Hematuria - Blood In The Urine

HEMATURIA - PRESENCE OF BLOOD IN THE URINE

Causes of HEMATURIA range from non-life threatening (e.g., urinary tract infection) to serious (e.g., cancer, kidney disease).

Dr. Herman and Dr. Kester, top South Florida urologists, serving the Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Palm Beach areas, specialize in Diagnosis and Treatment of hematuris. Call us immediately for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.

Hematuria is the presence of blood, specifically red blood cells, in the urine. Whether the blood is visible only under a microscope or visible to the naked eye, hematuria is a sign that something is wrong. The source of the blood an be from the kidneys that produce the urine, the ureters that conduct the urine to the bladder, the bladder that stores the urine or the urethra that allows the passage of urine to outside the body. The bleeding could also be from the prostate which is an organ that surrounds the beginning part of the urethra in men. The bleeding can be from other less likely sources as well.

Bleeding may happen once or it may be recurrent. It can indicate different problems in men and women. Causes of this condition range from non-life threatening (e.g., urinary tract infection) to serious (e.g., cancer, kidney disease). Therefore, a urologist should be consulted as soon as possible.

TYPES OF HEMATURIA

There are two types of hematuria, microscopic and gross (or macroscopic).
In microscopic hematuria, the amount of blood in the urine is so small that it can be seen only under a microscope. However, the seriousness of what is causing the hematuria is in no way related to the amount of bleeding. For example a person with microscopic hematuria may have cancer and the one with macrascopic or gross hematuria may have an infection.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF HEMATURIA INCLUDE:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; enlarged prostate) in men over 40
• Kidney stones and bladder stones
• Kidney disease
• Prostate infection or inflammation (prostatitis)
• Trauma (e.g., a blow to the kidneys)
• Tumors and/or cancer in the urinary system
• Urinary tract blockages
• Viral or bacterial infections of the urinary tract

There are rare diseases and genetic disorders that also cause hematuria. Some of these are:

• Sickle cell anemia (inherited blood disorder)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus; chronic inflammatory disorder of connective tissue)
• von Hippel-Landau disease (hereditary disease in which benign tumors form on the spinal cord, kidneys, testicles, and other organs)

SIGNS AND SYPMTOMS

In many cases, blood in the urine (gross or microscopic) is the only sign of a disorder. In others, a variety of symptoms, such as the following, may be present.

• Abdominal pain
• Decreased urinary force, hesitancy, incomplete voiding
• Fever
• Frequent urination (day and/or night)
• Pain during urination (dysuria)
• Pain in the flank or side
• Urinary urgency

TEST - CYSTOSCOPY

Cystoscopy is performed so the cause of the gross or microscopic hematuria can be identified. Local anesthesia as well as an antibiotic and narcotic is given so the procedure is virtually painless. Usually a flexible cystoscope is inserted slowly into the urethra. The urologist can visually inspect the urethra, bladder, and prostate through the cystoscope. The procedure takes about 1 minute and is a simple and quick way to locate the source of the bleeding in most cases. To learn more about a Cystoscopy click here.

Call us immediately to schedule an appointment with Dr. Herman or Dr. Kester for the relief you deserve.