Seeing red? Speak up about blood in the urine

Noticing blood in your urine, medically known as haematuria, can be a distressing experience. This can manifest as a change in urine colour, often turning it pink, red or brown. It can be alarming, but it’s important to know that having haematuria doesn’t indicate a serious health issue for the majority of people.

Here to provide a guide to haematuria symptoms, causes and treatment is leading consultant urological surgeon Mr Nicholas Raison, who also discusses what’s involved in a typical consultation with him.

What is haematuria?

There are two types of haematuria: visible and microscopic. Visible haematuria is when blood can be seen in the urine. It might be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, or discomfort.

Microscopic haematuria refers to small amounts of blood that are not visible to the naked eye. However, this can be detected via laboratory tests, which often occurs during routine urinalysis.

I want to emphasise that, regardless of the type, any instance of blood in urine should prompt you to arrange a visit with your doctor for further evaluation and testing.

What are the causes of haematuria?

The causes of haematuria can vary widely. They include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Kidney stones
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer

UTIs are common and can lead to inflammation and bleeding in the urinary tract. Kidney stones can cause bleeding as these hard deposits that form in the kidneys pass through the urinary tract. They are often accompanied by severe pain. The most common early sign of bladder or kidney cancer is blood in the urine, usually without any other symptoms. About one in five adults with visible blood in their urine may be found to have bladder cancer, although the majority do not have cancer.

What’s involved in a haematuria consultation?

I begin consultations by taking a detailed medical history and may perform a physical examination. It’s likely I’ll order a series of tests, including a urinalysis to check for infection, blood tests, and imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans to assess the kidneys and bladder.

A cystoscopy, which involves using a thin telescope to look directly into the bladder, may also be undertaken. This is typically done under local anaesthetic and allows for a thorough examination of the bladder lining.

How is haematuria treated?

Haematuria treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, urinary tract infections are usually treated with antibiotics, while kidney stones may require pain management and, in some cases, surgical intervention. If no cause can be identified, I advise patients to remain vigilant and report any further bleeding or changes in symptoms to their GP, as ongoing monitoring may be necessary.

Despite blood in urine being a distressing symptom, it’s often manageable with correct medical assistance. I encourage individuals to take any instance of haematuria seriously and to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment. Understanding the symptoms you experience, and looking for timely medical support is vital in order to maintain your health and well-being. Remember; outcomes for various conditions associated with haematuria can be significantly improved with early diagnosis and intervention.

Do you require expert urological assistance regarding haematuria? Arrange a consultation with Mr Raison via his Top Doctors profile.