BLOOD IN THE URINE-OVERVIEW-TREATMENT

Blood in the Urine Overview Blood in the urine is a common problem. The medical term for red blood cells in the urine is hematuria. If there are only a small number of red blood cells in the urine, the urine color might not change and the blood cells are only apparent under a microscope. This is usually referred to a microscopic hematuria. Sometimes blood in the urine is a sign of a serious problem in the urinary tract, while other times it is not serious and requires no treatment. Only after a thorough evaluation by a health-care provider should blood in the urine be attributed to a nonserious cause. Kidneys: You have two kidneys, located closer to your back than your front at about waist level. The kidneys filter the blood in your body and produce urine. Ureters: These narrow, hollow tubes carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Bladder: The bladder is a balloon-like organ that holds urine until it is convenient for you to empty your bladder (urinate). Urethra: This narrow, hollow tube carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body. The flow of urine is controlled by internal and external sphincter muscles, which tighten or relax around the urethra, holding or releasing urine. In men, the genitals and prostate are considered part of the urinary system. The prostate surrounds the urethra in men. It is made up of glands that secrete a fluid that is part of semen. The prostate often becomes enlarged in older men. Picture of the urinary system Blood in the urine is not always visible. If the amount of blood is small, the urine can look normal. This is called microscopic hematuria because the blood cells are visible only under a microscope. Typically, this is discovered when the patient has a urine test for some other reason or as part of a screening examination. When there is enough blood to be visible, the urine may look pinkish, red, or smoky brown (like tea or cola). This is called gross or frank hematuria. It takes very little blood in urine to be visible -- about 1/5 of a teaspoon in a ½ quart of urine. A trace amount of blood in your urine can be normal but needs to be observed and followed by a health-care provider. An abnormal amount of blood in the urine can be acute (new, occurring suddenly) or chronic (ongoing, long term). Acute hematuria can occur just once, or it can occur many times. Sometimes the urine can appear with a color, indicating hematuria though the urine actually does not contain red blood cells but rather is discolored by medications or foods. This can be distinguished by a urinalysis (UA) test. Up to 10% of people have an episode of hematuria. About 3% of people develop gross hematuria. Women develop hematuria more than men because women are more likely to have urinary tract infections, and these infections may lead to hematuria. Older adults, especially men, have hematuria more often than younger people because they are more likely to take medications that can irritate the urinary tract, or have enlargement of the prostate, or cancer. Medical Treatment Many conditions can cause blood in the urine. Some of these have no medical significance and do not require treatment. They usually go away by themselves. Others can be serious and require immediate treatment. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the bleeding. Anytime you notice blood in the urine you need to consult a health-care provider for an evaluation. Kidney stones: For most cases of kidney stones, you will be told to drink plenty of water and other fluids and to take pain-control medications. Most stones will pass through urinary system by themselves. In certain instances, more extensive treatment measures may be required. One form of therapy, called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, uses sound waves to crush the stones. The smaller pieces can then pass through the urinary tract more easily, though some pain will remain. Another form of therapy uses cystoscopy to find the stone in the ureter and then to grab and remove it with a small scoop. Urinary tract infection: Treatment seeks to get rid of the bacteria responsible for the infection. If you have no other significant illness, you will take a course of antibiotics for three to 14 days, depending on the source of the infection. Benign prostate enlargement: Sometimes eliminating certain foods and medications that irritate the prostate can help shrink the prostate. Sometimes medication is necessary. Medications: If a medication is causing hematuria, you and your health-care provider should weigh the benefits and risks of the medication. Some medications only discolor the urine without actually causing hematuria. Your health-care provider should determine if these can be continued. Do not stop a medication without talking it over with your health-care provider. Urinary tract blockage: A blockage usually requires surgery or other procedure to correct or remove the block. Injury: These may heal over time, or you may need surgery or another procedure to repair the injury or remove the damaged tissue. Source:emedicinehealth website