Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Checking your urine at home
• Part 2 of 3: Seeing a Doctor
• Part 3 of 3: Causes of hematuria

The presence of blood in the urine is called hematuria. This condition should not be ignored as it may indicate a serious medical condition. While you shouldn't panic, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Blood in the urine is not dangerous by itself, but it can be a sign of serious problems with the urinary tract, bladder, or kidneys. Learn to recognize blood in your urine so that you can seek medical attention on time if necessary.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Checking your urine at home

1. 1 Pay attention to the color of your urine. Blood in the urine can give it a reddish, pink, or brown (like Coca-Cola) color. After urinating, step back and observe the color of the urine before rinsing off the water behind you.
   • The urine should be clear and light yellow in color. In color, it should resemble the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.
   • If your urine is darker in color, it could mean that your body is dehydrated. Increase your water intake to 8-10 glasses (2-2.5 liters) per day for a healthier urine color.
   • Dark or orange urine can also indicate liver problems, especially in the case of light-colored stools and yellowed skin. If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
2. 2 Look for other symptoms. Blood in the urine is often a sign of problems with the bladder, urinary tract, or kidneys.
   • Have you experienced pain or irritation with recent trips to the bathroom? Is it difficult for you to control urination, or is it accompanied by a burning sensation? These signs may indicate a urinary tract infection.
   • Are you experiencing pain in the kidney area? Typically, this pain is felt in the lumbar region. The kidneys are located under the ribs on either side of the spine (but not in the waist or over the buttocks, as is often thought). If you are experiencing pain in the lower back, your kidneys may be inflamed or irritated.
   • Are you a long-distance runner? The presence of blood in the urine can be caused by strenuous exercise, especially in marathon runners. This is generally harmless, but it is best to consult your doctor.
   • Are you menstruating? Blood in the urine may be present when urinating during menstruation. Although blood in the urine itself is usually harmless, you should consult your doctor if symptoms persist after your period ends.
3. 3 See your doctor. If you find blood in your urine, you should see your doctor. Although you may be fine, the presence of blood in the urine is a serious symptom, the significance of which can only be judged by a specialist.
   • To get started, make an appointment with a therapist. The doctor will review your medical history and will be able to order appropriate urine and blood tests. It is possible that, if necessary, the therapist will refer you to a narrower specialist (for example, a urologist), who will be able to make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe a suitable treatment.

Part 2 of 3: Seeing a Doctor

1. 1 Collect urine for analysis. Your doctor will most likely order a urinalysis, although they may also check for other abnormalities, such as pain in the kidneys or bladder. A urine test will help the doctor determine the cause of the presence of blood in the urine.
   • If, as a result of the study, Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli), you probably have a bladder infection (or cystitis). The test can also identify bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that enter the urine from the anus. This often happens with urethritis or a urethral infection. In addition, cancer cells may be found when urine is examined.
   • If there is a large amount of protein in the urine, it may indicate kidney disease.
2. 2 Get a blood test. In addition to urine testing, your doctor may order a blood test. A blood sample can be taken either at the clinic itself or sent to a hospital or other specialized institution. Then the sample will go to the laboratory, where it will be analyzed.
   • A doctor may order a blood test to determine the presence of creatinine, a waste product that is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys under normal conditions. High blood creatinine levels may indicate kidney problems.
3. 3 Get a biopsy. If urine and blood tests indicate serious kidney problems, your doctor may order a biopsy. This will take a small sample of your kidney tissue and examine it under a microscope. This is a very common procedure.
   • The biopsy is taken under local anesthesia. The doctor uses a special needle that is guided using a CT scan or ultrasound image.
   • After taking a tissue sample, it is examined by a pathologist in a laboratory. The doctor will report the results in about a week and discuss the appropriate treatment with you if necessary.
4. 4 Learn about more specialized research methods. It is possible that the doctor will make a diagnosis based on the results of urine and blood tests. Otherwise, he may order additional tests, such as cystoscopy or imaging.
   • Cystoscopy is more invasive than biopsy.In cystoscopy, a tubular instrument is inserted into the urethra and bladder to see abnormal growths and tumors in these organs.
   • Large enough formations and tumors that cause blood in the urine can be detected in the urinary tract and using x-rays. Usually, such a study is prescribed only if other methods have not made it possible to find out the cause of the presence of blood in the urine.
5. 5 Get treatment. If there is blood in the urine, treatment depends on the specific cause. If you have a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics (usually taken as tablets or capsules 1 to 2 times a day). For kidney stones, you may receive shock wave therapy.
   • It is also possible that the doctor will not find any serious reasons for the appearance of blood in the urine. In this case, treatment can be dispensed with, but in the future, you should carefully monitor for possible recurrent manifestations of hematuria.

Part 3 of 3: Causes of hematuria

1. 1 Learn about the causes of hematuria. Blood in the urine can appear for a variety of reasons, both completely harmless and more serious. Harmless include menstruation or excessive exercise (especially in conditions of dehydration). More serious causes of hematuria include the following:
   • urinary tract infection;
   • blood clots and blood clotting problems such as hemophilia;
   • stones in the kidneys;
   • kidney disease or diabetes mellitus;
   • enlargement of the prostate gland;
   • injury or damage to the kidneys;
   • kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer.
2. 2 Pay attention to invisible symptoms. In fact, there are two forms of hematuria: macro- and microscopic. With macroscopic hematuria, the presence of blood in the urine can be seen by the pink, reddish or brown color of the latter. At the same time, microscopic hematuria is not accompanied by visible changes in urine color.
   • If you have a family history of kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer, see your doctor once a year and have a urine test, especially if you are over 40. Microscopic hematuria may indicate more serious problems with the urinary system, but tests are needed to identify it.
3. 3 Prevent reoccurrence of hematuria. Although specific measures depend on the cause of the appearance of blood in the urine, there are several general rules that can be followed.
   • If the hematuria was caused by a urinary tract infection, drink enough water (8-10 glasses, or 2-2.5 liters per day) to keep your body hydrated. Women should wipe from front to back when using the restroom to avoid introducing bacteria from the anus into the urinary tract.
   • If kidney stones are the cause of hematuria, drink plenty of water and refrain from salty foods.
   • If hematuria is due to bladder or kidney cancer, drink plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet of lean meats and vegetables, and quit smoking. Moderate exercise will also help.