Blood in urine, or hematuria, is sometimes found during routine urine tests. You may have gone in for a yearly checkup or to have another condition diagnosed and provide a urine sample that can be tested to check sugar, detect bacteria, and detect the presence of blood. While blood in urine can sound like a troubling discovery, it can be caused by a number of things, and the majority of them are not serious.
Types of Blood in Urine
There are two classifications of blood in urine: microscopic hematuria and gross hematuria.
Microscopic hematuria: blood in the urine is not visible to the naked eye. It can only be seen through a microscope. Microscopic hematuria has many causes, most of them not serious. However, if the doctor finds blood in urine, they will likely check to make sure there are no serious underlying issues that should be addressed.
Gross hematuria: blood in the urine is visible without the aid of a microscope. Gross hematuria is more likely to be linked to a more serious condition such as cancer.
Causes
If blood in urine is detected, the doctor will perform further examinations and test to determine the cause. Microscopic hematuria is rarely a sign of tumors or cancer in the kidneys or bladder. Only 2 or 3 out of 100 cases of microscopic hematuria are linked to cancer.
There are a number of things that can cause blood in urine, including:
- Urinary infections
- Kidney stones
- Bladder stones
- Kidney trauma
- Kidney disease
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Enlarged prostate
- Prostate infection
- Blood-thinning medication
- Drugs used to treat swelling
- Menstrual period
Diagnosis
To diagnose the cause of blood in urine, the doctor may need to perform tests and exams. During the diagnostic phase the doctor may perform the following:
- Physical exam and discussion of medical history
- Repeat urinalysis
- Imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds
- Cystoscopy
Treatment
The type of treatment needed for blood in urine is dependent on the underlying cause. For instance, if you have a urinary infection, you will be treated with antibiotics. Prostate issues can be addressed with medications. Bladder and kidney stones can be treated with laser or ultrasound therapy. Sometimes, no treatment is necessary.
Schedule an Appointment
At Alliance Urology Specialists, our goal is to provide the highest level of specialized urology care. Our board-certified physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of urological conditions, including urinary infections, bladder stones and kidney stones (link to condition pages). To schedule an appointment, call Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro at (336) 274-1114.
