Blood in the urine - What is it?
Blood in the urine can occur for many reasons. It can either be seen by the naked eye (frank haematuria) or be detected only by using special dipstick tests strips or microscopes (microscopic haematuria). It may be associated with pain or it may be painless.
Painful haematuria is often associated with inflammatory conditions such as bladder infection. Often, once the underlying cause is treated , it settles.
Painless haematuria is a more worrying sign. It may be due to benign conditions such as prostate enlargement but it is important that more dangerous conditions such as bladder or kidney cancer be excluded.
It is important to emphasize that the majority of blood in the urine dose not have a cause that is life threatening. However, it is very important that you let your doctor know if you have had any in order for you to be investigated properly. If you have any concerns please contact us directly.