Is your loved one passing blood in their urine? (Hematuria) - Know these things before you panic

What would you think if you saw a little blood in the urine of your elderly mother, father, or other loved one? You would suddenly feel very scared and worried, wouldn't you? It's normal to think, "Oh, is this some serious illness?" However, blood in the urine, which is what we call ``Hematuria'' in medical science, is not always a sign of something serious. However, it is never a good thing to ignore. Especially if something like this happens to an elderly person with a condition like Alzheimer's disease, we should be very concerned about it. Let's talk about this simply today.

When should you seek immediate medical advice?

Before you panic when you see blood in your urine, check for the following symptoms. These can be serious conditions. So it's important to act quickly at a time like this.

What are the main causes of blood in the urine?

There are several common reasons why older people, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, may have blood in their urine.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is the most common cause. This is especially true for people who have urinary incontinence (we call this ``incontinence'') and who have a frequent need to urinate. Symptoms such as fever and body aches may also accompany this.
• Injury: This can happen due to having a catheter in place, frequent itching or scratching of the genital area, or an accident to the back or pelvis.
• Prostate problems: This can affect older men. If the flow of urine is slow or if there is dribbling after urination, this may be a sign.
• Kidney stones: This is another cause of pain.
• Cancer: Cancer of the bladder, kidneys, or prostate can also cause bleeding. This is a more serious cause. That's why it's important to see a doctor.
• Blood thinning medication: Some medications given for conditions such as heart disease also increase the risk of bleeding.

Home care and advice

Once the cause is identified, there are several treatments you can try at home, as advised by your doctor.

If it hurts when you urinate ...

• Give them plenty of water to drink: Keep their favorite drinks (low in sugar) nearby. When they drink plenty of water, their urine will be light yellow or colorless. This will help flush out infections.
• Painkillers: You can give a painkiller that your doctor has approved, such as ``(Acetaminophen)``. But do not give more than 3,000 milligrams per day. If you have liver disease, be sure to ask a doctor before giving it.
• Special medications: Only take medications for urinary tract infections such as `(Phenazopyridine (Pyridium))` if your doctor recommends it. It is normal for your urine to turn a dark orange/red color after taking this.

If you have lower back or back pain...

• A medicine like ``(Acetaminophen)`` can be given temporarily for pain.
• Place a hot water bottle (heating pad) on the painful area.
• If the pain persists or increases, call your doctor immediately.

If you have a catheter...

• Give plenty of water to drink.
• Always check that the urine tube is not kinked anywhere and that it is properly connected to the urine collection bag.
• The most important thing is, don't let them pull on this tube. This can cause serious injury. If you see them doing this, dress them in a way that will cover the tube. Distract them, keep them busy with something they enjoy.

If you constantly scratch or rub your genital area...

• Check the area for redness, swelling, bruising, or unusual discharge.
• For minor inflammation, you can use something like ``Hydrocortisone cream'', ``Zinc Oxide'' paste, or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) that you can buy from the pharmacy, after consulting your doctor.
• Remind them lovingly not to touch the area, but don't scold them. If they forget, distract them. If the skin is very damaged, call the doctor .

If you cannot control your urine flow (incontinence)...

• Keep it away from moisture: Moisture can damage the skin and cause infections.
• Wear clothes that are easy to take off: Clothes with elastic or Velcro are better than buttons or zippers.
• Don't stop giving water: Don't reduce the amount of water you give your dog because you think "he's urinating because he drank a lot of water." This will dehydrate the body and increase the risk of urinary tract infections. If he's urinating frequently at night, it's okay to give him plenty of fluids during the day and stop giving him fluids 3 hours before bedtime.

How can these situations be prevented?

If you are someone who frequently gets urinary tract infections or kidney stones, it is very important to follow these instructions.

• If you get frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs):
• Encourage them to go to the bathroom about every two hours.
• You can try giving cranberry juice or pills. But check with a doctor to make sure there are no problems with other medications they are taking.
• Feed high-fiber foods to prevent constipation.
• If you are a woman, always wipe your vagina from front to back when cleaning. This will help prevent bacteria from stool from entering your vagina.

• If you have a catheter:
• Empty the urine bag when it is more than half full.
• Always place the urine bag below the level of the bladder, but not touching the floor.
• Clean the outside of the catheter daily with soap and lukewarm water.
• To protect yourself and your loved one, be sure to wear disposable gloves when helping them or cleaning up dirty things. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after helping.

Blood in urine, Hematuria, Elderly care, Alzheimer's, Urinary tract infection, UTI, Kidney stones, Catheter, Urinary tract inflammation