Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, is an alarming sight for most people. The color of your urine can be red, pink or even cola-colored. While it can signal a serious medical condition, in some cases the cause of it is relatively harmless and easily treatable. However, it isn’t a symptom you should ever ignore and it’s vital to get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible if you notice blood in your urine.
Some common causes of hematuria include:
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
A UTI is an infection that can cause blood in the urine, cloudy urine, pain or burning while urinating, fever, cramping and foul-smelling urine. Luckily, UTIs are pretty easy to treat and often go away after taking antibiotics.
Kidney & Bladder Stones
When hard deposits form in the bladder or kidneys, they can be extremely painful to pass. Common symptoms of stones include blood in the urine, cloudy urine, sharp pain in your side or back, pain or burning while urinating and difficulty urinating. While most stones will pass on their own if you drink plenty of water, complications can occur that require removal by a medical professional.
Kidney Infections
A kidney infection is a type of UTI that occurs when bacteria travels to your kidneys from your bladder or urethra. You may experience blood or pus in your urine, fever, fatigue, pain in your lower back and side, vomiting, loss of appetite and chills. Kidney infections are often treated with antibiotics and may require hospitalization.
Cancer
Certain cancers, like prostate and kidney cancer, can cause blood in the urine among other troubling symptoms. If you notice pink or red-tinged urine along with symptoms such as a mass in your lower back or side, fatigue, painful urination, fever, swelling, difficulty urinating or unexplained weight loss, it’s important to let your doctor know immediately.
Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged prostate, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), is another condition that can cause hematuria. Enlarged prostate isn’t life-threatening, but it can cause difficulty urinating, painful urination, a weak urinary stream, frequent urination and other uncomfortable symptoms. The good news is treatment options are available and it isn’t linked to prostate cancer.
You should also note that eating certain foods such as blackberries, rhubarb and beets in large amounts can cause temporary urine discoloration. However, it’s best to stay on the safe side and let your doctor know any time you experience a noticeable change in the color of your urine.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Do you need to schedule an appointment? Contact us today or book your appointment online.
