Do you have blood in your urine? (Hematuria) Don't worry, let's talk about this!

When you go to the washroom and see that your urine is red, pink, or dark brown, you suddenly feel very scared, right? You may think, "Oh, do I have something serious?" But don't worry. In medical terms, blood in the urine is called hematuria. The most important thing is that this is not a disease, but a symptom of some disease. Therefore, it is not good to ignore it. Let's talk about everything in detail.

Where does this blood come from?

Simply put, blood can come from anywhere in your urinary tract. That means:

• Kidneys: The main organ that makes urine.
• Ureters: Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• Bladder: The sac that stores urine.
• Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Blood in the urine is caused by a problem somewhere in this system.

There are two types of blood in the urine.

This situation can be divided into two main types, depending on whether we see it or not.

1. Gross Hematuria: In this case, you may notice a change in the color of your urine. Instead of the usual light yellow color, your urine may turn pink, red, dark brown, or tea-colored.

2. Microscopic Hematuria: Here you will not see any change in the color of your urine. However, when a urine test is performed in a medical laboratory, red blood cells are found under a microscope.

What other symptoms accompany blood in the urine?

Sometimes you may not have any symptoms other than a change in urine color. However, depending on the underlying condition causing this, other symptoms may also appear. Be aware of these things as well.

What are the main causes of blood in the urine?

There are many things that can cause this. Some are simple, some are a little more serious.

• Urinary Tract or Kidney Infections: This is the most common cause.
• Bladder or Kidney Stones: Stones can injure the delicate parts of the urinary system and cause bleeding.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): This can especially affect aging men.
• Kidney diseases: Inflammatory conditions in the kidney's filtration system (such as glomerulonephritis).
• Cancer conditions: Cancer of the bladder, kidneys, or prostate.
• Injury: Kidney injury from an accident or while playing sports.
• Some medications: Blood thinners like aspirin, heparin, and some antibiotics.
• Excessive exercise: This condition can occur, especially in long-distance runners.
• Other diseases: Hereditary diseases like sickle cell anemia.

But not all red is blood!

For example, if you eat a lot of beetroot, or some food dyes, your urine can turn red. Also, if you are a woman, vaginal bleeding during menstruation can be added to the urine sample, leading to a false conclusion that there is blood in the urine.

How does the doctor diagnose the disease?

When you go to the doctor, he will ask you about your medical history and examine you. Then he may order some tests like this.

• Urinalysis: This is the most basic test. It checks the urine for things like red blood cells and infectious bacteria.
• Blood Tests: These tests help check kidney function and prostate problems.
• Scans:
• Ultrasound Scan: Uses sound waves to take images of the kidneys and bladder.
• CT Scan: This can clearly detect things like stones and tumors in the urinary system.
• Cystoscopy: A small, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the urethra to examine the inside of the bladder. If necessary, a small piece of tissue (biopsy) may be taken to check for abnormal cells.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment depends entirely on the cause of your blood in your urine. The first thing your doctor will do is find the cause and treat it.

• For infections: Antibiotics are given.
• For stones: Depending on the size of the stones, they can be dissolved with medication or crushed and removed using special methods.
• For an enlarged prostate: Shrink it with medication or, if necessary, surgery.
• There are various treatments for kidney disease, ranging from medications, dialysis, or surgery.
• For cancer: Treatments such as medication, radiation therapy, or surgery are determined based on the type and stage of cancer.

Sometimes, even after all the tests, a clear cause cannot be found. If that's the case, your doctor will ask you to have urine tests and blood pressure checked every 3-6 months.

When should you see a doctor immediately?

Never ignore blood in your urine. See your doctor within a day or two for a checkup. However, if you have any of the following symptoms, it may be an emergency.

In such a situation, it is very important to seek prompt treatment.