Hematuria—Adult
Condition
(Blood in the Urine—Adult)
Definition
Hematuria is blood in the urine. Normally, urine does not have any blood.
There are two kinds of hematuria:
- Microscopic hematuria—small amount of blood that people cannot see
- Gross hematuria—enough blood to make urine appear red or tea-colored
Causes
Many things can cause blood to be in the urine, such as:
- Injury to the belly, pelvis, or internal organs of the urinary tract
- Some medicines
- Intense exercise
- Urinary tract infection or kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Kidney disease
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia
- Cancer of the prostate , kidney , or bladder
- Radiation of the pelvis for cancer treatment
- Some health issues people are born with, such as polycystic kidneys
In some people, the cause is not known.
Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Smoking
- Taking certain medicines, such as antibiotics and pain relievers
- A family history of kidney problems
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A person with blood in the urine may have no other symptoms.
People may also have symptoms related to the cause. For example, kidney stones can cause pain in the side, belly, or groin.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A doctor who focuses on kidney or bladder problems may need to be seen.
To help find a cause, the doctor may do:
- Urine tests
- Blood tests
The organs in the pelvis and belly may need to be viewed. This can be done with:
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
- X-ray
- Intravenous pyelogram
- MRI scan
- Cystoscopy—a scope is passed up into the bladder
Treatment
Some people will not need treatment. Symptoms may go away on their own.
For others, treatment will depend on the cause. Medicine or surgery may be needed.
Prevention
Prevention will depend on the cause.
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
National Kidney Foundation
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
National Kidney Foundation
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
References
- Gross hematuria—approach to the adult. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/gross-hematuria-approach-to-the-adult.
- Hematuria in children. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hematuria.
- Hematuria in children—approach to the patient. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/hematuria-in-children-approach-to-the-patient.
- Microhematuria—approach to the adult. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/microhematuria-approach-to-the-adult-28.
- Urination problems. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/symptom/urination-problems.
Contributors
- Mary-Beth Seymour, RN
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