What is haematuria?
Blood in urine is medically known as haematuria. It may be clearly visible, causing the urine to appear pink, red or brown. This is called visible or gross haematuria.
In other cases, the blood cannot be seen with the naked eye and is detected only during a urine examination. This is called microscopic haematuria.
What other symptoms may occur?
Blood in urine may occur alone or together with other urinary symptoms. The associated symptoms often provide useful clues about the possible cause.
What can cause blood in urine?
Haematuria can originate from the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, prostate or urethra.
Common causes
- Urinary tract infection
- Kidney or ureteric stones
- Enlarged prostate
- Kidney infection
- Injury or recent instrumentation of the urinary tract
Other causes that may require further evaluation
- Kidney diseases affecting the filtering units of the kidney
- Bladder or kidney stones
- Certain medications or bleeding disorders
- Conditions affecting the bladder, kidney, ureter or prostate
- Tumours of the urinary system
Blood in urine is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Its presence alone does not identify the underlying cause.
Why is a medical consultation important?
The significance of blood in urine depends on factors such as your age, symptoms, medical history, smoking history, medications and examination findings.
For example, haematuria in a younger person with severe flank pain may have a different cause from painless visible haematuria in an older adult.
This is why a medical consultation is important, even if the symptom has occurred only once.
Seek prompt medical care
When should I seek urgent help?
Please seek urgent medical attention if blood in urine occurs with any of the following:
- Inability to pass urine
- Blood clots in the urine
- Severe pain in the side, back or lower abdomen
- Fever, chills or feeling very unwell
- Dizziness, weakness or heavy bleeding
- Recent injury involving the abdomen, back or urinary tract
How is blood in urine investigated?
The exact evaluation is individualised. Not every patient requires every test.
Your doctor asks about pain, urinary symptoms, medicines, smoking history, previous stones, infections and other medical conditions.
The examination is guided by your symptoms, age and clinical history.
These may include urine microscopy, urine culture, kidney-function tests and other tests when indicated.
Ultrasound can assess the kidneys, urinary bladder and prostate where appropriate.
CT may be advised when stones, obstruction or other urinary conditions are suspected.
In selected patients, a small camera is used to examine the inside of the urinary bladder.
Treatment depends on the cause
Haematuria itself is a symptom. Treatment is directed at the underlying condition identified during evaluation.
Myth versus fact
Common misunderstandings about haematuria
How can SR Speciality Hospital help?
We begin by listening carefully to your symptoms and medical history. We then recommend investigations appropriate to your individual situation.
Our goal is not simply to confirm that blood is present in the urine, but to understand why it has occurred and guide you towards the most appropriate treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Questions patients commonly ask
I saw blood only once. Can I ignore it?
Visible blood in urine should generally be discussed with a doctor even if it occurred only once. The need for testing depends on your age, symptoms, medical history and risk factors.
Can haematuria occur without pain?
Yes. Blood in urine may occur with or without pain. The absence of pain does not identify the cause and does not remove the need for appropriate assessment.
Can kidney stones cause blood in urine?
Yes. Kidney and ureteric stones may irritate the urinary tract and cause visible or microscopic haematuria.
Can a urinary infection cause haematuria?
Yes. Urinary tract infection may cause blood in urine together with burning, frequency, urgency, lower abdominal discomfort or fever.
Can beetroot or food colour make urine look red?
Certain foods, medicines and pigments may change urine colour. However, when the cause is uncertain, a urine examination can help determine whether blood is actually present.
Should I stop blood-thinning medication?
No prescribed blood-thinning medicine should be stopped without advice from the doctor managing that medication. Haematuria still needs an appropriate assessment.