Hematuria - Blood in the Urine
Hematuria is a condition in which blood appears in a patient’s urine. The blood may be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic (only visible under a microscope). Hematuria can originate from any location along the urinary tract. Most of the time, the cause of hematuria is not serious. But, never ignore blood in the urine. Your doctor can evaluate you to find the cause of the bleeding and treat it, if needed. Common risk factors for the condition include, tobacco use, radiation, overuse of certain pain medication and certain chemicals.
There are two types of hematuria
- Gross hematuria means that the blood can be seen by the naked eye. The urine may look pinkish, brownish, or bright red.
- Microscopic hematuria means that the urine is clear, but blood cells can be seen when urine is looked at under a microscope or tested in a lab.
Both types of hematuria can have the same causes. Neither one is necessarily more serious than the other. With either type, you may have other symptoms, such as pain, pressure, or burning when you urinate, abdominal pain, or back pain. Or, you may not have any other symptoms. No matter how much blood is found, the cause of the bleeding needs to be identified.
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