Red urine - the main reasons for its appearance

Hematuria often indicates diseases of the kidneys or other parts of the body:

• Nephrosis,
• Kidney tuberculosis,
• Renal failure, including acute,
• Sore throat, flu, and other infections. Hematuria develops especially severely with complications
• Tumors,
• Sometimes the cause is heart failure,
• Kidney defects, both congenital and acquired.

Some of the above diseases appear spontaneously, even if the patient has led a healthy lifestyle. These include viral diseases, or tumors. Therefore, if symptoms are detected, you should not delay treatment; it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

To determine the disease, different types of diagnostics are used. The most common of these is a urine test. This helps determine whether the pink or red color is actually due to blood in the urine.

Urine tests are different. For example, there is an analysis according to Nechiporenko, as well as a general clinical analysis of urine, which poses different tasks.

If a kidney problem is suspected to be the cause of urine staining, doctors often prescribe an ultrasound examination of various parts of the body.

If symptoms appear as a result of injury, or the patient feels pain, then magnetic resonance therapy of the abdominal cavity is prescribed, which is designed to determine internal bleeding or simply damage to internal organs.

If the above diagnostic methods do not give a positive result, cystoscopy (examination of the bladder) is prescribed.

They will take a blood test to check how well your blood clots.

Why is your urine red when you eat beets?

Beetroot is beneficial to the human body because it has properties that are beneficial to health.
First of all, it is an excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, it contains B vitamins and ascorbic acid. However, this healthy vegetable can change the color of urine. This is explained by the fact that chemical compounds from food are also excreted in the urine.

If a person has eaten beets, he may notice not only changes in the color of the urine from pink-red to dark red, but also significant changes in the color of the stool. This occurs under the influence of flavonoids and carotenoids, which change the color of waste products.

Beets do not always color urine. Sometimes the acid in the stomach removes the color, and the urine remains in its usual shade.

How many days does the effect last? If the consumption of beets was not excessive, then the color of the urine should return to its previous shade after just one day. If this does not happen, perhaps the reason lies not in the consumption of beets, but in some kind of disease. It is recommended to consult a doctor.

Evaluation of hematuria

With microhematuria, a change in the color of urine may not be noticed, but tests will show the presence of red blood cells during cytological examination under a microscope.

In addition to the urine test, other tests may be needed.

• Computed tomography allows you to identify stones in the kidneys or bladder, tumors.
• Ultrasound is informative regarding the picture of the structure of the kidney - parenchyma, pyelocaliceal complex.
• Intravenous pyelogram is an x-ray of the urinary tract using contrast dye.
• Cystoscopy is a visual examination of the bladder through the urethra. With cystoscopy, it is also possible to take a tissue sample for biopsy.

If during an additional examination the source of hematuria is not found, and it is definitely established that the reddish tint to the urine is not caused by food or medications, then the tests will need to be repeated after some time. Many diseases can occur without pain or other symptoms at the very beginning. Every 3-6 months it is necessary to conduct repeated blood tests and constantly monitor blood pressure readings, especially if there are risk factors for the development of malignant tumors of the genitourinary system. These include hereditary predisposition, age 50 years and older, smoking, constant exposure to certain industrial chemicals.

Safe Reasons

Sometimes, some people notice a change in color in their urine, which can be red with varying degrees of saturation: from light pink to deep red.

With pathological processes occurring in the body, urine may turn red.

This is often due to the ingress of blood or other chemical components into it. If after the analysis it turns out that blood was found in the urine, then it is necessary to undergo an even more detailed examination, because blood in the urine is a deviation from the normal parameters of a healthy person.

Blood cells found in urine are commonly referred to as hematuria. If the color saturation is weak, they speak of microhematuria.

If the reason is not pathological changes in the body, then the red color may appear in the following cases:

• taking medications related to anti-tuberculosis therapy;
• eating food dyes or beets;
• taking laxatives.

Before going to see a doctor, you need to analyze all previously taken food products and tell the specialist about them.

The fact is that many foods can affect the color of the fluid released from the body.

The presence of red blood cells (that is, red blood cells) in the urine is called hematuria. According to established medical standards, in a man’s biological fluid the number of red blood cells should not exceed 3 units.

In addition to the diseases that were listed above, pathologies in the male genital organs and prostate gland are also provocateurs that give urine a red color:

• Diseases and congestive processes in the prostate.
• Received physical trauma to the scrotum or urethra in men.
• Cancerous growths in the prostate gland.

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As a rule, the intensity of urine staining will differ from the degree and type of the damaging factor. For example, in case of renal pathologies, when examining a patient, blood is detected on the mucous membrane of the bladder. In this case, the urine becomes brown.

But if the urine acquires a bright bloody color with coagulated blood clots, then this phenomenon already indicates damage to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract or tissues of the genital organs.

Which, in turn, require medical intervention, when the patient, when talking with a doctor, must tell him for how long and after which he noticed red urine. And does any other symptoms bother him?

Red urine does not necessarily indicate pathology; it can change if the body has any disease or is affected by previously consumed food.

A change in color to a reddish color is possible if you use a product of a bright red, burgundy hue. After beets, red urine is common, as is after vinaigrette or beet soup.

The color changes after cherries, honeysuckle, currants, grape, pomegranate juices, or another burgundy drink. Alcohol, such as red wine, can have an effect.

If such products were not consumed, then the reason lies in something serious.

List of diagnoses that are most often given to patients with red urine:

• urolithiasis disease;
• glomerulonephritis;
• hemophilia;
• lumbar region injuries;
• cystitis;
• liver damage;
• tumors;
• problems with the genitals.

The disease is indicated by secreted fluid with flakes, a pungent odor, and the presence of clots.

Kidney tumors

With this disease, worm-like clots are observed in the urine. Bleeding begins suddenly and painlessly. Signs of a tumor include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and colic. The pathology often occurs in men over 40 years of age. The only treatment is surgical.

Urolithiasis disease

In this case, blood is released due to the rough surface of the stones, which damages the mucous membranes, so it ends up in the patient’s urine.

The disease occurs without symptoms for a long time. Its symptoms are manifested by unpleasant sensations in the lower back.

Women may experience pain in the side. In men - in the scrotum area.

Pain in the lower abdomen also indicates pathology. Lack of proper treatment leads to hydronephrosis (expansion of the renal pelvis and calyces), acute calculous pyelonephritis, nephrosclerosis (shrinkage of the organ).

Glomerulonephritis

To answer the question of why urine is brown, let's look at what affects its overall color. The color of urine depends on the amount of urochrome it contains.

It is this pigment that colors it either light yellow, or orange, or brown. Sometimes urine can change color several times during the day.

For example, in the morning it is more concentrated (after the night) and darker, and if a person drinks a lot of water, it becomes completely pale, since the concentration of pigment in it decreases significantly.

Color is affected by food (for example, legumes or carrots, carbonated drinks containing chemical dyes, beets), heat outside, the use of certain types of medications (when using laxatives, much less fluid passes through the kidneys than usual) and much more.

Even with great physical exertion, when sweating increases and urine output through the kidneys decreases, the urine darkens. These are natural causes of darkening of the fluid secreted by the body.

Therefore, even if the urine suddenly turns brown, you should not think that this is a cause for serious concern. .

Dark colored urine after drinking alcohol, especially for several days in a row, is also a common occurrence. Alcohol is a toxin for the body, causing many diseases, including the genitourinary system. With alcohol poisoning, blood may appear in the urine, which turns it brown.

If brown urine remains for a long time, despite changing your diet and stopping medications that affect its color, this is a reason to consult a doctor so as not to miss the onset of the disease. Dark urine is a manifestation of the following pathologies:

• hepatitis of various origins;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• cholelithiasis;
• pancreas cancer;
• liver cancer;
• various kidney diseases, including cancer, etc.
• dehydration of the body.

Pathologies that cause blood in the urine

Ailments that may cause red urine include:

• urolithiasis, in which stones located in the bladder or kidneys injure their surface, causing blood to appear in the urine;
• glomerulonephritis, a violation of permeability in the blood vessels of the kidneys;
• bladder tumors;
• porphyria associated with hereditary changes in pigment metabolism in the human body;
• hemoglobinuria, which occurs when red blood cells are rapidly destroyed;
• blood clotting disorder;
• inflammatory processes and infectious ailments of the genital organs;
• mechanical damage;
• getting injured in the lumbar region.

For serious problems, red urine is not the only symptom. These diseases are usually accompanied by:

• lower back pain;
• general weakness;
• heavy sweating;
• painful urination;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• unpleasant smell of urine;
• fever, chills;
• sharp pain in the abdomen.

It is necessary to be examined, pass all tests, and, if necessary, undergo diagnostics. Based on the results obtained, the doctor prescribes the necessary treatment.

Change in urine color in children

When red urine is observed in a newborn baby in the first few days of his life, this is absolutely normal. By day 12 it will become almost transparent.

Why is she changing? The fact is that the baby consumes breast milk, which contains practically no water. Because of this, salts accumulate in the baby’s urine, changing its composition and color.

If the baby has a body temperature above normal, diarrhea and vomiting, this can also cause staining and the appearance of sediment in the liquid. A common cold can contribute to the change.

Change in urine color when tumors appear

Any tumor in the urinary system, regardless of its nature, can lead to tissue damage. Gradually growing, it will begin to put pressure on the membranes of organs, damaging them. Blood clots formed as a result of such exposure will be released along with urine.

Red blood cells can leak into urine if the integrity of the organs of the excretory system is damaged. If blood appears regularly in the urine, it is necessary to conduct an examination. Perhaps the problem lies in a chronic inflammatory process occurring in the organs of the excretory system.

• Red urine in a child

Red and pink urine in men

Several factors may indicate the causes of red urine in girls and women. For example, cervical erosion, uterine bleeding, ectopic pregnancy.

If the secreted liquid suddenly changes color to orange or dark brown, this is the first symptom of pathology. Symptoms also include nagging pain in the lower abdomen. If we are talking about an ectopic pregnancy, then it takes on a sharp, stabbing character.

In girls, blood is observed during menstruation, which does not pose a danger.

Red urine indicates the presence of cystitis or pathology of the genital organs in men. If it is scarlet or pink in color, then the blood came from the organs of the reproductive system. If the shade is dark brown or brown, it is from the buds.

The following factors contribute to this:

• hereditary hemophilia;
• polycystic kidney disease;
• prostate cancer;
• adenoma.

If the waste product has changed color, but there is no pain, the cause of this phenomenon is excessive physical activity, high blood pressure, long-term use of medications and vitamins.

Nature of the phenomenon

The normal color of adult urine is clear or deep yellow. The color of urine is influenced by a substance called urochrome. It is a product of the breakdown of hemoglobin that occurs in red blood cells. What factors can influence the color of urine? Firstly, this is the person's age. Many people have probably noticed that children's urine has a lighter shade. The amount of fluid consumed is also of great importance. People who drink a lot of water have almost clear urine. If there are disturbances in the body's water balance, the urine may take on an amber hue.

As a rule, a change in the color of urine attracts a person's attention. Why is urine red in men? Sometimes such manifestations can occur when changing your diet or taking potent medications. In any case, if you notice a reddish tint to the urine or the appearance of blood clots in the discharge, this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.

Is it dangerous for pregnant women?

If the expectant mother's urine color changes, be sure to consult a doctor. Urine fluid can change color due to foods, vitamins, and medications taken.

Sometimes this phenomenon appears “on its own” and goes away after childbirth. In any case, a pregnant woman needs to get tested.

After all, when carrying a fetus in the early and late stages, a woman’s body is especially susceptible to infections.

In case of inflammatory processes, the doctor prescribes antibiotic tablets. Don't forget, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the shorter the course of treatment. This is especially important for a pregnant woman and baby. After complete recovery, it is recommended to continue to see a doctor for some time.

Medicines

We should not forget that medications can also change the color of urine.

Metabolic products of some medications can also turn urine shades of red.

Such drugs include:

• Anisindione (Maradone) – anticoagulant
• Daunorubicin, Rubomycin - cytostatic for chemotherapy
• Sena-based laxatives (anthraquinone), phenolphthalein.
• Fentonyl and Prochlorperazine (Vertinex) are antipsychotics commonly used to treat dizziness and nausea.
• Rifampicin and metronidazole are antibiotics that produce a red or orange color.
• Chlorpromazine, Thioridazine are used as antipsychotic drugs.
• Tranquilizers
• Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to treat blood clots.
• Propofol is an anesthetic
• Aspirin, heparin, and cyclophosphamide, which reduce blood clotting ability, can indirectly increase the risk of hematuria.

Lead and mercury poisoning can affect the color of urine.

Principles of diagnosis and treatment

In order to identify the cause of the red tint of urine, a thorough diagnosis of the body will be required. To do this you will need to go through:

1. General analysis of the patient's urine. This study is mandatory and allows you to determine how much blood is present in the patient’s urine.
2. What portion of urine turns red? In case of damage to the urethra or neoplasms in the urethra, only the first portion of urine is colored (initial hematuria). Urine becomes colored at the end of urination - the reason is in the bladder (calculi and tumors in the organ). This type of hematuria is called terminal. If the urine is uniformly colored, this indicates various kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis), the presence of kidney stones, as well as the development of oncological tumors. This hematuria is called total.
3. Ultrasound examination of the urinary tract and kidneys. This diagnosis allows you to identify the presence of stones and foci of inflammation.
4. Excretory urography - this examination is carried out using x-rays and allows for in-depth diagnosis of the urinary tract and kidneys. A special X-ray contrast agent is injected into the human body, then the progress of the drug’s elimination is monitored using photographs.
5. Cystoscopy - examines the bladder and urethra. The procedure is carried out using the instrumental method; for this, the patient is given local anesthesia, and then a cystoscope (a special optical system) is inserted.

Other systemic diseases

If the urine is red, then the cause may be outside the urinary system. Since the kidneys remove waste products from the body, systemic diseases are also reflected in urine values. Such diseases include:

• Hepatitis - dark reddish-brown urine with excess bilirubin.
• Erythropoietic uroporphyria is a rare congenital disease in which heme and, therefore, hemoglobin is not formed from porphyrin. Porphyrin will color the urine red.
• Idiopathic autoimmune anemia - the color of urine comes from red blood cells destroyed by the immune system.
• Rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscle fibers due to inflammation).
• Tuberculosis, endocarditis.
• Dysfunction of platelets of various origins; hemophilia.

Principles of diagnosis and treatment

After diagnosing the main cause of red urine, begin the necessary treatment:

1. If the cause lies in infection, a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed.
2. When stones form in the kidneys or urinary tract, surgery is often resorted to.
3. Any tumors will also need to be removed surgically.
4. For glomerulonephritis, the patient is prescribed glucocorticoids and cytostatics.

If red urine appears as a result of eating foods such as beets and some berries, treatment is not necessary. As soon as the kidneys finish filtering the urine and it is safely excreted from the body, the color of the urine will return to normal.

When taking certain medications, you should carefully read the instructions, which mention the possible coloration of urine red. After discontinuation of the drugs, urine acquires a characteristic straw color and transparency.

How does hematuria manifest?

The natural color of urine is normally almost transparent yellow to amber. Which depends on the concentration of the urine composition. For example, the color saturation of urine increases if a person drinks little fluid per day. It begins to darken as a result of mixing with urates, an increase in uric acid or salts.

Which also leads to kidney bleeding or inflammation developing in the bladder. When traces of blood in urine may differ in nature. That is, they have a thread-like appearance in case of damage to kidney tissue. Or they are excreted from the urethra along with urine, with clots due to inflammation in the bladder.

Which in most cases is manifested by additional symptoms:

• The frequency of urination increases.
• Urine acquires a specific aroma.
• The patient has a fever. Breaks into a sweat.
• Body temperature rises.
• There is pain in the stomach.

If you begin to suffer from such symptoms, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possible. What needs to be done for a speedy recovery by following his advice and taking the medications prescribed by him based on the diagnosis.

The essence of the problem

If we talk about the physical characteristics and the totality of urine components not only in men, but also in representatives of the fair half of humanity, then these indicators are a very important measure of assessing the state of human health. The red tint of urine indicates functional disorders occurring in the body. And there are only cases when the indicated shade may be the result of the fact that the patient’s diet contained foods such as rhubarb or beets.

In the language of specialists, the presence of red blood cells in the urine is called “hematuria”. In medicine, micro- and macrohematuria are distinguished. At the first time in the urine sediment, specialists identify a single number of red blood cells, which can only be detected by microscopic examination. However, the color of the urine does not change. When macrohematuria develops, you can observe how red urine appears or its shade resembles the color of meat slop. Such changes can be detected even with the naked eye.