Very often the first sign of a urinary tract problem is blood in the urine.
This is never a normal finding, and always requires investigation.
Most times the causes are relatively simple, benign. Inflammation, bladder infections,
or small stones can cause urinary bleeding. But because the hematuria can also
be a sign of more serious problems, such as bladder or kidney cancers, the bleeding
should never be ignored.
A number of tests are available to pinpoint the reason for hematuria, depending
on other symptoms that may or may not be present. Since bleeding can come from
the kidneys, the tubes draining urine from the kidneys (ureter), the urinary bladder,
or urethra (the channel carrying urine to the outside), all of these areas should
be investigated.
A variety of testing such as ultrasound, X-rays, cat scans, and cytology can yield
useful information to help track down the cause of bleeding. The inside of the
urethra and bladder can be easily viewed with flexible telescopes. Even smaller
flexible telescopes can see inside the urethra and the kidneys.
By far the most common causes are infection and non-obstructing stones. These
can be treated effectively with medications and dietary changes. When a tumor
is found, prompt treatment can often result in a complete cure. As in prostate
cancer, urinary bladder and kidney cancers, respond well to treatment. The key
is to detect them in an early stage.
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