Blood Clots in Urine

Blood clots in urine can be an indicator of several health conditions, some of which can be quite serious. The medical term used for the presence of blood in the urine is hematuria or haematuria. Hematuria can be of two types, namely microscopic and macroscopic hematuria, depending on whether blood in the urine can be seen with the naked eye. So, If you can see blood clots in urine and the color of the urine also changes to pink, red or brown, then it is macroscopic hematuria, which is also known as gross hematuria. On the other hand, in case of microscopic hematuria, only a small amount of blood can be found in the urine, for which it does not cause any change in urine coloration. As a result, the presence of blood cells in urine can be detected only through a microscope.

What Causes Blood Clots in Urine?

Blood clots in urine can have numerous causes, but most often it indicates kidney diseases or problems related to the urinary tract. So, presence of stones in the kidneys or urinary bladder, or infection of the urinary tract cause hematuria. Even injury to urinary tract can cause this condition. Another common cause of hematuria is a disease, known as benign familial hematuria or basement membrane disease, which is characterized by thinning of the basement membrane of the glomeruli in the kidney.

Apart from these health problems, blood clots in urine can signify inflammation of the urethra or urinary bladder and kidney, prostate gland enlargement, nephritic syndrome, renal vein thrombosis, bladder tumor, kidney tumor, bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer), obstruction of the urinary tract, sickle cell disease, polycystic kidney disease and blood disorders like hemophilia. It may also be caused due to the kidney failure. However, red colored urine does not always indicate the presence of blood. Sometimes, changes in urine color can be caused by the consumption of certain foods like beet and berries and some medications. Again, women can mistake vaginal bleeding for blood in urine. Similarly, men may mistake bloody ejaculation, which is associated with prostate problems for blood in urine.

Symptoms of Blood Clots in Urine

The most common symptoms of hematuria is the presence of small or large blood clots in urine, due to which the urine may turn pink, orange or red. Sometimes, this can be the only symptom of blood clots in urine, while at other times, it may be accompanied by symptoms like pain in the lower abdomen, pain during urination and frequent urge to urinate. But painless hematuria conditions can also be observed.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Blood Clots in Urine

As blood clots in urine is associated with several health conditions, a number of diagnostic tests are required for determining the exact cause. Physicians usually start diagnosis with a detailed analysis of the symptoms and the medical history of the patient. So, an elaborate study is carried out regarding whether the patient experiences pain while urinating, the shape and the size of the blood clots and time pattern or at what time during urination the clots appear, i.e. whether they appear at the beginning, at the end or throughout the entire stream. The diagnostic tests that are carried out include, blood test, urinalysis, urine culture, ultrasound of the abdomen and renal tract, CT scan, cystoscopy and X-ray. Biopsy is also performed to look for bladder cancer.

Treatment for hematuria or blood clots in urine, basically depends on the underlying causes. If it is found to be caused by urinary tract infection, then antibiotics are recommended to cure the problem. However, factors other than infection would require different treatment options. Therefore, proper diagnosis plays a crucial role in the treatment of blood clots in urine. Some preventive measures like drinking plenty of water, limited salt consumption, quitting alcohol and smoking, maintaining proper diet, etc. can help your for sure to keep yourself away from the serious consequences of hematuria.

So, blood clots in urine is more commonly associated with the injury and infection of the urinary tract, which is not such a major cause of concern, if diagnosed and treated on time. Moreover, intake of several drugs and foods can cause red coloration of urine, which is not associated with any health problem. However, on observing red or brown urine, especially blood clots, one should immediately consult a physician, in order to ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment.