BLOOD IN URINE

Blood in the urine is always a concern. It should be taken seriously. Your doctor will want to determine the cause.

Bleeding can be due to:

bladder infections
bladder stones
prostate disorders
kidney stones
kidney disease
cancer of the kidney, bladder, or prostate or
injury to the abdomen

Blood in the urine could also be a sign of certain rare conditions outside the urinary system. The color of the blood in urine may appear pink, bright red, or smoky brown. Seeing blood during the urine stream may give a clue to the source. For example, if the blood appears when you start urinating and the urine clears during the stream, the source may be lower down, as in the penis or urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside). When one sees blood at the end of the stream, bleeding may be from the bladder or (in men) the prostate area. When the blood appears throughout the stream, the source may be the bladder, kidneys, or the tubes connecting them (ureters).

Certain kinds of foods, like beets or blackberries, may give the urine a reddish tint. This should only last for a day or so after eating these foods. A few medications may turn the urine reddish. If you have started a new medication, and notice a color change in your urine, call your pharmacist to see if that is normal. If the redness persists and cannot be explained by food or medication, consult your healthcare provider promptly.

Your kidneys and urinary tract filter your blood and are essential to good health.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File URIN5262.RF2 VRS# 5262 Data Version 7.0