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Blood in the urine is itself a symptom rather than a disease, so the appearance of the urine is usually not a clue as to the cause. In gross hematuria, the urine appears pinkish, red, or smoky brown, and there may be small blood clots. It is interesting that the amount of blood in the urine does not indicate the seriousness of the condition. In microscopic hematuria, the urine appears normal and is not visible without a microscope. [1] Many people with hematuria have no other symptoms related to the underlying cause of the bleeding.
Pain in the flank, back, lower belly or groin is commonly associated with blood in urine and especially kidney stones. Moreover, patients will commonly experience a burning sensation or pain when urinating, fever, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, and decreased appetite. Not all people with kidney stones have all of these symptoms. [7]
Symptoms of urinary tract infection may be similar to those or kidney stones, and these are a pain in lower back, flank, lower abdomen, or groin, which may be severe but not enough to cause writhing. [7]
READ Kidney Pain vs. Back Pain
When To Seek Medical Care
Any time you notice blood in the urine or another symptom of a urinary tract disease, you should call your health care provider. If you cannot get in touch with your provider or get an appointment that day, go to a hospital emergency department immediately. Anytime you have a combination of blood in the urine, fever, and flank pain, you should seek emergency medical care because this may represent a severe kidney infection.
Exams And Tests For Blood In Urine
Regardless of whether you have microscopic or gross hematuria, your health care provider will ask questions to try to discover the cause of your blood in urine. You will be asked about your:
- Medical conditions and history, particularly whether you have ever had blood in the urine before,
- Whether you have had any recent illnesses, accidents, surgeries, or medical procedures or tests,
- Which medications you take or have taken in the past, including over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, or drugs of abuse, herbs, supplements, and other alternative products.
After this initial examination, laboratory and imaging studies may be performed.