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What is Hematuria?
Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It can be characterized as either “gross” (visible to the naked eye) or “microscopic” (visible only under a microscope). Hematuria can originate from any site along the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate and urethra. In many patients, no specific cause is found. However, hematuria may be an indication of infection, kidney stone disease or urinary tract cancer.
What are the causes of Hematuria?
There are many reasons why blood may be present in the urine, and hematuria does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, since it can be a sign of a serious medical condition requiring treatment, you should be evaluated by your physician. Some common causes of hematuria include the following:
How is hematuria diagnosed and treated?
Unlike gross hematuria, in which you can see blood in the urine, microscopic hematuria often has no symptoms and is detected with a urine dipstick test. If the dipstick test is positive for blood, the amount of blood is often determined by looking at the urine through a microscope. If three or more red blood cells are seen per high-power field on two of three specimens, further evaluation is recommended to determine a cause. Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. Additional tests may also be necessary, such as urinalysis, blood tests, x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scan and cystoscopy Treatment of hematuria depends on your physician's evaluation of your condition and its cause as well as your symptoms and medical history.
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