Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It LooksWhere It Comes FromTypes of HematuriaCommon SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionComplicationsWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Looks
Where It Comes From
Types of Hematuria
Common Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Complications
When to Seek Medical Care
Blood in the urine(hematuria) happens when any amount of blood is detected in a person’s urine. People with gross hematuria can see blood in their urine because the urine appears red, pink, or brown. With microscopic hematuria, blood cannot be seen in the urine but can be found with a urine test.
As many as 1 in 5 people who see aurologistare diagnosed with hematuria.There are several causes of hematuria, ranging from benign to serious. Blood in the urine can come from anywhere in theurinary tract, including the kidneys,ureters, bladder, or urethra.
This article discusses blood in the urine, including the causes, treatment options, and how it is diagnosed.
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What Does Blood in the Urine Look Like?
Blood in the urine is typically microscopic and can only be detected with a urine test (urinalysis). When blood is visible in the urine, it often turns the urine pink, red, or brown. You may notice just a very light tinge of pink color or deep red, depending on how much blood is present.
Where Does the Blood in the Urine Come From?
Blood in the urine can come from any area of the urinary tract. Urine is produced in thekidneysto remove waste and fluid from the body. It then flows through the ureters to thebladderto be stored. When released, the urethra takes the urine outside of the body.
There are two types of hematuria, and they have their unique causes. They are:
Other Common Symptoms With Blood in the Urine
People with blood in their urine may experience other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:
What Causes Blood in the Urine?
There are several possible causes of blood in the urine. The cause could be benign, like vigorous exercise or side effects from medication. It could also be a sign of a serious condition like cancer or kidney disease.
Possible causes of blood in the urine include:
Less common causes of blood in the urine may include:
What Causes Blood in Urine With No Pain in Females?
How Is the Cause of Blood in the Urine Diagnosed?
Once you and your healthcare provider determine that you have blood in your urine, the next step is determining what is causing it. It is essential to see a provider when you notice blood in your urine.
Your provider will likely start with a physical exam and medical history. Other diagnostic tests include:
Your healthcare provider may recommend a urine test (urinalysis) to detect blood in the urine. This type of test can show blood, blood cells, chemicals, and other substances in the urine.To obtain a “clean catch” sample, you will be asked to wash your hands, cleanse the area with a special wipe, and urinate into a small cup.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a urine test (urinalysis) to detect blood in the urine. This type of test can show blood, blood cells, chemicals, and other substances in the urine.
To obtain a “clean catch” sample, you will be asked to wash your hands, cleanse the area with a special wipe, and urinate into a small cup.
How Blood in the Urine Is Treated
The treatment for blood in the urine depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include:
About 1 in 4 people with blood in their urine have an unknown cause. When this happens, your healthcare provider will likely recommend regular checkups to monitor the hematuria and look for signs of a problem.
How to Prevent Blood in Urine
It may not always be possible to prevent blood in the urine. It is often a sign of a health condition that needs to be treated.
To promote a healthy urinary tract, consider the following habits:
Complications from Blood in the Urine
When blood is present in your urine, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. It is important to see your healthcare provider to determine the cause and find the right treatment plan. If you do not treat hematuria’s underlying cause, it may worsen.
An untreated urinary tract infection can lead to urinary tract damage, inflammation, andincontinenceproblems. If the infection spreads to the blood, it could lead to a life-threatening condition calledsepsis.
Untreated kidney disease may lead to permanent kidney damage. Untreated cancer may lead to cancer spread (metastasis). See a healthcare provider if you are unsure if there is blood in your urine.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Some causes of hematuria are serious and require immediate treatment. Even a small amount of blood could indicate a significant problem.
See a healthcare provider immediately if you develop blood in the urine along with abdominal pain, low-back pain, side pain, painful urination, or trouble urinating. Consider seeking immediate treatment if you also develop a high fever,chills, nausea and vomiting, or an inability to urinate.
Summary
Blood in the urine can come from anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Because blood in the urine can indicate a serious health condition, see your healthcare provider immediately.
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8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hematuria (blood in the urine).National Kidney Foundation.Hematuria (blood in urine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blood in your urine? Don’t delay, See your healthcare provider today!.Nemours Kids Health.Blood in the urine (hematuria).Ingelfinger JR.Hematuria in adults.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(2):153-163. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1604481Leonardi M, Espada M, Kho RM, et al.Endometriosis and the urinary tract: From diagnosis to surgical treatment.Diagnostics (Basel). 2020;10(10):771. doi:10.3390/diagnostics10100771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sickle cell trait and hematuria.MedlinePlus.Blood in urine.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hematuria (blood in the urine).National Kidney Foundation.Hematuria (blood in urine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blood in your urine? Don’t delay, See your healthcare provider today!.Nemours Kids Health.Blood in the urine (hematuria).Ingelfinger JR.Hematuria in adults.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(2):153-163. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1604481Leonardi M, Espada M, Kho RM, et al.Endometriosis and the urinary tract: From diagnosis to surgical treatment.Diagnostics (Basel). 2020;10(10):771. doi:10.3390/diagnostics10100771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sickle cell trait and hematuria.MedlinePlus.Blood in urine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hematuria (blood in the urine).National Kidney Foundation.Hematuria (blood in urine).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blood in your urine? Don’t delay, See your healthcare provider today!.Nemours Kids Health.Blood in the urine (hematuria).Ingelfinger JR.Hematuria in adults.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(2):153-163. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1604481Leonardi M, Espada M, Kho RM, et al.Endometriosis and the urinary tract: From diagnosis to surgical treatment.Diagnostics (Basel). 2020;10(10):771. doi:10.3390/diagnostics10100771Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sickle cell trait and hematuria.MedlinePlus.Blood in urine.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hematuria (blood in the urine).
National Kidney Foundation.Hematuria (blood in urine).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Blood in your urine? Don’t delay, See your healthcare provider today!.
Nemours Kids Health.Blood in the urine (hematuria).
Ingelfinger JR.Hematuria in adults.N Engl J Med. 2021;385(2):153-163. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1604481
Leonardi M, Espada M, Kho RM, et al.Endometriosis and the urinary tract: From diagnosis to surgical treatment.Diagnostics (Basel). 2020;10(10):771. doi:10.3390/diagnostics10100771
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sickle cell trait and hematuria.
MedlinePlus.Blood in urine.
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