​Haematuria

Haematuria is the appearance of blood in the urine. Haematuria is not a disease in itself, but it may indicate an abnormality in your urinary system.

Normally, the kidneys are responsible for preventing blood from seeping into your urinary tract and showing up in the urine. Hence haematuria might indicate kidney-related issues such as kidney stones, kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), inherited kidney disorders (alport syndrome or sickle cell anaemia) or bacterial kidney infection. Kidney stones are usually common among middle-aged patients and might be a problem if they end up obstructing the urinary tract. Inflammation and kidney infections usually affect the filtering ability of the kidneys, hence allowing blood leakage into the urine. 

There could be non-kidney related sources for haematuria as well. These may include an enlarged prostate (resulting in excess pressure on the urinary tract), kidney injury, rigorous physical workout and medications which cause the bladder to bleed.

Haematuria usually causes the urine to become brown or pink in colour.  There is hardly any pain or burning sensation associated with the blood unless the urine contains blood clots.

In certain cases however, haematuria might not result in any symptoms at all.

If you notice blood in your urine, immediately consult your doctor from the Kidney and Bladder service line at Aga Khan University Hospital.

Urine with a brown tinge does not necessarily indicate blood. It could be the side effect of certain medicines, food or physical workout as well. It is therefore important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Your doctor might begin with a physical exam followed by some urine and blood tests. These would help determine the presence of red blood cells in the urine, along with any excess of protein or waste products in the blood.

Imaging tests of the urinary tract might follow in the form of ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These tests yield detailed imagery and help determine abnormalities in the shape, size, form and mass of the kidney-bladder region.

In case your doctor finds these tests inconclusive, he may further prescribe a cystoscopy. This would provide a live video feed of the inner linings of your bladder and urethra, thus visually helping determine any abnormalities in the region.

In case all tests fail, your doctor may prescribe follow-up tests on a regular basis.

The treatment for haematuria depends on the underlying source of the bleeding.

If the problem is due to kidney stones, the treatment may range from simple muscle relaxants, to extensive medical procedures.

If the kidneys are suffering from glomerulonephritis, the treatment would depend on the type of inflammation present.

In case the problem is due to prostate enlargement, medication aimed at reducing the size of the enlargement might be used.

If haematuria is due to kidney injury, exacting physical activity or medication-related side effects, simple rest or mild medicines might be sufficient.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

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​The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider. ​