Most males ignore medical problems for as long as possible, especially those concerned with their “water works”; until a nagging wife or girlfriend drags them to the doctor.
Ignorance is not always bliss and complacency quickly changes to alarm when blood starts showing up in the urine.
What your urine reveals
The urinary (urologic) system filters waste and extra fluid from your blood in to your urine from whence it is passed out of the body. However, when certain abnormal substances such as blood, protein, sugar, bacteria, etc. start showing up too, there is cause for concern.
Protein in the blood may indicate kidney disease and the early signs of kidney damage from long-standing diabetes. High levels of sugar in the urine are often signs of diabetes. Blood in the urine, a common symptom, may be a sign of different diseases in the kidneys, the urinary system or the bladder and bacteria usually indicates an infection of some sort.
What can’t be seen in urine with the naked eye can be analysed biochemically and under a microscope as in the case of bladder cancer. In the tropics, bladder cancer is often brought about by the tiny micro-organisms that invade the bladder after infection with bilharzia (river blindness), a parasitic infection of the urinary tract .Even sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and drug abuse substances may leave traces in your urine. Other rare conditions such as urinary tract tuberculosis may also be detected in urine.
Major causes of urinary bleeding (haematuria) in men
Both men and women may experience urinary bleeding (haematuria), usually due to a urinary tract infection. However, many of the other leading causes of urinary bleeding are more common in men.
Blood may colour normal pale yellow urine pink, red, brownish-red, or tea-coloured. This is called gross haematuria. Sometimes blood in the urine is not visible to the naked eye and can only be detected under a microscope. This is called microscopic haematuria. Blood in the urine is a warning sign that should never be ignored.
It may come from:
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- Kidneys (where urine is made)
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- Ureters (the tubes that transport the urine from the kidneys to the bladder)
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- Bladder (where urine is stored)
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- Urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis).
It may be caused by the following:
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- Kidney disease (both hereditary and other )
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- Kidney stone disease which is associated with a high concentration of calcium in the urine, dehydration, infection, obstruction of urine and various kidney disorders
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- Trauma such as a blow to the kidneys during sport or an accident
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- Multiple kidney cysts (polycystic kidney disease)
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- Abnormalities of the kidney’s arteries or veins
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- Narrowing of the ureter that causes urine to back-up in the kidneys (hydronephrosis)
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- Cancer of the kidney, ureter, bladder or prostate
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- Infections of the prostate (acute and chronic bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis), bladder (cystitis) or kidneys (adult pyelonephritis due to infection with bacteria from the bladder)
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- Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged but usually non-cancerous prostate
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- Metabolic abnormalities (a high concentration of calcium in the urine or occasionally in the blood)
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- Vigorous exercise (“runner’s haematuria”) with bleeding in the first few hours after exercise
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- Radiation damage
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- Medication being taken (excessive anti-clotting drugs, aspirin, penicillin, heparin, cyclophosphamide and phenazopyridine to name a few)
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- Sickle cell anaemia.
Common symptoms
The following may be signs of possible urinary system and prostate problems:
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- Pain and burning when urinating
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- Frequent urge to urinate
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- Not being able to hold your urine (urinary incontinence), difficulties in urinating at all or in emptying your bladder and to stop dribbling
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- Blood in your urine or semen
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- Cloudy and foul-smelling urine
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- Painful ejaculation
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- Frequent pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area or upper thighs
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- Severe pain over the kidney or abdomen regions
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- Weakness, weight loss, fatigue and joint pain
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- A high fever, nausea, vomiting and feeling generally unwell.
Recognise the clues
It’s important to recognise the abovementioned clues and symptoms and to see a doctor immediately, before they deteriorate into a life-threatening disease or condition. Many, doctors for example advise male patients to have yearly PSA tests after the age of 50 to help identify and treat prostate problems promptly.
Sources
Blood in urine (hematuria). Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com
Davis C. P. 2014. Prostate problems facts. Retrieved from: http://www.medicinenet.com
Simon, H.B. 2013. When there’s blood in your urine. Retrieved from: http://www.intelihealth.com
Urinary health for men. Retrieved from: http://www.womenshealth.gov
Urine test. Retrieved from: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk