Urology Center Diagnostic Interventions For Hematuria
Hematuria is the medical term for blood in the urine. It is a common finding in both men and women and even in children. Hematuria can occur in the absence of other symptoms, however, it can also accompany a variety of different symptoms. Before your healthcare provider can recommend the appropriate treatment for your hematuria, the cause needs to be identified. Here are some diagnostic interventions a doctor at a urology center may recommend.
Symptom Assessment And Urinalysis
The urology center healthcare provider will ask you to describe your symptoms, if any, that are accompanying your hematuria. If you report that you are also experiencing urinary frequency, urinary urgency, burning upon urination, pelvic or bladder pain, or pain in your lower back, then they may suspect a urinary tract or kidney infection. After the healthcare provider assesses your symptoms, they will ask you for a urine sample for a urinalysis.
The urinalysis may reveal certain causes for your hematuria such as increased white blood cells and bacteria in your sample. It also tests for glucose in your urine, red blood cells, yeast, and mucus. If your urine test reveals the presence of crystals, it may mean that you are dehydrated, have a lot of minerals in your urine, or have a bacterial infection. In addition, urine crystals can be a sign of tumor lysis syndrome, which may be caused by certain cancer treatments.
Ultrasound Of Bladder Or Kidneys
The urology center provider may also recommend an ultrasound of your bladder or kidneys. This non-invasive test can reveal abnormalities such as inflammation, structural problems, and kidney and bladder stones, which can cause hematuria. Your ultrasound may also reveal the presence of cysts or tumors in the urinary tract that may be responsible for the blood in your urine.
Ultrasounds are thought to be very safe because they use sound waves instead of radiation to capture images of body structures. Conversely, traditional x-rays use ionizing radiation in order to capture pictures of internal structures. If your ultrasound reveals abnormalities, further testing such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography scan (CT), or tissue biopsy may be recommended to identify the cause of your hematuria.
If you develop hematuria, make an appointment with a urologist. Once the source of your hematuria has been uncovered, the healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan. If the cause turns out to be a simple urinary tract infection, antibiotics may be the treatment of choice. Once you have completed the entire course of your antibiotics, your symptoms, including blood in the urine, should resolve.