Blood in your urine, or haematuria, is almost always startling, and your mind may immediately assume the worst. While many instances can be harmless and easily treated, others can indicate a serious problem. For conditions like blood in your urine, it is recommended to see a doctor who specializes in urinary tract disorders, such as a urologist.
Why Is There Blood In My Urine?
Strenuous exercise, inherited disorders, and the ingestion of certain medications can sometimes lead to blood in your urine. If you have blood in your urine and need a diagnosis for further treatment, our team at Alliance Urology can help find the cause of your condition so you can get back to living life as usual.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection occurs as a result of an infection in your urinary system– which is made up of your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The Cleveland Clinic suggests UTIs are very common, resulting in roughly 8 million to 10 million cases yearly. Some other common symptoms of UTIs include:
- The frequent urge to urinate
- Pain in the flank, abdomen, or pelvic area
- Painful urination
- Strong or foul-smelling urine
If you suspect you have a UTI and experience blood in your urine, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. UTIs are easily treated with antibiotics, as the medicine kills bacteria and fights infection.
- Pyelonephritis
There are two types of pyelonephritis– acute and chronic. Both are considered one of the more dangerous causes of blood in your urine. Acute pyelonephritis is a sudden and severe kidney infection, while chronic pyelonephritis is repeated and persistent attacks. The chronic form of pyelonephritis is rare, but a Medscape study of acute pyelonephritis found overall annual rates of 15-17 cases per 10,000 females and 3-4 cases per 10,000 males. Other symptoms aside from blood in your urine can include a fever greater than 102°F, pain in the abdomen, back, or groin, and painful or burning urination.
- Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Urine naturally contains these salts and minerals, though an overproduction can cause stones to form. The stone’s impact on the lining cells of the urinary tract may cause destruction, allowing blood to leak into your urine. Blood in your urine is very common in those who have kidney stones. Treatment may include medications or a medical procedure involving stone removal.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH is a condition in men where the prostate gland is enlarged and not cancerous. NIH suggests the prostate goes through two growth periods during a man’s life span, one during early puberty and the other around age 25. Generally, benign prostate hyperplasia occurs with the second growth phase. Other symptoms of BPH may include:
- Dribbling after urination
- The frequent urge to urinate at night
- The sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
- Incontinence
BPH may cause bleeding due to blood vessels on the surface of the prostate stretching and rupturing. Treatment for BPH includes urinary retention medications with oversight from your doctor.
- Cancer
Blood in your urine is considered one of the most common symptoms of bladder cancer. You may also experience blood in your urine with kidney or prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society suggests there may be enough blood to change the color of the urine to orange, pink, or, less often, dark red, and may appear one day and be absent the next. Keep in mind that blood in your urine does not automatically mean you have cancer. There are many benign conditions that might be correctable with simple treatments.
Blood in your urine can be worrisome, but our specialists at Alliance Urology are there to help. We use the latest technology and our extensive experience in urologic health to diagnose urological conditions with precision and care. For questions or inquiries, please call our office in Greensboro at (336) 274-1114, or schedule an appointment with one of our providers today.
