Microscopic Hematuria Medical Causes

Microscopic hematuria from medical causes other than cancer can develop in certain individuals. Before assuming you have cancer, ask yourself these questions: Did the urinary bleeding appear after an accident or injury? Am I experiencing other urinary symptoms besides blood in urine, such as frequent urination, painful urination, urinary retention, fever, or nausea? Is my pain constant or intermittent? Is it located in the lower back near the kidneys or isolated in the abdomen or groin? Knowing the answers to these and other similar questions can help you, as well as our physicians, determine the cause of the presence of microscopic hematuria (unseen blood in urine) or gross hematuria (visible blood in urine).

Microscopic hematuria from medical causes can occur because of prostate or kidney trauma. Usually an injury to the upper urinary tract (kidneys) will produce microscopic hematuria, while gross hematuria could mean there was damage to the lower tract, which includes the ureters, bladder, or urethra. But this is not always the case. You may experience an injury to your prostate or kidneys from car accidents or some other type of impact to your back.

Athletes who are involved in high impact sports, such as football, boxing, or rugby, often suffer injuries to their kidneys, which can produce higher amounts of red blood cells in urine. Other activities, such as running or long distance running, can also lead to microscopic hematuria. Usually this hematuria is temporary; however, recurrent injury or trauma to the kidneys over long periods of time can lead to kidney damage as well as damage to other urinary organs.

Some patients with high blood pressure or diabetes can experience microscopic hematuria because of the higher amounts of red blood cells that develop in the body. Cysts and tumors can cause obstructions which in turn cause inflammation and irritation to tissue. This can then lead to blood appearing at high levels in the urine. Patients who have acquired sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may also experience microscopic hematuria. The bacteria can cause infections that in turn lead to an increase in the production of red blood cells in the urinary system. Other conditions, such end stage renal disease or the development of bladder diverticuli as a result of incomplete bladder emptying (often from an prostate enlargement) can also produce blood in urine.

Microscopic hematuria from medical causes is a treatable condition. With some behavioral and food intake modifications, your risk for developing microscopic hematuria can be reduced. When you make an appointment with our staff at Urology Specialists, we can review your medical history, evaluate your symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis to determine the cause of the urinary bleeding, and offer solutions and treatments for your condition.

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