By Dr Shailendra Kumar Goel, Urology
Presence of blood in urine is called Hematuria. It can be gross hematuria which is visible blood in urine by naked eye. It can be Microscopic Hematuria which is diagnosed by laboratory microscopic examination of urine. Blood in urine (Hematuria) can never be normal.
It is 100 % related to some abnormality in body especially urogenital system. It usually stops on its own or sometimes after taking some medications. But stoppage of blood in urine does not mean that problem has cured. Therefore, it is always important to investigate the cause of blood in urine by Urologist. Thinking that it was because of minor infection can be detrimental as it can be an early sign of cancer.
Common Causes of Hematuria-
- Stones in Urinary Tract: Commonest reason of Hematuria in Young people is stone disease. It usually is associated with pain in one side of abdomen.
- Prostate Enlargement: In males, more than 40 years of age, prostate enlargement causes difficulty in urination. Hematuria can a presentation if prostate problem remains untreated for long.
- Bladder Cancer: It is one of the commonest reason of painless hematuria in people above 40 years of age. In bladder cancer hematuria initially is episodic and stops on its own or with minor medications. So, it is very important to investigate the cause of hematuria in every individual despite the fact it stopped with minor medication or its own. Otherwise we may lose the opportunity to diagnose cancer at an early stage.
- Urinary Tract Infections: Sometime urinary tract infection may lead to hematuria. But even if it stops after a course of antibiotic, it is important to establish why urinary tract infection occurred. Therefore, even if infection is treated, it should by checked and investigated by urologist for its cause.
- Kidney Prostate Cancer: Cancer of any part of urogenital system like kidney, ureter, urinary bladder or prostate may give rise to blood in urine. It can be first indication of cancer.
- Blood Thinners: Cardiac patients do take blood thinners usually. High doses of these antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicines may cause hematuria.
Treatment-
- Antibiotics: This form of treatment is administered when the cause of hematuria is a urinary tract infection.
- Other Medications: There are several other medications to help stop hematuria. But primary treatment is directed toward the cause of hematuria. Symptomatic treatment includes hemosatic medications. Therefore, it is very important to establish the cause of hematuria. It can be detrimental if we ignore it.
