Hematuria: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Hematuria?

Haematuria means the appearance of blood in the urine. Haematuria is usually divided into macroscopic or "gross or visible haematuria" (where the urine is discoloured) and microscopic or "invisible". (The blood can only be detected with laboratory testing).
 It is a common condition and one which must be taken seriously. In this condition the kidneys or other parts of urinary tract allow blood cells to leak into urine.

Recovery Time

Since hematuria is a symptom, not a diagnosis, the recovery depends on the underlying condition and its response to treatment. Most causes of hematuria either require no treatment or are easily treatable.
For example, hematuria related to strenuous exercise usually goes away within 1 or 2 days after the exercise. Hematuria from a urinary tract infection will end when the infection is cured. Other causes might take longer to clear up.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done by physical examination and history of the patient and other tests may include:

• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• Radiological imaging (CT scan or ultrasound)
• Intravenous pyelogram (an x-ray of the urinary tract)
• Cystoscopy