Blood in Urine, Do I Have To Worry

Blood In Urine, Do I Have To Worry

What we commonly call as blood in urine is in medical terms known as ‘hematuria’. Usually blood in urine may not be a serious health issue but it is always advisable to consult a doctor because it may be a symptom of some serious health problem. Treatment if initiated is usually for the underlying cause, if the cause is identified. The discolouration in the urine may sometimes be due to some food you have taken, medicines or beeturia from excessive intake of beetroot!

What causes blood in urine?

Urine is produced in the kidneys and so the blood may originate in the kidneys or it may come from other structures in the urinary system like the ureter (tubes from the kidney to urinary bladder), Urinary bladder (where urine is stored) or the urethra (tube from bladder to outside of the body).

Symptoms of Hematuria

The occurrence of blood in the urine is a very obvious symptom of hematuria. The urine which is normally yellow in color may now appear pinkish, red, dark brown or tea coloured. Sometimes the blood in the urine may not change the color of the urine and can be found only in a lab through microscopic examination, this is called as microscopic hematuria. Some additional symptoms are seen when there are relevant underlying causes which may be mild or severe. These symptoms include, bladder infection which causes burning sensation while urinating or kidney infection which may cause fever, chills and pain in the lower back, it can also be due to kidney stones accompanied with severe abdominal or pelvic pain or may be due to some kidney diseases which has symptoms of weakness, BP and body swelling.

Examination for Hematuria

The diagnosis of hematuria and its causes starts with the doctor examining your family and health history. Thereafter the urine and blood may be analysed, the urine analysis is called as urinalysis. The urine test may include microscopic examination of urine for traces of blood and other abnormal cells in the urine. The blood test is done to see whether certain waste substances that should have been removed by the kidney are present in the blood and their concentration is studied. If the blood contains high levels of waste substances then it may be due to underlying kidney disease. The diagnostic tests may also include imaging like CT scan of the kidney and urinary tract region, kidney ultrasound, cystoscopy and renal biopsy where a small tissue is extracted for lab examination.

Treatment for Hematuria

After due diagnosis the underlying cause for Hematuria is found and the treatment will be directed at controlling the cause and preventing further escalation of the disease. If no underlying cause is found then you may have to undergo urinalysis and blood test every 3 to 6 months to watch for recurrence of the hematuria. This is helpful if there is risk of cancer especially in those over 50 years, habitual smokers and those who are exposed to harmful chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drinking more water can help flush out the urinary tract and may reduce blood in urine caused by dehydration, mild infection, or small kidney stones. It dilutes urine and soothes irritation. But if the bleeding is due to serious causes—like kidney stones, infections, or tumors—water alone won’t fix it, and medical care is essential.

 Sometimes, yes — if it’s caused by minor reasons such as intense exercise, mild injury, or temporary irritation, it can resolve within a few days. However, persistent or visible blood in urine (hematuria) could indicate infection, kidney disease, or bladder issues. Always get checked by a doctor to rule out serious conditions.

 Focus on foods that support kidney and urinary tract health — such as:

  • Water-rich fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges to flush toxins.

     

  • Cranberry juice or blueberries (natural antibacterial effect).

     

  • Leafy greens, whole grains, and foods rich in vitamin C to reduce inflammation.
    Avoid spicy, salty, and processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol, as they irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

     

 The most common cause of blood in urine (hematuria) is urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones. Both irritate or injure the urinary tract lining, leading to bleeding. Other possible causes include bladder infections, enlarged prostate, vigorous exercise, or, in rare cases, kidney or bladder cancer—which require prompt medical attention.

 

Drinking more water can help flush out the urinary tract and may reduce blood in urine caused by dehydration, mild infection, or small kidney stones. It dilutes urine and soothes irritation. But if the bleeding is due to serious causes—like kidney stones, infections, or tumors—water alone won’t fix it, and medical care is essential.

 Sometimes, yes — if it’s caused by minor reasons such as intense exercise, mild injury, or temporary irritation, it can resolve within a few days. However, persistent or visible blood in urine (hematuria) could indicate infection, kidney disease, or bladder issues. Always get checked by a doctor to rule out serious conditions.

 Focus on foods that support kidney and urinary tract health — such as:

  • Water-rich fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges to flush toxins.

     

  • Cranberry juice or blueberries (natural antibacterial effect).

     

  • Leafy greens, whole grains, and foods rich in vitamin C to reduce inflammation.
    Avoid spicy, salty, and processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol, as they irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

     

 The most common cause of blood in urine (hematuria) is urinary tract infection (UTI) or kidney stones. Both irritate or injure the urinary tract lining, leading to bleeding. Other possible causes include bladder infections, enlarged prostate, vigorous exercise, or, in rare cases, kidney or bladder cancer—which require prompt medical attention.

 

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