When you can visibly see blood in your urine, meaning it appears red, brown, or cola colored, it is a sure sign you should seek medical treatment. We don’t say that to worry or concern you, in most cases blood in your urine is the sign of a mild or non life threatening condition, but still should be taken seriously.
The technical term for having blood in your urine is actually Hematuria. There are two types of Hematuria you can experience. The first is gross Hematuria and is observed just as we explained above. When you can visibly see blood in your urine with the naked eye, that is considered gross Hematuria.
The second is microscopic hematuria, and this is when blood can only be observed in the urine through a microscope.
So, what should you do if you have blood in your Urine? Contact your doctor or a Urology specialist in Dayton, Ohio right away.
There are a multitude of reasons you could have blood in your urine and a specialist will be able to get to the bottom of it and help you treat it efficiently.
What are The Causes of Hematuria?
Red blood cells in your urine could indicate a number of different complications happening within your body. Many times these symptoms act as a warning sign for underlying urological issues.
Structural Causes of Hematuria
Kidneys that contain cysts (fluid-filled sacs) or are blocked may lead to any type of hematuria. An ultrasound of the kidney can determine if an abnormal structure is causing blood in the urine.
Inherited Causes of Hematuria
Several different diseases that run in families can cause hematuria. These include Polycystic Kidney Disease, Alport Syndrome, inherited nephritis, certain types of hemophilia and Sickle Cell disease in the African-American population.
Mineral Imbalances in the Urine
High levels of calcium in the urine can cause hematuria. The hematuria may be painless or cause pain in the area of the kidney and/or a burning feeling during urination.
Individuals that have this condition have a higher risk for having a kidney stone, but less than 10-15 percent develop a stone. Most adults with microscopic hematuria do not need treatment unless they have a kidney stone
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is a common cause of blood in the urine. There are many types of glomerulonephritis. Some of these are mild and resolve on their own while others are more serious and need medication. Blood tests can identify some kinds of glomerulonephritis. In some cases, a kidney biopsy may be needed to find the exact
form of the disease
Idiopathic hematuria
“Idiopathic” means that no specific cause can be found for blood in the urine. Idiopathic hematuria can run in families, and is called familial idiopathic hematuria. When there is not a family history of kidney failure and other medical tests are negative; usually, no treatment is needed.
Seeking Treatment
Like we mentioned at the very beginning, if you notice visible blood in your urine, you should seek medical treatment as soon as you can. Your body is letting you know something isn’t right, and luckily a urologist will be able to offer your treatment options based on your body’s unique signs and symptoms.