Painless hematuria can delay the diagnosis and treatment which may further lead to chronic conditions. Hence it is important to understand the causes and other symptoms of blood in urine.
Did you know?We secrete approximately 1 million RBCs (red blood cells) daily while urinating. |
RBCs are invisible to the naked eye as they are microscopic. But when they increase in number, they can be easily noticed through the change in the color of urine. Blood in urine can be accompanied by many other conditions like pain, burning sensation while urinating, cloudy urine, etc. Apart from all these, many people experience blood in urine without pain.
What is Hematuria?
Blood in urine is also called hematuria, in medical parlance. It can be classified into two types – microscopic and gross. Microscopic is related to the normal blood flow and gross is related to the increased amount of blood cells in the urine. Gross hematuria can be dangerous and life-threatening. Usually when a person notices blood in urine but no pain, the condition is left unnoticed. This may lead to further complications and life-threatening consequences. Hence, it becomes very important to keep a check on the type and color of urine. When there is blood in urine, the color of it may change to pale red, brown or pink. You may sometimes also observe blood clots and patches in the urine.
Causes of Painless Hematuria
Urinary system consists of a pair of kidneys, urinary bladder, ureter and urethra. The causes of blood in urine are basically the health conditions which are responsible for excess secretion of blood. These disorders or health conditions are related to the organs of urinary tract. Following are some of the conditions which may lead to painless hematuria or blood in urine.
▶ Kidney Disorder: Any type of kidney disease or disorder can lead to painless blood in urine. This may include arteriovenous fistulas which is related to the excess accumulation of the blood vessels in the kidney. As the accumulation level is increased, the blood vessels are secreted out through urine and are easily visible. The disorders related to glomerulus, the tiny capillaries which are present inside the kidney may also result in hematuria without any pain. Apart from these, any type of kidney infection can also cause painless hematuria.
▶ Sickle Cell Disease: Sickle cell diseases may also be responsible for hematuria but no pain. This disease can be confirmed by the sickle cell test conducted by the doctor.
▶ Tumors/Cancer: Any type of tumor in the urinary tract may lead you to painless hematuria. Tumors may be observed in any part of the urinary system, they may be termed as kidney cancer, bladder cancer, etc. Ultrasonography can be done to find out the type and the location of the cancerous cells.
▶ Medication: There are many medications and drugs like antibiotics, anticoagulants, etc. which may be responsible for this condition. If you observe blood in urine and no pain because of the medications then consult your doctor to start with any alternative medicine.
▶ Strenuous Exercises: Exercises may sometimes cause blood in urine. This condition may disappear in 2 to 3 days and will not reappear. But if you are observing blood in urine every time when you perform the particular exercise then stop doing it.
▶ Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH): This condition may result in the unusual enlargement of the prostate glands. This can be a reason behind blood in urine.
▶ Other Causative Factors: Other reasons behind painless hematuria are kidney stone, renal papillary necrosis, urinary tract infection (UTI), etc.
The hematuria causes discussed above can be diagnosed with the help of diagnostic tests such as blood test, ultrasonography, cystoscopy, urine test, dipstick test, etc. Once the cause is known you need to start the treatments as soon as possible, as severe conditions can be dangerous to life. So, the next time when you observe blood in urine but no pain, consult a doctor immediately and try to cure it in its initial stage itself. Take care!