Definition of Hematuria During a routine urinalysis, a number of red blood cells per high-powered field of view exceeding 3 is medically called hematuria. If the hematuria is red, blood-like or has a blood clot when observed with the naked eye, it is called hematuria by the naked eye. If the criteria for hematuria are met, but it is not visible to the naked eye, it is called microscopic hematuria. Causes of hematuria Like fever, hematuria is not a disease, but a clinical symptom caused by a certain disease. Why is there blood in urine? 1, urinary system diseases The causes of hematuria are more than 95% caused by diseases of the urinary tract itself, including stones, infections, tumors, injuries, etc. In addition, renal prolapse, wandering kidney, congenital polycystic kidney, etc., are also important causes of hematuria. 2.Systemic diseases Such as blood diseases, infectious diseases, connective tissue diseases (such as lupus erythematosus), and endocrine and metabolic disorders, such as gouty kidney and diabetic nephropathy, etc. 3. Diseases of organs adjacent to the urinary tract Such as inflammation of female pelvic organs, rectal cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian malignant tumors, etc. invading the urinary system can cause hematuria. In addition, hematuria may also appear after strenuous exercise (called post-exercise hematuria), and there are also some hematuria for which it is difficult to identify a specific cause (such as idiopathic hematuria). The etiology of hematuria in young, middle-aged, and elderly patients is not exactly the same. In adolescents, hematuria is commonly associated with urinary tract infections, glomerulonephritis, and congenital urinary tract abnormalities. In middle-aged people, urinary tract infections, stones and bladder tumors are more common. among patients aged 40-60 years, bladder tumors, kidney or ureteral tumors are more common in men, and urinary tract infections, stones and bladder tumors are common in women. In patients over 60 years of age, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, and urinary tract infections are common in men, and bladder tumors and urinary tract infections are common in women. Potential dangers of hematuria We should pay special attention to painless hematuria, which often has no symptoms or discomfort other than hematuria, and this hematuria can disappear temporarily without treatment. Hematuria occurs intermittently and sporadically. Whenever the hematuria disappears, the patient always thinks that the “disease” has also disappeared. In fact, such intermittent and painless hematuria is often a clinical manifestation of urological tumors. Once the hematuria suddenly worsens, it is often in the advanced stage of the tumor. According to statistics, among patients with painless hematuria, bladder cancer accounts for almost 50% and kidney cancer accounts for 40%. And most of these tumors occur in middle-aged and elderly people over 40 years old. Therefore, people must be on high alert when painless hematuria occurs in middle age. From the first occurrence of hematuria, the cause should be identified and should never be delayed. Prevention of hematuria As the saying goes, it is better to treat a disease than to prevent it. To refuse hematuria, you should take some conscious measures in your life to prevent diseases that may lead to the appearance of hematuria. Prevention of prostatitis: sexual life should be moderate, should pay attention to sexual physiological hygiene, in order to prevent excessive congestion of the prostate gland and the occurrence of genital infection; develop good habits, ban smoking and alcohol, do not eat spicy and stimulating food; prevent excessive fatigue, prevent colds, carry out appropriate physical exercise; drink more water, do not hold urine, in order to keep the urinary tract open, conducive to the discharge of prostatic secretions. Prevention of urinary tract stones: the easiest and most effective way is to take in at least 3,000 ml of water every day; maintain a regular amount of moderate exercise every day to help reduce the production of material precipitation and crystals; eat more water-dissipating diuretic foods, such as adzuki beans, carp, winter melon, cucumber, etc. Prevention of acute nephritis: actively prevent streptococcal infections such as tonsillitis, scarlet fever, skin impetigo, etc., which is the primary measure to prevent the disease. Prevention of bladder tumor: bladder tumor is related to exogenous carcinogenic substances such as β-naiamine, benzidine compounds, smoking and some carcinogenic substances in life. Therefore, we should strengthen labor protection, reduce the contact with exogenous carcinogenic substances and drink more water in general, all of which can play a certain preventive role. It is worth mentioning that once hematuria appears, it is often an early sign of kidney disease, so it should not be taken lightly and must be followed up regularly. This is because the disease will only be fully exposed after a period of time. There are also some asymptomatic patients with hematuria, which can persist for a long time and is not of particular clinical significance. These patients should avoid excessive use of various medications, especially those with nephrotoxic effects, to avoid unnecessary kidney damage. In conclusion, patients with hematuria should follow the advice of a specialist and proceed with diagnosis and treatment in a reasonable manner to protect their health.