- Main causes of blood in the urine
- 1. Urinary infection
- 2. Kidney stone
- 3. Ingestion of some medicines
- 4. Kidney, bladder or prostate cancer
- Bloody urine in pregnancy
- Urine with blood in the newborn
- When to go to the doctor
Bloody urine can be called hematuria or hemoglobinuria according to the amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin found in the urine during microscopic evaluation. Most of the time urine with isolated blood does not cause symptoms, however it is possible that some symptoms may arise according to the cause, such as burning urination, pink urine and the presence of blood strands in the urine, for example.
The presence of blood in the urine is usually related to problems with the kidneys or urinary tract, however it can also happen due to excessive physical activity, and it is not a concern if it lasts less than 24 hours. In the specific case of women, bloody urine may also appear during menstruation, and should not be a cause for alarm.
Main causes of blood in the urine
The main causes of blood in the urine are:
1. Urinary infection
Urinary tract infection is more common in women and usually leads to the appearance of some symptoms, such as frequent urge to urinate, painful urination and a feeling of heaviness in the bottom of the belly.
The presence of blood in the urine in this case is more common than when the infection is already at a more advanced stage and when there are large amounts of microorganisms. Thus, when examining urine, it is common to observe numerous bacteria, leukocytes and epithelial cells, in addition to red blood cells.
What to do: It is important to consult a gynecologist or urologist, as the urinary tract infection must be treated with antibiotics prescribed by the doctor according to the microorganism identified.
2. Kidney stone
The presence of kidney stones, also known as kidney stones, is more common in adults, but can occur at any age, causing burning on urination, severe pain in the back and nausea.
In the urine exam, besides the presence of red blood cells, cylinders and crystals are often found according to the type of stone present in the kidneys. Here's how to know if you have kidney stones.
What to do: The kidney stone is a medical emergency due to the severe pain it causes and, therefore, it is recommended to go to the emergency room as soon as possible in order to establish the most appropriate treatment. In some cases, the use of some drugs that favor the elimination of stones in the urine may be indicated, but when even with the use of the medicine there is no elimination or when the stone is very large, surgery is recommended to promote its destruction and removal.
3. Ingestion of some medicines
The use of some anticoagulant medications, such as Warfarin or Aspirin, can cause blood to appear in the urine, especially in elderly patients.
What to do: In these cases, it is recommended that the doctor who indicated the use of the drug be consulted to adjust the dose or change the treatment.
4. Kidney, bladder or prostate cancer
The presence of blood can often be indicative of cancer in the kidneys, bladder and prostate and, therefore, is one of the main symptoms indicative of cancer in men. In addition to the change in urine, it is also possible that other signs and symptoms may appear, such as urinary incontinence, painful urination and weight loss without an apparent cause, for example.
What to do: It is recommended to consult a gynecologist, in the case of the woman, or a urologist, in the case of the man, if these symptoms appear or the blood appears for no apparent reason, because as soon as the diagnosis is made, the sooner it is started the treatment and the greater the chances of cure.
Bloody urine in pregnancy
Bloody urine in pregnancy is usually caused by a urinary tract infection, however, the blood can originate in the vagina and mix with the urine, indicating more serious problems, such as placental detachment, which should be treated as soon as possible. possible to avoid changes in the baby's development.
Therefore, whenever bloody urine appears during pregnancy, it is advisable to inform the obstetrician immediately so that he can carry out the necessary diagnostic tests and start the appropriate treatment.
Urine with blood in the newborn
Bloody urine in the newborn is generally not serious, as it can be caused by the presence of urate crystals in the urine, which give a red or pink color, making it look like the baby has blood in the urine.
Thus, to treat urine with blood in the newborn, parents must give the baby water several times a day to dilute the urine. However, if the blood in the urine does not disappear after 2 to 3 days, it is recommended to consult the pediatrician to diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment.
Know other causes of blood in the baby's diaper.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to consult a gynecologist, in the case of the woman, or a urologist, in the case of the man, when the urine with blood is persistent, for more than 48 hours, there is difficulty to urinate or urinary incontinence, or when other symptoms like fever appear above 38ºC, severe pain when urinating or vomiting.
To identify the cause of bloody urine, your doctor may order diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or cystoscopy.
