Blood in urine, also known as hematuria, is a condition that can be concerning and alarming for many people. Hematuria can vary in severity and can range from microscopic to visible blood in the urine. It can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition, or it can be a benign condition.

What is Blood in Urine (Hematuria)?

Hematuria is a condition characterized by the presence of red blood cells in the urine. Hematuria can be divided into two types: gross hematuria and microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria is when the blood in the urine is visible to the naked eye, while microscopic hematuria is when the blood can only be detected under a microscope.

Causes of Hematuria:

Hematuria can be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions such as:

• Urinary Tract Infections: Infections in the urinary tract, including the bladder and kidneys, can cause hematuria.

• Kidney Stones: The formation of small stones in the kidneys or bladder can cause bleeding.

• Prostate Problems: Enlarged prostate or prostate cancer can cause hematuria in men.

• Trauma or Injury: Blunt trauma or injury to the urinary tract or kidneys can cause hematuria.

• Medications: Some medications, such as blood thinners, can cause hematuria.

• Cancer: Bladder or kidney cancer can cause hematuria.

Risk Factors:

There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing hematuria, including:

• Age: Hematuria is more common in people over the age of 50.

• Gender: Men are more likely to develop hematuria than women.

• Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing bladder cancer, which can cause hematuria.

• Family History: A family history of kidney or bladder cancer increases the risk of developing hematuria.

Symptoms:

The most common symptom of hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. In some cases, hematuria may be asymptomatic, and the presence of blood in the urine may only be detected during a routine medical exam.

Prevention and Treatment:

Prevention of hematuria depends on the underlying cause. However, maintaining good urinary tract health by staying hydrated, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding irritants such as spicy foods and caffeine can reduce the risk of developing hematuria.

Treatment of hematuria depends on the underlying cause. For example, if the cause is a urinary tract infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If the cause is a kidney stone, the stone may need to be removed through surgery or other medical procedures.

Oriental Medicine:

In Oriental medicine, hematuria is believed to be caused by an imbalance in the body's energy flow, which can be corrected through various forms of traditional medicine such as acupuncture and acupressure. These treatments focus on correcting the underlying imbalances in the body and promoting overall health and wellness.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and promote healing. Acupressure involves the application of pressure to these same points to achieve the same effect. Both acupuncture and acupressure have been used to treat a variety of conditions, including hematuria.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, hematuria is a concerning condition that can be caused by a variety of underlying medical conditions. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of hematuria. Prevention and treatment depend on the underlying cause, and Oriental medicine, including acupuncture and acupressure, may be helpful in treating the condition.

References :

• "Hematuria: Evaluation and Treatment" by Gary C. Curhan, M.D., Sc.D. (New England Journal of Medicine, 2019) - This comprehensive review article provides an overview of the causes, evaluation, and management of hematuria, including relevant laboratory tests, imaging studies, and indications for referral to a specialist.

• "Hematuria: Etiology and Evaluation" by Siamak Daneshmand, MD (Urologic Clinics of North America, 2013) - This article provides an in-depth review of the evaluation of hematuria, including the indications for urologic evaluation and the differential diagnosis of various causes of hematuria.

• "Management of hematuria: a systematic review" by Zeb Sohail, et al. (Journal of Nephrology, 2017) - This systematic review summarizes the available evidence regarding the management of hematuria and provides recommendations for clinical practice.

• "Chinese Medicine Treatment of Hematuria" by Ma Jun (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2016) - This article describes various Chinese medicine treatments, including acupuncture, massage, and herbal medicine, for the treatment of hematuria.

• "Traditional Chinese Medicine for Hematuria: A Systematic Review" by Xiaolin Tong, et al. (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2015) - This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hematuria.

• "Acupuncture treatment for hematuria: a systematic review" by Xinyou Zhang, et al. (Acupuncture in Medicine, 2019) - This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of hematuria.

• "Acupressure for the treatment of hematuria: a systematic review" by Qiang Wang, et al. (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2018) - This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of acupressure for the treatment of hematuria.

• "Yoga Therapy for Hematuria: A Case Report" by Shilpa Suraj and Shubha Thatte (International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 2020) - This case report describes the use of yoga therapy in the management of a patient with hematuria.

• "The Effects of Herbal Medicine on Hematuria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" by Joo-Young Kim, et al. (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019) - This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for the treatment of hematuria.

• "The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Hematuria: A Systematic Review" by Nader Salameh, et al. (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2018) - This systematic review evaluates the prevalence and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of hematuria.