Haematuria describes the presence of blood within the urine. While gross haematuria causes a visible colour change to urine, microscopic haematuria can only be detected by a microscope. In this case, the amount of blood within the urine is minute and is only discovered by urinalysis.
It is normal to have some blood cells within urine. This might happen as a result of menstruation or physical injury to the urinary system. Certain infections, such as those affecting the bladder and urinary tract, can also lead to microscopic haematuria. Some causes of haematuria are more serious than others, including chronic kidney disease, certain types of cancer, enlarged prostate, and sickle cell disease.
Anyone can experience haematuria, but the following factors increase your risk of developing the disorder:
Your doctor can help you determine whether your lifestyle is causing blood to be present within your urine.
The first step is to receive a formal diagnosis, as this will allow your doctor to address any underlying conditions contributing to blood in the urine. In the event of bladder cancer, a patient will undergo the expected treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemo. If an infection is contributing to the medical issue, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to clear it.
In some cases, microscopic haematuria does not require treatment and may even go away on its own. Your doctor may also choose to monitor the condition instead of recommending treatment right away.