Blood clots in urine

Blood Clots in Urine: How Serious Is It?

Do you notice red, brown, or pink urine? Or, do you see blood clots while urinating? You must be wondering what blood in the urine means and whether it’s an emergency. Read this article to learn about blood clots in the urine and what it indicates.

Normally, the color of urine should be somewhere between deep amber and pale yellow. If you spot blood drops while urinating, it might be the cause of concern, as blood often indicates an underlying problem. 

Blood in the urine is also called hematuria. The blood may or may not be visible in your urine. The visible blood (that you can spot) is called macroscopic hematuria, while the invisible blood is microscopic hematuria (that can only be spotted under the microscope). It’s important to see a doctor immediately if you notice blood clots in your urine. 

Here are a few possible causes of Blood Clots in Urine

Urinary Tract or Kidney Infection

Hematuria might indicate a urinary tract infection, in which the bacteria enter your bladder through the urethra and multiplies rapidly, causing blood discharge while you urinate. The symptoms include a constant urge to urinate, itching and burning sensation, strong-smelling urine, and pain in the lower back. In a urinary tract infection, blood is often spotted during lab testing. The same bacteria might travel all the way up to your kidneys through blood. This might cause a serious bladder infection. 

Kidney Stone

The small crystals can form in your kidneys and bladder, which later turn into kidney stones. These stones do not cause any symptoms until they grow large enough to block the urine from passing through the tube to your bladder. This blockage can cause severe back pain. A kidney stone can be the cause of microscopic and macroscopic bleeding. 

Enlarged Prostate

The prostate right below the bladder can grow larger as you age, blocking the urine flow. People with an enlarged prostate might face difficulty urinating, frequent urge to urinate, and microscopic or macroscopic blood while urinating. People with an enlarged prostate might have to pay frequent visits to the bathroom to empty their bladder. If you notice these symptoms, contact a urologist to discuss the enlarged prostate treatment options

Bladder Cancer

Hematuria might indicate a more serious problem in some cases. It may indicate bladder or prostate cancer, which is often diagnosed after the person tells the doctor about blood in the urine. If your urologist suspects bladder cancer, they will send the urine sample for further testing. 

Usually, cytology is conducted to detect the presence of cancer cells in the urine. Hematuria in people with bladder cancer occurs with a persistent urge to urinate, not being able to pass urine, leaks, lower back pain, and a burning sensation while urinating. The symptom does not appear until cancer reaches an advanced stage, which is why you must pay attention to the color of the urine and other unusual discomforts. Report your symptoms to the doctor immediately upon noticing blood clots during urination.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Sometimes, blood in the urine is caused due to certain foods, such as berries and beets. It can also be a side-effect of medication, especially cancer medicines. As mentioned before, hematuria can also indicate a serious health problem. You can’t tell the difference until the urine tests are conducted, and your doctor reviews the reports. It can be an early sign of bladder or kidney cancer. Fortunately, New enlarged prostate cancer treatment is available in Navi Mumbai, and the survival rate is pretty high if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.