HEMATURIA - WHAT IS THIS ?.
Blood in urine known medically as hematuria - is usually not a reason major alarm. Because blood in the urine can be a sign of a serious medical condition however it it should not be ignored . all cases of hematuria should be properly evaluated by a medical expert who can order tests to confirm or rule out an underlying cause . there is no specific treatment for this condition because of its symptom and not a specific condition instead treatment is aimed at underlying cause if one can be found in many cases treatment is necessary
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HEMATURIA
Gross Hematuria
if there is enough blood in your urine that your urine appears pink or red or has spots of visible blood you have gross hematuria
Microscopic Hematuria
When you cant see the blood because the amount is so small you have microscopic hematuria only a lab test that detects blood or looking at a sample of urine under a microscope can confirm microscopic hematuria

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The etiology and pathophysiology of hematuria vary for instance hematuria of glomerular base membrane caused by inflammatory or immunologic processes. chemicals may cause toxic disruptions of the renal tubules whereas calculi may cause mechanincal erosion of the mucosal surfaces in the genitourinary tract resulting in hematuria

WHAT CAUSES HEMATURIA
Reasons people may have blood in the urine include
1. infection of the bladder kidney or prostate
2. Trauma
3. Vigorous exercise
4. Viral illness such as hepatitis a viral that causes liver disease and inflammation of the liver
5.Sexual Activity
6. Mensuration
7.Endometriosis a problem in women that occurs when the kind of tissues that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else such as the bladder
Note that more serious reasons maybe responsible for hematuria these include
bladder or kidney cancer
inflammation of the kidney, urethra bladder or prostate - a walnut shaped gland in men that surround the urethra and helps make semen
blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia
sickle cell disease - a genetic disorder in which a person's body makes abnormally shaped red blood cells
poly cystic kidney disease - a genetic disorder in which may cysts grow on person's kidneys

THOSE WHO ARE PRONE TO HEMATURIA
People who are likely to develop hematuria may include
having an enlarged prostate
having urinary stones
taking certain medications such as blood thinners aspirin and other pain relievers and antibiotics
those involved in strenuous exercise such as long distance running
having a bacterial or viral infection such as streptococcus or hepatitis
having a family history of kidney disease
having a disease or condition that affects one or more organs
HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND CONFIRM HEMATURIA
testing is performed to determine the extent severity and persistence of blood in the urine and to identify and address the underlying cause . generally a health expert will use an initial set of tests to confirm the presence of hematuria and identify or rule out some of the more common cause causes depending on those finding as well as the affected person's signs symptoms and medical history a more extensive work up may be done
LABORATORY TEST
Urinalysis - this is typically the first test performed and the primary means by which hematuria is detected or confirmed .
it consists of of visual and chemical examinations that can identify gross hematuria based upon the color of the urine and by a positive finding on a chemical rest strip. if there are abnormal finds then a microscopic examination is performed According to the American Urological Association microscopic hematurai is defined as more than 3 red blood cells seen per high powered field (rbc/hpf)on two of the tree urine samples
Blood tests for creatinine and urea nitrogen (BUN) - Performed to evaluate to kidney function these may be ordered as part of a basic metabolic panel (BMP) or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Complete blood count (CBC) - to evaluate blood cells and platelets, maybe ordered as a general evaluation of health or when anemia infection or blood cell abnormality is suspected .
Possible follow up testing to further evaluate the health of the kidneys and their function may include
Urine protein or urine albumin ( microalbumin)
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and or rarely a creatinine clearance
Cystatin C - may be used as an alternative to the blood creatinine test and to calculate eGFR
Urine culture - performed to identify a bacteria infection when suspected
Urine cytology - performed to look for and identify abnormal cells in the urine
HOW CAN ONE PREVENT HEMATURIA
Preventing hematuria means preventing the underlying causes -
to prevent infections, drink plenty of water daily , urinate immediately after sexual intercourse, and practice good hygiene
to prevent stones drink plenty of water and avoid excess salt and certain foods like spinach and rhubarb
to prevent bladder cancer refrain from smoking limit your exposure to chemical and drink plenty water .

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON TREATMENT KINDLY CONTACT DR WILLIAMS 07036507238 whatsapp or email mosesabiola2014@gmail.com