Red blood cells in urine can indicate bladder or kidney problems. Hematuria, or abnormal levels of red blood cells, can have various causes, including infection, injury, or tumors. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and follow-up testing is important to ensure complete resolution.
Red blood cells in the urine can be a sign of a number of problems involving the bladder and kidneys. In healthy individuals, some red blood cells are often found in urine samples and aren’t a cause for concern, but large amounts, or so much blood that the urine appears discolored, are likely a sign of a problem. If red blood cells are found during a urinalysis, other information from the test may provide clues as to why they are present or more testing may be needed to get to the bottom of the problem.
The formal term for an abnormal number of red blood cells in the urine is hematuria. One potential cause is sample contamination, seen when menstruating women give a urine sample and some of the menstrual blood ends up in the sample. Recent trauma to the urethra, such as from catheterization or injury, can also be a cause. In these cases, the underlying cause is known and no additional treatment should be undertaken, as the problem should resolve itself.
If white blood cells are also present, it is a sign of inflammation or infection along the urinary tract. Red blood cells in the urine can also be associated with blockages, stones, or internal injury; Someone who has been kicked or punched in the kidney, for example, will often start producing blood in their urine as a result of kidney damage. Hard exercise can also sometimes be a cause, with people like marathon runners sometimes developing blood in their urine after a race.
In some cases, malignant tumors may be associated with red blood cells in the urine. In these cases, there may also be traces of cancer cells detached from the growth and these will be identified by the pathologist. Some disorders can cause blood in the urine, and people can also experience it in combination with medications. Patients should ensure that their complete medical history is available so that the healthcare professional can be aware of any obvious underlying causes of the blood in the urine.
Once a doctor determines why a patient has blood in their urine, treatment may be offered. For something like an infection, this can be as simple as a course of antibiotics. At the end of the treatment, another sample will be requested for analysis to ensure that the problem has been completely resolved. Sometimes, bacteria and blood can be present in your urine without being visible to the naked eye, so even if your urine looks normal, it’s important to do a follow-up urinalysis to avoid a situation where low levels of blood are left behind. bacteria and start growing again, causing a recurrence of the infection.
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