Hematuria
Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine. The term microscopic hematuria implies that the urine appears normal to the naked eye, although red blood cells can be seen when a health care provider examines the urine specimen under a microscope. In contrast, the term gross hematuria indicates that there is a sufficient amount of blood in the urine to change its color (usually giving the urine a red or brown appearance). While gross hematuria is often evident by simple visualization of the urine, microscopic hematuria is often detected by accident when a urinalysis is performed. In some cases, microscopic hematuria may be benign in origin, self-limited and may not require an extensive diagnostic evaluation. In contrast, gross hematuria (and most cases of microscopic hematuria) is a condition that should be carefully evaluated by a urologist.
There are several causes of microscopic and/or gross hematuria; urinary tract infections and inflammation, kidney and/or bladder stones and cancer of the bladder, kidney or prostate gland are among the most common. Your urologist may recommend a number of tests to evaluate the presence of blood in your urine, including x-rays of the kidneys and ureters (the tubes that run between the kidneys and bladder) and an office procedure called cystoscopy. During a cystoscopy, your urologist will use a small, flexible scope to directly examine the bladder and urethra. If any abnormalities are seen, biopsies can be taken to facilitate the diagnosis and guide the treatment plan.
| Service Name | Appointment |
|---|---|
| Urology - Adult | |
| General Urology | A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Brighton Health Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Livonia Center for Specialty Care | 734-936-7030 |
| Ypsilanti Health Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Michigan Center for Minimally Invasive Urology - A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Urology - Pediatric | A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Livonia Health Center | 734-936-7030 |
