doctor right away. Even if the blood goes away by itself, you should get a thorough check-up done. It could be a minor issue although one that the doctor should ideally examine. The doctor will discuss your family health records and history and other recent things that may have led to injuries. They may also ask you to take a pee test, i.e., urinate in a cup and dispatch the same to a laboratory for testing purposes. It may help in diagnosing a UTI (urinary tract infection).
If urinary testing does not solve the issue, the doctor may also conduct more tests or physical examinations alongside. Some of the tests for diagnosis include the following:
- CT scans or MRIs for viewing internal organs like the kidneys.
- Blood tests for signs of autoimmune disorders, kidney ailments or prostate cancer.
- The doctor will do a biopsy and remove a smaller tissue portion from the kidneys or bladders for examination under the microscope. The tissue will clearly indicate whether the individual has cancer or not.
- Cystoscopy tests will enable doctors to put in an instrument for the urinary tract, while viewing the organs. It is helpful for finding bladder cancer and such ailments.
Blood in Urine Treatments
There are various forms of treatment for combating symptoms like blood in urine. They include the following:
1. Medication
UTIs or urinary tract infections may be readily combated with the help of antibiotics. Minor issues may also heal or improve with suitable rest and time. The doctor may also choose follow-up testing for ensuring that blood does not remain in the urine.
2. Surgeries
In case of any diagnosis in the form of cancer or kidney ailments, then the doctor will discuss a plan for treatment. Surgery may be included in this treatment blueprint along with radiation or chemotherapy if that is required.
These are the common treatments for blood in urine.
The Bottom Line
You should always consult your doctor right away if you view any signs of blood in the urine. This will help you avoid any minor issue from snowballing into a major problem in the future. Go through these factors carefully and keep an eye out for any signs as mentioned. At the same time, you should always keep yourself fit and healthy, while paying special attention to vaginal health and hygiene to combat possible UTIs.
