Dorothy FarrarHematuria
Hematuria is the medical term for increased excretion of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the urine. Blood in the urine can have various causes, but should always be checked out by a doctor.
What is hematuria?
Hematuria, or blood in the urine , is a warning sign that should always be looked into. However, this can also occur in healthy people, for example after great physical exertion. While some patients experience pain at the same time – primarily when urinating – other patients feel no pain at all.
As a general rule, you should not put off seeing a doctor if you discover blood in your urine. Medicine distinguishes between two types of hematuria: in microscopic hematuria, the urine is not discolored; this can only be seen under the microscope or using test strips. In the case of macrohematuria, on the other hand, the urine is clearly red in color and visible to the naked eye.
causes
Hematuria can have numerous harmless causes, but can also occur as a side effect of serious illnesses and should therefore always be clarified by a doctor.
Bladder and kidney stones can trigger hematuria as well as a kidney infection or a bladder infection. In the latter case, pain when urinating and an increased urge to urinate are additional symptoms. Urinary tract infections as causes of hematuria are very common, especially in women.
In female patients, the blood in the urine may simply be menstrual blood . Injuries to the organs of the lower urinary tract are also associated with blood in the urine. Certain drugs or radiation can also trigger hematuria. Serious diseases such as tumors or prostate cancer are only present in men in very few cases . Blood in the urine is usually the only sign of bladder cancer in particular, as it often does not cause pain.
Diseases
Typical diseases with hematuria:
When to the doctor?
If hematuria occurs, a doctor should always be consulted. Many causes of blood in the urine are harmless and easy to treat. In a few cases, however, hematuria can be an indication of a serious illness and should therefore be medically clarified as soon as possible.
Blood in the urine can be associated with many other symptoms such as increased urination, painful urination, back pain , abdominal pain and fever . But even if the hematuria occurs without any other symptoms, a family doctor or urologist should be consulted. Women who observe blood in their urine during menstruation should also consult a doctor to be on the safe side.
Hematuria can manifest itself in different ways. The urine may only show a very slight red colouration, but it should also be examined in this case. In summary, it should be mentioned that hematuria should always be clarified by a doctor. Feelings of shame are inappropriate and delaying a visit to the doctor for too long can unnecessarily endanger your health. Regardless of whether the hematuria occurs alone or in combination with other symptoms, a doctor’s appointment should be made as soon as possible.
diagnosis and course
To find out which disease is responsible for the hematuria, the doctor will seek comprehensive examinations. First, however, he will ask the patient about their previous illnesses and symptoms as well as the medication they are taking. Eating and drinking habits are also important, because blood is not always the cause of the urine turning red. Beetroot can also cause red coloring, as can red wine or red syrup.
After a detailed physical examination, the doctor will probably carry out an ultrasound examination , because with this he can quickly identify kidney or bladder stones, for example. A tumor can also be ruled out quickly and reliably with the help of this examination. In addition, the urine is examined in the laboratory to determine the number of white and red blood cells.
Only in rare cases is an examination of the ureter necessary: During this examination, a long endoscope is inserted through the bladder into the ureter. The mucous membrane of the ureter can be precisely assessed and tumors or stones can be identified.
An X-ray examination , a reflection of the bladder or a biopsy of the kidney are other useful examinations to track down the causes of the disease.
complications
Left untreated, blood in the urine can have serious consequences. Hematuria can lead to various complications. When the blood cannot be distributed enough in the urine, it clots in some cases. As a result, so-called coagulum is formed, which blocks the urinary tract. Urinary retention can occur, which is sometimes accompanied by severe pain. The consequences are bladder emptying disorders, bladder infections and inflammatory reactions in all organs of the urinary system.
If hematuria is not diagnosed in good time and the cause is not treated, irreversible damage to the bladder, kidneys, ureters or prostate can occur. Untreated hematuria can lead to anemia over the long term . Anemia is understood as a lack of red blood cells, the erythrocytes. The result is paleness, shortness of breath, fatigue and feelings of weakness. Especially during pregnancy, anemia can lead to further complications such as heavy bleeding.
treatment and therapy
In order to be able to treat hematuria correctly and successfully, it is first necessary to find out its cause. Bladder infection is often the cause of blood in the urine; in this case, antibiotics help very well.
In the case of bladder or kidney stones, shock wave therapy can help quite well, with the help of which the stones come off easily. The stones can also be removed as part of a cystoscopy. In the case of tumors as a trigger, an operation and subsequent radiation, often in combination with chemotherapy, are usually unavoidable.
outlook and prognosis
During the course of the disease, the affected person usually suffers from severe pain when urinating. This pain can also lead to psychological problems or depression . If the hematuria is an infection, it can be fought relatively easily. The symptoms disappear relatively quickly and there are no further complaints.
Inflammations of the urethra or the bladder can also be limited relatively well with the help of medication, so that the disease progresses positively. In the case of bladder stones or urinary stones , direct treatment is often not possible. However, as soon as the stone emerges, the pain usually disappears.
If a tumor disease is responsible for the hematuria, an operation or chemotherapy may be necessary. However, no general course of the disease can be predicted. However, hematuria may reduce the life expectancy of those affected.
prevention
To prevent hematuria, a healthy lifestyle is essential. Above all, giving up smoking has top priority, because nicotine is considered one of the main triggers for bladder cancer. It is also important to drink enough fluids throughout the day, as this gives the kidneys optimal support in their work. Drinking at least 1.5 liters of liquid a day actively prevents urinary stones. Water or unsweetened fruit juices and teas are preferable.
High blood pressure and diabetes should be prevented at all costs, as these two diseases can permanently damage the kidneys and thus lead to blood in the urine. To prevent these diseases, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise in the fresh air are immensely important. This leads to the immune system being strengthened, which in turn can prevent inflammation .
Obesity should be avoided as much as possible, as this in turn promotes diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Since some medications can also cause blood in the urine, you should definitely read the side effects carefully and possibly switch to another medication.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.