Hematuria, the medical word for blood in your urine, can be caused by a variety of ailments and disorders. Ignoring hematuria can worsen serious problems such as cancer and kidney disease, so consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Are you worried about blood in your urine? To diagnose the source and develop a hematuria treatment plan, Dr. Vikram Shah Batra can help you. The Urethra Clinic offers all medicinal and surgical treatments related to the diseases of the urethra and male sexual organs.
Hematuria
The presence of blood cells in urine is referred to as hematuria. The blood may be visible or so little that it is hard to discern with the naked eye. Hematuria is classified into two types:
Gross hematuria: You have “gross hematuria” if there is sufficient blood in your urine that it appears pinkish or red or has visible blood stains.
Microscopic hematuria: Microscopically minuscule amounts of blood induce “microscopic hematuria.” Only a blood test or examination of a urine sample under the microscope may confirm microscopic hematuria.
Also Read : Know About Hematuria (Blood in Urine): Causes, Symptoms and More
Hematuria Causes
Before knowing about blood in urine treatment, it’s best to learn the causes of your condition. There are several possible reasons for blood in your urine, which include:
Urinary tract infection (UTI): This is an infection in any portion of the urinary system.
Pyelonephritis: This term refers to an infection that has spread to your kidney.
Cystitis: This is an inflamed bladder caused by both infectious and non-infectious sources.
Urinary stone disease: refers to stones discovered in the urinary system, such as kidney stones, bladder stones, and ureteral stones.
Other disorders that might cause blood in the urine include:
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy): Your prostate enlarges in this non-cancerous disorder. The prostate is a gland in the body that produces sperm.
Urinary tract injury: You have received blunt or penetrating damage from an accident or attack.
Menstruation: When you have your period, you may notice blood in your urine.
Endometriosis: is a condition in which portions of the uterine lining grow in sites other than the uterus.
Kidney (renal) disease: When your kidneys are damaged, they don’t work as well as they should.
Sickle cell disease: is a genetic disorder that damages red blood cells.
Aside from these additional illnesses, certain cancers might cause blood in your urine.
Urine Bladder cancer: Urine bladder cancer can cause blood in urine, or hematuria. The bladder tumor may irritate and harm the bladder lining, which could result in bleeding. Additionally, the tumor may encroach on blood arteries, resulting in the mixing of blood and urine. Hematuria should be examined by a specialist as it is a typical sign of bladder cancer.
Cancer of the kidney: Due to kidney tumors, kidney cancer can result in hematuria, which is blood in the urine. As the tumor spreads, it may bleed inside the kidney or invade blood arteries, resulting in blood and urine mingling.
Cancer of the prostate: Urine-containing blood can result from prostate cancer for a number of reasons. The prostate gland may become inflamed and damaged from the malignant growth, which could result in bleeding. The tumor may also encroach on blood vessels or clog the urinary tract, causing blood and urine to mix. Hematuria should be examined by a professional as it may be a sign of prostate cancer.
Also Read: What Does Blood In Urine Indicate?
Hematuria Diagnosis
Your doctor will obtain a medical history and perform a physical exam during your appointment, along with tests that may include:
- Urinalysis: A urine sample test.
- Urine culture: A urine test used to detect infection.
- Urine cytology: A urine test that looks for abnormally shaped cells.
- Cystoscopy: A test that employs a cystoscope to examine the inside of the bladder and urethra.
- Ultrasound: A test that examines your kidney, ureters, and bladder using ultrasound waves.
- CT scan: A diagnostic that employs X-rays and computers to create cross-sectional pictures of your abdomen and pelvis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan A test that produces images of your organs and structures using a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer.
Hematuria Treatment
The hematuria treatment is highly dependent on the underlying cause of the hematuria. Your doctor will work with you to discover the optimal blood-in-urine treatment based on the information gathered from your medical history, physical exam, and test findings.
Medications for treating the causes of blood in the urine
- Antibiotics will be prescribed if an infection causes your hematuria. These medicines reduce the bleeding by destroying the bacteria causing the infection.
- Urologists commonly treat an enlarged prostate with two types of medications: alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
- Your doctor may prescribe disease-modifying therapies such as hydroxyurea, pain relievers, antibiotics, and hematuria treatment that prevent blood cells from dying or creating sickles if you have sickle cell disease.
- In the case of cancer, your doctor will administer treatment appropriate for the stage and severity of the disease as well as your hematuria treatment objectives. Surveillance, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these techniques may be used.
- Your doctor may prescribe a variety of drugs to treat renal disease. These may include diuretics, blood pressure, cholesterol-lowering medications, and erythropoietin to help create red blood cells if you are anemic.
- Your doctor may recommend hormone-related drugs for endometriosis.
Other hematuria treatment
- If drugs do not alleviate hematuria caused by an enlarged prostate, your doctor may recommend surgery.
- Dialysis to filter waste or even a kidney transplant may be required if you have renal disease.
Takeaway
Although blood in your urine does not always indicate the presence of an illness, it can be an essential warning sign of a potential health problem. Because some of the reasons for blood in the urine are dangerous, you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. It’s important to catch any condition early, even if it’s simply a UTI. Never disregard bloody urine.
If you notice blood in your urine or any other urine or bladder-related symptoms, you can book a consultation with Dr. Vikram Shah Batra at the Urethra Clinic. Early detection of any problem is advantageous and Dr. Vikram Batra will work with you to determine the source of the blood in your urine and develop a successful hematuria treatment plan tailored to your needs.
FAQs
1. What is the best treatment for hematuria?
The underlying cause of hematuria determines the course of treatment. If an infection is the cause, prescription medications can be needed. Treatment for kidney stones may include medication, drinking plenty of water, or, in the event that the stones are large, surgery. Certain therapies, such as radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery, are necessary for other reasons, such as bladder cancer. The key to treating hematuria is addressing the underlying cause.
2. Which antibiotic is best for hematuria?
Antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, or ciprofloxacin are frequently administered if hematuria is the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The kind of bacteria causing the infection and any underlying medical issues will determine which antibiotic is best.
3. What are the common causes of hematuria?
Urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder infections, enlargement of the prostate in men, kidney illness, and, less frequently, kidney or bladder cancer are among the usual causes. Hematuria can also result from some drugs and intense exercise.
4. How is hematuria diagnosed?
Urinalysis (used to identify blood in the urine), urine culture (used to screen for infection), and imaging tests (such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound) (used to inspect the kidneys, bladder, and ureters) are the methods used to diagnose hematuria. If results from earlier tests are not conclusive, a cystoscopy—a technique to check within the bladder—may be carried out.
5. What are the first steps in treating hematuria?
Finding and fixing the underlying cause is one of the first tasks. For instance, medicines will be recommended if a UTI is present. It is advised to drink plenty of water to clear the urinary system. Pain treatment and increased fluid intake are frequently recommended in the case of kidney stones.
6. Are there specific lifestyle changes that can help manage or reduce hematuria?
Yes, maintaining a healthy diet (lower salt consumption to prevent kidney stones), avoiding intense exercise, and staying hydrated can all be helpful. Hematuria can also be prevented in people with recurrent UTIs by practicing good hygiene and peeing after sexual activity.
7. What types of medications are typically prescribed for hematuria?
The suggested medications vary based on the reason. For infections, doctors prescribe antibiotics; for prostate-related hematuria, they may prescribe alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin); and for kidney stones, they may prescribe painkillers. Anti-inflammatory medications may be advised in specific circumstances.
8. Are there any surgical options available for treating hematuria?
Yes, if massive kidney stones, bladder tumors, or urinary tract obstructions are the source of your hematuria, surgery might be required. Common procedures include cystoscopy and lithotripsy (to break kidney stones). For more serious illnesses like bladder cancer, surgery is also an option.
9. How can underlying conditions causing hematuria be managed?
Treating kidney illness, managing diabetes or high blood pressure (if these are the cause), and taking care of men’s prostate problems are all examples of managing underlying disorders. For diseases like cancer or chronic renal disease, routine monitoring and follow-up are essential.
10. Which food is good for hematuria?
The trick is to eat a balanced diet and stay well-hydrated. Berries and leafy greens are two foods high in antioxidants that are beneficial to kidney function. People who are more at risk of developing Urinary tract Infections (UTIs) are often advised to drink cranberry juice. Kidney stones may be less likely if fatty and oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach and rhubarb) are avoided.
