Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
If you notice blood in your urine, it is often alarming and stressful. However, the cause is harmless in many instances, blood in the urine (hematuria) may indicate a severe urinary disorder.
As many studies show that 24 million Indians suffer from urinary problems.
By itself, hematuria will be the symptom of a rare medical condition. Therefore, ignoring it can cause the worsening of underlying life-threatening diseases like cancer and kidney disease.
Hematuria may be a medical term used for the presence of red blood cells in your urine. If the blood cells are in excess, the urine can become bright red or pink in color.
The blood in your urine may or may not be visible to the eye. So hematuria is usually classified into two types.
Gross hematuria
When you can clearly see that the urine has turned red or notice the passage of blood clots in urine, it’s mentioned as gross hematuria.
Microscopic hematuria
If your urine appears clear to the eye but when seen under a microscope, red blood cells are often identified in your urine, it’s called microscopic hematuria. an easy lab test where the urine sample is observed under a microscope can confirm microscopic hematuria. The prevalence of microscopic hematuria in adults ranges from 0.19 to 21 percent.
Who is more likely to possess hematuria?
Anyone can develop hematuria, but certain people are more likely to develop hematuria. It includes people with :
Symptoms and causes of blood in the urine
It is vital to know that the symptom of blood in urine must be evaluated as early as possible. Any blood in urine can indicate a life-threatening condition and needs early diagnosis and management. Gross hematuria generally produces pink, red, or cola-colored urine. It can occur due to the presence of red blood cells in urine. Hematuria is often painless or painful.
Painless hematuria is typically seen in cancers of the kidney or bladder while painful hematuria could be either due to infection or blood clots resulting in obstruction to the flow of urine. Bloody urine can often occur without other signs or symptoms. Therefore recognizing the first symptom of hematuria, especially the primary episode, is vital to urge timely treatment.
What causes hematuria?
There are often multiple causes of the occurrence of blood in the urine. counting on the location of origin of blood, causes are often classified into
Urinary Causes
Infections
Infection in your tract, infections of the kidney, prostate, or bladder is often among the causes of hematuria. These are more common in women and other people in the elderly age group. Moreover, it often causes pain and lowers tract symptoms of increased frequency of urination and inability to carry urine.
Stones
Kidneys stones also can present with blood in the urine. Stones are crystals that will form in the urine and increase in size. Large stones in kidneys may fall in the ureter causing a blockage that always leads to hematuria.
Enlarged prostate
In middle-aged or older men, a standard explanation for hematuria is an enlarged prostate. This gland lies beneath the bladder and surrounding the urethra. When the prostate gets enlarged, it can cause bleeding inside the urethra which may manifest as blood in the urine. Infection of the enlarged prostate is another common explanation for hematuria.
Kidney disease
People with kidney diseases can complain of blood in the urine. This needs evaluation and should be related to a leak of proteins in urine also. An inflamed or infected kidney also can cause the blood within the urine.
Cancer
Cancers of the tract often present with painless hematuria. Cancer of the kidneys or ureters can cause the passage of worm-like clots in urine. bladder cancer most ordinarily presents with the passage of amorphous clots and multiple episodes of hematuria. prostate cancer also can present with blood in the urine in its advanced stage. Passage of clots in urine might be an ominous sign of a life-threatening disease and must be thoroughly evaluated. Identifying the underlying explanation for blood in urine can help your doctor to diagnose your condition at the earliest possible and start timely treatment.
How is hematuria diagnosed?
You may often ignore blood in urine by considering it as a non-serious issue. However, it shouldn’t be ignored. it’s vital to right away contact your healthcare provider if you see blood in the urine or discover a change in the color of urine. Your doctor can ask you certain questions, including:
How often does one urinate?
Do you experience any pain while passing urine?
Are you also passing blood clots during urination?
Are you taking any antiplatelet medications (blood thinners)?
Based on these questions, he also can ask about your medical history and send a sample of your urine for lab tests. this is often also referred to as urinalysis. He might also suggest blood tests or imaging studies understand the matter more accurately. Every patient with hematuria must be evaluated by :
CT scan: this is often a special quiet imaging study (like X-ray) that helps in localizing the cause of blood within the urine. just in case of cancer or stones in your bladder, kidney, or ureter, the location and of the disease are often identified by a CT Scan.
Ultrasound KUB: The test uses sound waves to make an image of your kidney. Blood clots and bladder masses are often identified using a CT scan. Any hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney) also can be identified in an ultrasound scan.
Cystoscopy: During this test, a doctor threads a little flexible tube with a camera mounted thereon to examine your urethra and bladder. Any cancer of the bladder is often identified by this test. the world of the prostate and urethra also can be visualized and any abnormality is often detected.
Treatment to undertake
Depending on the condition, your doctor might start the treatment by prescribing medications. the knowledge collected by the doctor from the medical history, physical exam, and other tests will help determine the best treatment option. you’ll require a surgical intervention supported by the results of the above-mentioned tests.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe certain antibiotics to treat infections of the urinary tract. Hematuria caused by tract Infections [ UTI] is treated mainly through antibiotics. These antibiotics help kill the bacteria causing UTI.
Hematuria caused by kidney stones is often painful. Hence, a doctor may prescribe medications to pass the stones. Moreover, a procedure called Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy [URSL] also can help in breaking up the stones. this is often a stitchless procedure that can help you get rid of kidney stones.
If an enlarged prostate is causing hematuria, your doctor may prescribe medications like alpha-blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
Maintaining an active lifestyle.
Following a lively lifestyle is vital to your kidney and bladder health. you can follow the below-mentioned steps for better health:
Drink much water daily. it’s suggested that you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily.
Cutting down on alcohol and caffeinated food can help improve your bladder health.
Quit cigarette smoking
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At Amandeep Group of Hospitals, we have the resources to supply you with the best medical treatment. Our Urology surgeons will provide the most effective treatment for various urological problems.
Book a meeting with the best urologists hospital in India to urge the most deserving care.
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