Haematuria

This is the name given to the symptom of passing blood in the urine; it may be macroscopic, in which case you actually see blood in the urine, or microscopic, in which case the urine looks normal; but blood cells can be found by examining the urine under a microscope.

Whilst it is only occasionally a symptom of a serious problem within the urinary tract, it should usually be investigated, as the underlying problem is almost always treatable.

The investigation of the symptom is usually straightforward, and will usually involve an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder, and an internal inspection of the bladder, known as a cystoscopy.

Ultrasound is completely painless, and a cystoscopy, done under local anaesthetic (no needle!), is done as a walk in/walk out procedure, and usually causes nothing more than a rather sharp feeling of wanting to pass water. The 2 tests will usually be done straightaway, and as long as nothing is found, nothing more will need to be done unless the bleeding persists.

Obviously, if a problem is identified, you will be given as much information about your particular case as you wish to have.