Red blood cells are microscopic cells present in human blood. They transport oxygen and carbon dioxide through vessels and capillaries, performing one of the most important functions in our body - gas exchange. Their presence in the urine is permissible only in very small quantities, and an increased content may indicate that some organs do not work properly. Let's see what red blood cells in urine mean.
Urine as an indicator
Blood not only supplies organs and tissues with necessary substances, but also takes away from them already used or not absorbed products. The kidneys filter it, returning what may be useful, and cutting off everything that is unnecessary, then to remove it from the body. Thus, the body gets rid of toxins, poisons, an excess of hormones and salts, as well as just useless particles that somehow appeared in it.
Due to the close connection between the excretory and circulatory systems, urine analysis is one of the common ways to identify various pathologies and disorders that exist within us. If some organs do not work properly, extra cells or elements often appear in the blood, which then enter the fluids secreted by the body.
Elevated red blood cells in the urine is called hematuria, and has the same origin. This is not an independent disease, but just a symptom that appears in connection with many reasons. Sometimes they have a temporary, purely physiological, character. In other cases, they may indicate a serious health problem.
Increase in the absence of pathology
Red blood cells are very sensitive cells. They respond to changes in the environment, a sharp change in habits or lifestyle, excessive stress on the body, etc. All this can lead to a change in the number of blood cells, however, when the effect of the negative factor ends, then the cells return to normal.
Common physiological causes of a large number of red blood cells in the urine:
- prolonged stay in the heat or in hot and stuffy rooms;
- abuse of spicy foods and spices;
- alcohol intoxication;
- excessive physical labor, sports;
- menstruation;
- stress or nervous shock;
- taking drugs with anticoagulation effect.
Other causes of hematuria
In most cases, if there is an excessive amount of red blood cells in the urine, this means that the body is undergoing an inflammatory process and some systems are malfunctioning. Depending on the area in which the "malfunction" occurred, the following causes of hematuria are distinguished:
- Somatic or prerenal - red blood cells increase due to diseases of organs that are not related to the urinary system. Among them: hemophilia, thrombosis, arteriovenous fistula, embolism of veins and arteries. These can be viruses, infections, parasite infections, poisoning, blood or immunity problems, as well as diseases that occur with hemorrhagic syndrome.
- Renal - diseases or injuries of the kidneys, for example, various tumors, cysts, stones, pyelonephritis, hemangioma, malformations of the kidneys, chronic or acute failure.
- Postrenal - injuries and diseases that occur in the bladder and urethra, for example, tumors, stones, ulcers, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis.
Blood cells in the urine can appear as a result of primary organ damage, when hematuria is one of the main symptoms of the disease. With a secondary lesion, it occurs as a complication of a systemic disease. Another reason is genetic diseases, such as Goodpasture syndrome, Alport syndrome, hereditary onychoarthrosis, Fabry disease, systemic lupus erythematosus.
Red blood cells in the urine of women
The amount of red bodies in the urine varies, depending on the age and gender of the person. The standard test method involves a general clinical analysis, where they are counted by examining the discharge directly into the microscope. In women, the norm is from zero to three red blood cells in the field of view. A change in the hormonal background cannot affect their behavior, therefore, even during pregnancy, their level should remain within the indicated limits. Exceeding the norm can be caused by diseases and disorders such as:
- cystitis;
- colpitis;
- cervical erosion;
- urethritis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- inflammation of the pelvic organs;
- fibromyoma;
- malignant neoplasms.
Hematuria in men
For men, the rate of red blood cells in urine is less than in women. It is permissible that in the field of view there should be no more than one blood cell. Diseases that affect their increase are:
- urethritis;
- prostatitis;
- prostate adenoma;
- prostate abscess;
- vesiculitis;
- hemophilia;
- tumors in the genitourinary system.
Red blood cells in urine in children
The children's body develops very quickly and requires more frequent examinations. Checking the presence of red blood cells in the urine of a child is recommended every year. In newborns, they should be no more than 6-7, at an older age - no more than 4-5.
An increased number of red bodies can indicate dysmetabolic disorders associated with malnutrition. This happens when too many protein foods, preservatives, chocolate, or citrus fruits are present in the diet. They contribute to the deposition of salts, which injure the urethra when passing through them.
At an early age, red blood cells in the urine are often a sign of hereditary diseases or congenital disorders. Therefore, doctors must study a family history, paying special attention to the records of coagulation, kidney diseases, infections, the presence of nephropathy, hematuria, hearing and vision pathologies in parents.
The most common causes of hematuria are:
pyelonephritis;
- urethritis;
- schistosomiasis;
- kidney tuberculosis;
- phimosis in boys;
- Berger disease ;
- Alport syndrome;
- Shenlein-Genoch jade;
- tumors;
- injuries
- arteriovenous abnormalities.
How does hematuria manifest?
In approximately 15% of patients, the presence of red blood cells in the urine is not felt at all and is asymptomatic. In other cases, it is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, fever, cramps or pain in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, whining in the lower back.
In addition, hematuria can appear against the background of general weakness, nausea, loss of appetite and increased fatigue. Various somatic causes can cause high blood pressure, cramps, myalgia, anemia, hyperkalemia and hypernatremia, as well as other symptoms that are directly related to the underlying disease. Disruption of the urinary system is often accompanied by lower back pain, discomfort and discomfort in the lower abdomen and perineum, dysuria.
In appearance, it is not always possible to determine elevated red blood cells in the urine or not. If their concentration is higher than normal, but this does not appear visually, then we are talking about microhematuria. In this case, red bodies can be detected only with the help of analyzes and studies of fluid images. With macrohematuria, the number of red blood cells is so high that they stain the urine pink or brown. Sometimes blood is present in it as small clots and spots.
Analyzes
Red blood cells in urine can be detected even by a standard clinical analysis, during which it is also checked for a number of other deviations. For him, the discharge is collected early in the morning in the middle of the urination process. A clinical examination is performed to identify the presence of violations.
The degree of the disease and its localization allow you to find out the following tests:
- Sample Nechiporenko - allows you to identify the exact number of blood cells. It is carried out after a general analysis has revealed that there is a problem. Urine in a test tube is placed in a centrifuge and mixed in it for several minutes, and then checked under a microscope. The number of red blood cells found is multiplied by a factor. The norm of red blood cells for analysis is 1000 / ml.
- The Kakovsky-Addis method - determines the daily fluctuation of red blood cells, white blood cells and cylinders in the urine, finds out which cells are more. Based on this, you can find out which disease led to unpleasant symptoms. Urine sampling occurs during the day, the red blood cell norm for analysis is no more than 1-2 million (1.0-2.0 * 106 / day.).
- Three-glass test - allows you to detect in which area of the body a violation occurred. The fluid of one urination is collected by the patient in three different containers, at different stages of the process. Depending on the particular tube in which the level of red blood cells will be increased, we can conclude about the source of the problem. For example, in case of bladder disease, blood will be in the middle portion of urine, and in case of kidney damage, in the last portion.
For a more accurate picture and specific causes of hematuria, other examinations are carried out:
- Ultrasound of the urinary canals;
- Ultrasound of the abdomen;
- an x-ray of the kidneys;
- MRI and CT of urine excretion organs;
- blood chemistry.
Analysis Preparation
So that the test for red blood cells in the urine does not give a false result, a number of simple rules must be observed before analysis:
- Wait at least four days after menstruation.
- Reduce the amount of protein in your diet.
- A day before the analysis, do not drink a lot of water.
- Do not play sports, exclude physical activity, a sauna or a bath at least a day before the delivery of urine.
- Do not take anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and diuretics in a day or two.
- Collect material in a clean container, preferably purchased at a pharmacy.
- Rinse genitals thoroughly before harvesting.
- Take the material to the laboratory no later than two hours after collection, otherwise a lot of bacteria will accumulate in it.
Treatment and management of symptoms
Since the increased concentration of red blood cells is the result of more serious health problems, it is the source of the problem that needs to be treated. By reducing the level of red bodies in the urine, only a symptom can be eliminated, moreover, the effect will be short-term if you do not get rid of the disease itself.
All disorders in which there is blood in the urine are quite dangerous and can easily become chronic. Therefore, it is desirable to respond to the symptom quickly and be sure to undergo all the tests prescribed by the doctor.