Blood in the urine: when is it serious?
Blood in the urine is not always a sign of serious disease, but it should never be ignored.
Blood in the urine (haematuria) may be visible or found only on testing.
Common causes
- Urinary tract infection - Kidney or ureteral stones - Prostate enlargement in men - Lesions and tumours of the urinary tract
Assessment
Work-up usually involves urine testing, imaging and, when indicated, cystoscopy. Even a single painless episode deserves investigation.
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