About Hematuria

Hematuria means the presence of blood in the urine.  Blood in the urine comes in two forms: Gross hematuria means that you can see it. Microscopic hematuria means it is only visible under a microscope. Both are evaluated in the same manner, starting with finding out where the blood is coming from. Blood can get into the urine anywhere along the urinary tract, from  the kidneys, where urine is made to the urethra, the tube that drains the bladder. Make an appointment today to get to the bottom of your hematuria.

• What can cause blood in the urine?

  As blood in the urine can come from any part of the urinary tract, there are many potential causes of hematuria. For some people with certain medical conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, other inherited blood disorders, and lupus, blood in the urine may occasionally occur without significant problems. Blood in the urine may also be the sign of an infection in the urinary tract, injury to the kidney or bladder, the result of past radiation therapy to the pelvis, a side effect of certain medications, the result of strenuous exercise, stones in the urinary tract, or an enlarged prostate. Your urologist wants to ensure  that it is not the result of something that will need further attention, such as tumors of the kidney, bladder, prostate or urethra.

• What kind of evaluation can I expect for my blood in the urine?

  Whether you see it just once or multiple time, blood in your urine needs attention. When you see one of the experts at Minnesota Urology, we start by conducting a detailed history. This include any associated symptoms you may have experienced, your daily urinary habits, exercise habits, any recent illness, accidents or injuries, any smoking history or exposure to chemicals that can affect the urinary tract and any personal/family history of kidney stones or disorders of bleeding.

  The two standard tests that are performed for anyone who presents with blood in his urine are  a CT scan and a cystoscopy. A CT scan is a specialized imaging study that looks at your kidneys and ureters (the tubes that drain the kidneys down to the bladder). A cystoscopy is a small telescope test that follows the path of the urine backwards into your bladder. Using the combination of these two tests, we can rule out some of the most serious causes of hematuria. Depending on your unique situation, your urologist may suggest additional blood or urine tests.

• What if we don't find anything?

  It is not uncommon for the work=up for blood in the urine to find no immediate cause. This is what we call “idiopathic hematuria,” which means blood in the urine without an identifiable source. These situations are often attributed to an enlarged prostate (in men) or simply a popped blood vessel to the bladder. Perhaps the most important aspect of hematuria is what it is not, rather than what it is.

• What treatments are available?

  Just like there are a variety of causes of hematuria, there are a variety of treatments to address anything that may be found on your evaluation. Make an appointment today to discuss this further with your expert at Minnesota Urology.