Hematuria

What is Hematuria

Hematuria is blood in the urine. Blood may be visible in the urine, or it may be identified with a test. This condition can be caused by infections of the bladder, urethra, kidney, or prostate. Other possible causes include:

• Kidney stones.
• Cancer of the urinary tract.
• Too much calcium in the urine.
• Conditions that are passed from parent to child (inherited conditions).
• Exercise that requires a lot of energy.

Infections can usually be treated with medicine, and a kidney stone usually will pass through your urine. If neither of these is the cause of your hematuria, more tests may be needed to identify the cause of your symptoms.

It is very important to tell your health care provider about any blood in your urine, even if it is painless or the blood stops without treatment. Blood in the urine, when it happens and then stops and then happens again, can be a symptom of a very serious condition, including cancer. There is no pain in the initial stages of many urinary cancers.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Eating and drinking

• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow. It is recommended that you drink 3–4 quarts (2.8–3.8 L) a day. If you have been diagnosed with an infection, it is recommended that you drink cranberry juice in addition to large amounts of water.
• Avoid caffeine, tea, and carbonated beverages. These tend to irritate the bladder.
• Avoid alcohol because it may irritate the prostate (men).

General instructions

• If you have been diagnosed with a kidney stone, follow your health care provider’s instructions about straining your urine to catch the stone.
• Empty your bladder often. Avoid holding urine for long periods of time.
• If you are female:
  • After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back and use each piece of toilet paper only once.
  • Empty your bladder before and after sex.
• Pay attention to any changes in your symptoms. Tell your health care provider about any changes or any new symptoms.
• It is your responsibility to get your test results. Ask your health care provider, or the department performing the test, when your results will be ready.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You develop back pain.
• You have a fever.
• You have nausea or vomiting.
• Your symptoms do not improve after 3 days.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• You develop severe vomiting and are unable take medicine without vomiting.
• You develop severe pain in your back or abdomen even though you are taking medicine.
• You pass a large amount of blood in your urine.
• You pass blood clots in your urine.
• You feel very weak or like you might faint.
• You faint.

Summary

• Hematuria is blood in the urine. It has many possible causes.
• It is very important that you tell your health care provider about any blood in your urine, even if it is painless or the blood stops without treatment.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.