Blood In Urine: Should I Go To An Emergency Room? Seeing blood in the urine can be an alarming sign of some underlying medical condition. In medical terms, seeing blood in the urine is termed Hematuria. It can be caused due to infections, kidney problems, blood disorders, etc. One may visit a doctor even if he experiences blood in the urine for the first time. Ignoring hematuria can worsen the particular disease that is causing it.
Types of Hematuria
There are two types of Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
- Gross Hematuria: In this condition, there is enough visible blood in the urine that it appears pink or red in colour.
- Microscopic Hematuria: In this condition, you can not see the blood with the naked eye because the blood amount is relatively small.
Causes of Hematuria
- Infections: It is one of the common causes of hematuria. One can experience blood in the urine due to an infection in the kidney, urinary tract, or bladder. Symptoms may include painful and frequent urination along with foul-smelling urine, abdominal pain, chills or fever. It can be gross or microscopic hematuria and proper treatment is required for treating it.
- Cancer: Bloody urine can also be a sign of urinary tract cancer especially bladder cancer. It can also be seen in patients with kidney or prostate cancer. Patients with bladder cancer mostly have blood present in their urine. Blood in the urine is not an early symptom of such cancers. It occurs in the late stages.
- Stones: Stones in the kidney or the bladder can also cause the blood in the urine. Large kidney or bladder stones result in a blockage that causes hematuria. The symptoms of stones may include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, infection, bloody urine, etc. The treatment of stones depends upon the size and the location.
- Prostate: The prostate is a gland found in men between the bladder and near the urethra. Enlarged prostate compresses the urethra and causes urinating problems. This way the bladder doesn’t get emptied completely and which is why urinary tract infections and bloody urine can be caused.
- Kidney Diseases: Acquired or inherited kidney disorders are a less common reason behind bloody urine. A kidney that is damaged or inflamed can result in such a condition. It requires treatment by a nephrologist.
When To See A Doctor?
The different causes behind blood in the urine are serious and some of them are less common. It is crucial that one must seek the help of a doctor when he sees blood in his urine for the first time. Ignoring such condition can worsen the complications and lead to serious health problems. Also, in the case where you don’t see any blood in the urine but experience painful and frequent urination, you must visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Seek emergency help if you experience:
- Difficulty in urinating
- Blood clots in the urine
- Pink or red urine
- Nausea
- Abdominal Pain
- Frequent urination
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
Conclusion
Blood in the urine can be caused by several common reasons but it is serious and must not be ignored. If you experience bloody urine or any urine related complications, consult a doctor at the earliest in order to prevent any further complications. If you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, consult your doctor to know the exact cause behind your issue. After the diagnosis and the evaluation, the doctor will be able to choose the right treatment for you.