Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Hematuria And Urinary Incontinence?

Hi, I m 53 yr. old female, I have, as have all the women in my family, hematuria since the age of 20 or so, minor traces of blood. Recently had urinary incontinence, and by that I mean, urge and frequency, no leakage. Went to PA, she did urine test, which showed more than a trace of blood, white blood cells, with no infection, bigger appetite, I should mention diabetes runs in my family, however blood sugar was fine during dr. appt. Saw urologist other day, who confirmed no infection. Wants cat scan of abdomen & pelvis, which is scheduled for next week, also wants catheterization in his office, I feel great though. I ve been a smoker for 30 years, I am up to almost 1 pack per day, doc said last week that my lungs are clear
Mon, 19 Dec 2016
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello Dear. Because blood in urine can be a sign of a serious medical condition, however, it shouldn't be ignored. All cases of hematuria should be evaluated by a doctor who can order tests to confirm or rule out an underlying cause.

There is no specific treatment for hematuria, because it's a symptom and not a specific condition. Instead, treatment is aimed at the underlying cause if one can be found.

Hematuria may occur without any other symptoms. Some underlying causes, however, are associated with additional symptoms that can be moderate to severe. These include:

1. Bladder infections (acute cystitis). In adults, bladder infections usually cause burning or pain with urination.

2. Kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Symptoms may include fever, chills, and flank pain, which refers to pain in the lower back.

3. Kidney stones. Symptoms may include severe abdominal or pelvic pain.

4. Kidney diseases. Symptoms may include weakness, high blood pressure, and body swelling, including puffiness around the eyes.

Common causes of blood in urine include:

1. Bladder or kidney infections
2. Bladder or kidney stones
3. Certain kidney diseases, such as inflammation in the filtering system of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis)
4. Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate cancer
5. Inherited diseases such as sickle cell anemia and cystic kidney disease
6. Certain medications such as aspirin, penicillin, heparin, cyclophosphamide, and phenazopyridine
7. A tumor in the bladder, kidney, or prostate
8. Kidney injury from an accident or sports
9. Vigorous exercise

Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and asking what may have caused the appearance of blood in your urine. This will be followed by a test called urinalysis. In this test, a urine sample is analyzed.

Urine tests may include urine cytology, which uses a microscope to look for abnormal cells in the urine. Blood tests may also be ordered. If blood contains high levels of wastes that kidneys are supposed to remove, it could be a sign of kidney disease.


In addition to urine and blood tests, you may need additional imaging tests. These may include:

1. Computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT, which is a special X-ray scan, can help identify bladder or kidney stones, tumors, and other abnormalities of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters.

2. Kidney ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney's structure.

3. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP). This is an X-ray of the urinary tract that requires dye.

4. Cystoscopy. This test involves the insertion of a small tube with a camera into the bladder through the urethra. Tissue samples (biopsy) may be obtained to check for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells.

5. Kidney (renal) biopsy. A small tissue sample is removed from the kidney and examined under a microscope for signs of kidney disease.

Treatment of Hematuria:

Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. After treatment, your doctor will recheck your urine to see if the blood is gone. If you still have blood in your urine, you may need additional tests, or you may be referred to a urologist.

Usually, no treatment is necessary unless a serious condition is causing the hematuria.

If no underlying cause is found during the initial evaluation, you may be advised to have follow-up urine testing and blood pressure monitoring every three to six months, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as being age 50 or older, smoking cigarettes, or exposure to certain industrial chemicals.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini     
I find this answer helpful

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Hematuria And Urinary Incontinence?

Hello Dear. Because blood in urine can be a sign of a serious medical condition, however, it shouldn t be ignored. All cases of hematuria should be evaluated by a doctor who can order tests to confirm or rule out an underlying cause. There is no specific treatment for hematuria, because it s a symptom and not a specific condition. Instead, treatment is aimed at the underlying cause if one can be found. Hematuria may occur without any other symptoms. Some underlying causes, however, are associated with additional symptoms that can be moderate to severe. These include: 1. Bladder infections (acute cystitis). In adults, bladder infections usually cause burning or pain with urination. 2. Kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Symptoms may include fever, chills, and flank pain, which refers to pain in the lower back. 3. Kidney stones. Symptoms may include severe abdominal or pelvic pain. 4. Kidney diseases. Symptoms may include weakness, high blood pressure, and body swelling, including puffiness around the eyes. Common causes of blood in urine include: 1. Bladder or kidney infections 2. Bladder or kidney stones 3. Certain kidney diseases, such as inflammation in the filtering system of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis) 4. Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate cancer 5. Inherited diseases such as sickle cell anemia and cystic kidney disease 6. Certain medications such as aspirin, penicillin, heparin, cyclophosphamide, and phenazopyridine 7. A tumor in the bladder, kidney, or prostate 8. Kidney injury from an accident or sports 9. Vigorous exercise Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and asking what may have caused the appearance of blood in your urine. This will be followed by a test called urinalysis. In this test, a urine sample is analyzed. Urine tests may include urine cytology, which uses a microscope to look for abnormal cells in the urine. Blood tests may also be ordered. If blood contains high levels of wastes that kidneys are supposed to remove, it could be a sign of kidney disease. In addition to urine and blood tests, you may need additional imaging tests. These may include: 1. Computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT, which is a special X-ray scan, can help identify bladder or kidney stones, tumors, and other abnormalities of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. 2. Kidney ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney s structure. 3. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP). This is an X-ray of the urinary tract that requires dye. 4. Cystoscopy. This test involves the insertion of a small tube with a camera into the bladder through the urethra. Tissue samples (biopsy) may be obtained to check for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells. 5. Kidney (renal) biopsy. A small tissue sample is removed from the kidney and examined under a microscope for signs of kidney disease. Treatment of Hematuria: Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. After treatment, your doctor will recheck your urine to see if the blood is gone. If you still have blood in your urine, you may need additional tests, or you may be referred to a urologist. Usually, no treatment is necessary unless a serious condition is causing the hematuria. If no underlying cause is found during the initial evaluation, you may be advised to have follow-up urine testing and blood pressure monitoring every three to six months, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as being age 50 or older, smoking cigarettes, or exposure to certain industrial chemicals. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini