Haematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. People suffering from Haematuria often observe slightly discoloured urine in most cases. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including

• Infection In the kidneys, bladder, or prostate
• Viral infections that affect the liver and cause inflammation – such as hepatitis
• Endometriosis and menstruation
• Bladder or kidney cancer
• Inflammation in the kidney, bladder, or prostate
• Sickle cell disease
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Vigorous incorrect exercising
• Kidney stones

While some of these causes are no reason for concern, such as menstruation or infections, the other cause requires immediate medical attention. If you observe any traces of blood in your urine, rush to your nearest urologist for further examination. 

What are the types of Haematuria?

There are three types of Haematuria:

1. Gross Haematuria – The type of Haematuria when there are enough red blood cells present in urine to make it visible to the human eye. It is often indicated by the reddish-pink discolouration of water. 
2. Microscopic Haematuria – In this case blood in the urine is only observed when examined under a microscope. Otherwise, its colouration is normal
3. Dipstick Haematuria – This is the false positive in the case of Haematuria. This happens when the urine test strip is oxidised and eventually changes colour, one similar to that seen in gross Haematuria

What are the symptoms of Haematuria?

Apart from the obvious, which is reddish-pink-coloured urine, it may also be accompanied by frequent urination that is both painful and unexpectedly urgent. Apart from this, nausea, fever, and vomiting are also symptoms of Haematuria. Some people also suffer from acute discomfort and pain in the abdomen.

What is the diagnosis for Haematuria?

Doctors and healthcare professionals will require you to undergo some tests apart from just a physical examination. These include

• Urinalysis – This test analyses the visual and chemical aspects of a urine sample both visible and microscopic.
• Urine Cytology – Cytology refers to the study of certain specific cell types. Urine cytology refers to the examination of a urine sample to check for any abnormal appearing cells. 
• Urine Culture – Analysing the sample for an infection or bacterial growth
• Cystoscopy – examining the bladder and urethra by inserting a device called a cystoscope
• CT Scans

What are some preventive measures for Haematuria?

While other diseases may be the number one cause of Haematuria, certain other external factors may cause it. To prevent this from happening, you can take the following steps:

• No smoking
• No overdosing on pain medication
• Preventing exposure to harmful radiation
• Preventing exposure to certain chemicals
• Running, jogging, and doing other physical activities responsibly. 

What are some of the misconceptions surrounding Haematuria?

There are a few myths that surround Haematuria, regarding its diagnosis, its severity, and more

• If the blood in my urine disappears it is no longer a cause for concern – This is untrue. Even if your urine is discoloured even once, it could be indicative of a serious problem that must be checked immediately
• Microscopic Haematuria is invisible to the naked eye, therefore it must be harmless – While it is true that Microscopic Haematuria is associated with less serious health issues as compared to gross Haematuria, it cannot be completely ignored altogether
• If my urine is red or pink it must be Haematuria – Although one must always be cautious about colouration in urine, sometimes eating certain foods can also result in giving urine a tint, which is no cause of concern. Foods such as beetroots, blackberry, and rhubarb are known to change the colour of urine to a reddish-pink colour.