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Hematuria

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine. In microscopic hematuria, the urine appears normal to the naked eye, but examination under a microscope shows a high number of RBCs. Gross hematuria can be seen with the naked eye -- the urine is red or the color of cola.

Several conditions can cause hematuria. Most of the causes are not serious. For example, exercise may cause hematuria that goes away in 24 hours. Many people have hematuria without having any other related problems. But because hematuria may be the result of a tumor or other serious problem, a doctor should be consulted.

In order to find the cause of hematuria, or to rule out certain causes, the doctor may order a series of tests, including urinalysis, blood tests, intravenous pyelogram, and cystoscopic examination.

Urinalysis is the examination of urine for various cells and chemicals. In addition to finding RBCs, the doctor may find white blood cells that signal a urinary tract infection or casts (groups of cells molded together in the shape of the kidneys' tiny filtering tubes) that signal kidney disease. Excessive protein in the urine also signals poor kidney function.

Blood tests may reveal kidney disease if the blood contains high levels of wastes that the kidneys are supposed to remove.

An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray of the urinary tract. An IVP may reveal a tumor, a kidney or bladder stone, an enlarged prostate, or other blockage to the normal flow of urine.

A cystoscope can be used to take pictures of the inside of the bladder. It has a tiny camera at the end of a thin tube, which is inserted through the urethra. A cystoscope may provide a better view of a tumor or bladder stone than can be seen with an IVP.

Treatment for hematuria depends on the cause. If no serious condition is causing the hematuria, no treatment is necessary.