What You Need to Know about Hematuria

What You Need to Know about Hematuria

May 26, 2020

If you notice blood in your urine, it is best to consult a doctor. This particular condition is referred to as Hematuria. While it doesn’t trigger health risks in most cases, some may need medical attention. Additionally, some Hematuria can’t be seen with a naked eye.

This type of Hematuria is the most common. It is referred to as Microscopic Hematuria, and as the name implies, it can only be seen through a microscope. That is why it is hard to detect. In most cases, patients only knew they have this type of Hematuria when they had undergone a random urine test. The other type is called Gross Hematuria. It is the type when patients have urine that is either red, pink, or brown.

Consulting a doctor when you have seen blood in the urine or doing a regular check-up will detect Hematuria. Doctors highly suggest that patients do that since most of these cases do not cause pain or other symptoms.

Having yourself tested can help you detect and cure a possible underlying disease that you may have. Hematuria may be caused by:

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Kidney stones
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Certain drugs, such as aspirin, pain relievers, antibiotics, and blood thinners
  • Swelling of the prostate, kidney, bladder, or urethra
  • Kidney or bladder cancer
  • Vigorous exercise

As you can see, there are severe diseases that may be causing Hematuria. That’s why you must seek immediate consultation. Although most cases of Hematuria are not risky, some of them may be a sign of life-threatening illnesses.

Medical Tests that a Patient May Undergo

Before you undergo a test or repeat urine test, your doctor would need to know about your lifestyle and medical history, including:

  • If you have any infections
  • If you have kidney stones
  • If you have recent injuries
  • If you have been smoking
  • If you recently had your menstruation (for women)
  • If you are taking any medications

Here are the typical tests that you will undergo:

1. Physical exam – to check your bladder or kidney for any pain or tenderness

2. Rectal exam for men – to examine any prostate problems

3. Pelvic exam for women – to identify the source of blood in the urine

You may also undergo:

4. Cystoscopy – to examine your bladder and urethra using a cystoscope, a thin tube with a camera, to examine any cancer cells.

5. Kidney imaging tests (either a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound) – to look for a growing tumor, kidney or bladder stone, or an enlarged prostate.

6. Blood test – to check a high level of protein creatinine, which is a sign of kidney disease

If, after all these tests, your doctor can’t identify the cause of blood in the urine, they may request that you do a urine retest after a year or more.

Treatment for Different Causes

The only way you can cure Hematuria is by treating its underlying cause. In case your doctor has identified the cause of your Hematuria, they will diagnose and help you manage your underlying disease. They may recommend you to take medical treatments or surgeries and take medication.

  • For urinary tract infection – treated with antibiotics
  • For kidney stones – medication or surgery
  • For kidney or bladder cancer – surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation

Conclusion

Whether you have a Microscopic or Gross Hematuria, it is best to consult with your doctor. Some of these cases may be a sign of an underlying disease. So, consulting your doctor helps you detect or treat the disease early. In case you may have an underlying illness, know that it can be cured with proper evaluation and treatment.

If you had recently seen blood in your urine, you should consult one of our urologists in New Jersey. Contact us today to request an appointment, and have your body medically checked.

Disclaimer: All content found on the UUANJ.COM Website, including text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.

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