Blood in the urine, medically referred to as hematuria, can be quite alarming. It might mean there’s an issue with the kidneys or another part of the urinary tract. What does blood in the urine indicate? When should you seek medical help? Find out here.
Risk Factors
Before we answer the question, “What does blood in urine indicate?”, let’s first discuss the risk factors.
Generally, you are more likely to experience hematuria if you:
- Have an enlarged prostate
- Have a family history of kidney disease
- Are taking some medications, like pain relievers, antibiotics, and blood thinners.
- Perform strenuous activities or exercises, like running and jogging for long distances
- Have a history of kidney stones
- Have recently developed an infection, such as hepatitis or streptococcus
- Are smoking
- Have an underlying condition that affects one or more organs
What Does Blood in Urine Indicate?
Before we shed light on the question, “What does blood in urine indicate?”, let’s first clarify that hematuria can either be gross or microscopic.
Gross hematuria means the blood is visible to the naked eye. Often, the urine looks cola-colored, pink, or red. Generally, when this happens, it’s not painful, unless you pass blood clots in the urine.
Microscopic hematuria occurs when you cannot see the blood unless you use a microscope.
Now, what does blood in urine indicate?
Strenuous Physical Activity
It is still unclear how strenuous physical activity causes hematuria, but many runners experience it. Reports say it may have something to do with dehydration, trauma to the bladder, or breakdown of red blood cells associated with aerobic workouts.
Renal Injury
What does blood in urine indicate? Sometimes, it points to an injury to the kidney following an accident or vigorous contact sports.
Certain Medications
Some medications may trigger hematuria. Examples of these medicines include:
- Penicillin, an antibiotic
- Cyclophosphamide, an anti-cancer medicine
- Heparin, a blood thinner
- Aspirin, an anticoagulant
Kidney Disease
In some cases, blood in urine happens because of glomerulonephritis, the inflammation of the kidney’s filtration system. Glomerulonephritis may occur on its own or as a result of other conditions, such as diabetes. Some bacterial or viral infections may trigger this condition, too.
Bladder/Kidney Stones or Infections
Kidney or bladder stones don’t always result in signs and symptoms, but when they do, hematuria could be one of them. Note that stones may cause both gross and microscopic bleeding.
Besides stones, a kidney or bladder infection (Urinary Tract Infections) may also trigger hematuria. This happens when bacteria reach your kidneys or bladder. Although bladder and kidney infections often present with similar symptoms, fever and pain are more common in kidney infections.
Enlarged Prostate
In some scenarios, hematuria is due to an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
BPH is more common among older men and it may result in symptoms like persistent need to urinate, difficulty urinating, and gross or microscopic hematuria.
Note that prostatitis (infection of the prostate) may also trigger similar symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Help
The minute you experience hematuria or blood in urine, it’s time to seek medical help.
This is because hematuria should not be ignored, and any symptoms accompanying it should be reported to your doctor.
Key Takeaways
Blood in urine, which can be gross or microscopic, may be due to several reasons, like kidney stones, bladder infection, an enlarged prostate, taking certain medications, and kidney disease.
If you notice blood in urine, get in touch with your doctor as soon as you can. Hematuria should not be ignored and other symptoms that come along with it should be communicated with your physician.
Learn more about Urological Health here.
