Blood in urine: Causes and diagnosis

Blood in urine can be an indication of various health issues related to the urinary tract including the urinary bladder, kidneys or the urethra. You can get alarmed seeing blood in your urine. Blood in urine which can be seen through naked eyes is called gross hematuria and the one which is visible only through lab tests is called microscopic hematuria . 

Some of the causes of blood in urine can be:

Urinary tract infections: 

These infections occur when there’s a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. The bacteria usually enters the urinary system through the urethra and multiples further to infect the tract. There is usually a strong urge to urinate but very little urine comes out. It is also accompanied by pain and burning sensation. 

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Pyelonephritis or kidney infection:

It can occur when the bacteria reaches the kidneys through the blood  or moves from the urethra to kidneys. 

Kidney or bladder stone:

Formation of crystals or hard stones on the walls of your kidneys or bladder can cause blood in urine. These crystals are formed from the minerals present in the urine. They can develop both in the kidney or urinary bladder. There is severe pain if these stones cause blockage in the tract, or when passing during urination.

Cancer: 

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Although not common, blood in urine can indicate the cancer of the bladder, kidney, or any other part of the urinary tract. This often happens in the advanced cancer forms and indicates serious damage. 

Medications:

If you are on certain medications, they can cause hematuria. Some of the medications include:

• penicillin
• heparin and warfarin 
• cyclophosphamide
• aspirin

Diagnosis:

It’s really important not to self diagnose. Even if it's the first time or the amount of blood is very less, you must see a doctor. Your doctor will ask about the amount of blood, frequency of urination, any pain or if you are taking any medications.

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Your doctor will request for a lab test of blood and urine to detect any infection or abnormalities. They can also do a physical examination or order a CT scan or ultrasound to put the diagnosis. In some cases you can go through a test procedure called cystoscopy. 

If you have any symptoms don’t ignore it and consult a doctor to get the diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.