Haematuria
Definition
- Haematuria is the presence of blood in the urine.
Types
- Microscopic haematuria: Blood in the urine that is visible only under a microscope.
- Macroscopic haematuria: Visible blood in the urine.
Causes
- Renal causes
- Glomerulonephritis
- Pyelonephritis
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Ureteric causes
- Ureteric stones
- Ureteric strictures
- Ureteric cancer
- Bladder causes
- Bladder stones
- Interstitial cystitis
- Bladder cancer
- Systemic causes
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypertension
- Coagulopathy
- Trauma
- Infections
Clinical Features
- Pathology
- Haematuria can be due to various pathological conditions, including renal, ureteric, and bladder abnormalities.
- Types
- Microscopic and macroscopic haematuria
- Clinical Features
- Painful or painless haematuria
- Frequency and urgency
- Nocturia
- Dysuria
Investigations
- Urinalysis
- Haematuria is confirmed by urinalysis
- Presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, and proteins in the urine
- Imaging
- Intravenous urography (IVU)
- Ultrasound
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy
- Renal biopsy
- Bladder biopsy
Complications
- Severe haematuria: Can lead to anaemia and shock
- Infection: Can lead to sepsis and renal failure
- Ureteric obstruction: Can lead to renal failure
Management
- Conservative management
- Bed rest
- Pain relief
- Fluid replacement
- Surgical management
- Ureteric stones: Ureteroscopy or open surgery
- Ureteric strictures: Ureteroplasty or resection
- Bladder stones: Cystoscopy or open surgery
- Bladder cancer: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) or radical cystectomy
- Endoscopic management
Homoeopathic Therapeutics for Haematuria
- Arsenicum album: For haematuria due to kidney stones or ureteric obstruction
- Cantharis: For painful haematuria
- Hydrastis canadensis: For haematuria due to urinary tract infections
- Sarsaparilla: For haematuria due to kidney or bladder problems
- Staphysagria: For haematuria due to urinary tract trauma