Blood in urine
Medical conditions we treat
ABOUT BLOOD IN URINE
What is haematuria?
Blood in urine, also known as haematuria, causes the urine to look red, pink, or cola-coloured.
Sometimes blood in urine may not be visible, but can be detected by a urine test.
What causes blood in urine?
Blood in urine can be due to bleeding anywhere in the urinary tract.
Common causes include urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, prostate enlargement, and bladder or kidney infections.
In some cases, more serious conditions such as kidney or bladder cancer can cause blood in urine.
Read more about the conditions which can cause blood in urine below.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the bladder. It occurs when cells from the lining of the bladder (known as the urothelium), grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can spread to other parts of the body.
Urinary tract infections
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract, specifically the bladder and urethra.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is a disease caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the kidney. These abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can spread to other parts of the body.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are rock-like crystals which form in the kidneys from the salts and minerals in urine. Kidney stones can cause pain when the flow of urine is blocked by a stone which has moved from the kidney into the ureter.
PATIENT JOURNEY
How is blood in urine investigated?
Blood in urine is never normal and should always be investigated by a doctor to exlude serious causes such as cancer.
Tests to determine the cause of blood in urine may include a urine tests, CT or ultrasound scan, and a procedure to look into the bladder with a camera, known as a cystoscopy.
Read more about cystoscopy below.
