Hematuria: Blood in urine.

What is hematuria?

Credit: Kids health 

This in the secretion of blood internally which is washed out by urine. Blood in the urine is medically referred to as hematuria. 

There are two main types of hematuria: gross and microscopic. Gross hematuria can be seen in the urine with the naked eye. Microscopic hematuria is visible only under a microscope. Blood in the urine can come from anywhere in the urinary tract. 

The urinary tract includes the kidneys (where urine is made), the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder (where urine is stored), the prostate (in men), and the urethra (tube through which urine exits the body).

The following are possible causes of blood in the urine 

Blood in the urine, or hematuria, may be a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI occur in any part of the urinary tract. It when bacteria entered the urethra and multiplied within the bladder causing kidney or bladder cancer; inflammation of the kidney, urethra, bladder, or prostate; and polycystic kidney disease.  The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse estimates that UTIs account for greater than 8-million doctor visits annually in the US.  Women are more likely to develop UTIs due to the short length of their urethra and its close proximity to the anus.

Other causes of Hematuria include vigorous exercise and sexual activity, among others.

Symptoms of a UTI may include frequent urination, pain or burning with urination (dysuria), and foul-smelling urine.  

It is most commonly diagnosed by analysing a urine sample (urinalysis) followed by urine culture to identify the causative organism.  Oral antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for UTIs.  When treated promptly and accurately, urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications