Each person, receiving the results of tests on his hands, is worried, and if the doctor speaks of elevated red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine, there is reason to think about your health. After all, their increased content may indicate the presence of diseases of various organs.
What are white blood cells?
White blood cells are shaped elements of blood, namely, white blood cells that have a nucleus. Their formation occurs in the bone marrow and lymph nodes. The main function of white blood cells is to protect the body from extraneous agents. White blood cells are phagocytically active, and in addition, they participate in the formation of immunity, as well as in the exchange of heparin and histamine, due to which such components of the immune response as antibody-forming, antimicrobial, antitoxic and others are realized.
What is the normal white blood cell count?
To talk about whether red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine are elevated, it should be understood what norms of the content of these bodies in the blood are acceptable for different age groups. The rate may vary depending on the age of the subject, as well as on the rate of influx of cells from the bone marrow.
An increase in the content of leukocytes over 10 * 10 9 indicates the development of a disease such as leukocytosis, and a decrease below 4 * 10 9 - leukopenia.
What are red blood cells?
Red blood cells are the main elements of the blood, their presence in the blood is significant, but they can also be contained in other shaped elements. These blood cells look like a disc that is slightly thickened around the edges. This structure allows them to freely and quickly pass through the circulatory system.
The task of red blood cells is to saturate the organs and cells with oxygen. Their amount in the blood and urine should be normal, and if a person is found to have elevated urine protein, white blood cells and red blood cells, this may be an indicator of the development of a serious disease, such as pyelonephritis.
The formation of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow. They include hemoglobin (two-thirds). Each red blood cell functions one hundred twenty days.
RBCs in urine
If a person has no health problems and inflammatory processes, then the number of red blood cells in urine should fit into a certain framework. Rates of red blood cells in the urine for men and women are different. For women, the norm is 0-3, and for the stronger sex - 1-2 units. in sight.
If the analysis shows that the number of red blood cells is high, then this indicates hematuria. Is the urine brown or red? This indicates an increase in red blood cells. During the day when the bladder is empty, about two million red blood cells are excreted.
What diseases is indicated by the appearance of an admixture of red blood cells in the urine?
Suppose you have elevated red blood cells and white blood cells in your urine. The reasons may be different. But you need to understand what diseases such a deviation may indicate.
First of all, the presence of an increased number of red blood cells indicates diseases of the kidneys, urethra, prostate gland, ureters and urinary bladder. A kidney tumor, cystitis, pyelonephritis, nephrosis, hypertension, urolithiasis - it is with such diseases that the level of red blood cells can be increased.
What does an increase in red blood cells and white blood cells in urine in a woman mean?
If a doctor finds a woman has elevated red blood cells and white blood cells in her urine, then he may suspect an ailment such as endometriosis. Also, an increase in blood cells sometimes indicates the presence of menstruation. In this case, a more detailed examination of the female urogenital system may be necessary. If there are no red blood cells in the urine, which was taken by a catheter, this indicates a gynecological disease.
The causes of pathological hematuria are various. It may indicate diseases such as:
- Pyelonephritis, which provokes an infection of the kidneys and blood vessels. Here, blood seeps through the urinary tract and walls.
- Tumors of the kidneys that destroy blood vessels and provoke bleeding.
- Kidney stones that have traumatic effects on organs and blood vessels.
- Glomerulonephritis, in which the organ completely loses its ability to filter out substances.
- Hydronephrosis, in which stagnation of the excreted fluid by the bubble is observed. Pressure rises, causing bleeding.
- Kidney injury.
Also, red blood cells, white blood cells and protein in the urine can be increased in diseases of the bladder and urethra. We are talking about such ailments as:
- Cystitis is an infectious disease that affects the bladder, in which its strength decreases, which contributes to the leakage of blood particles into it.
- Tumor of the urethra and bladder.
- Stones in the urinary canal.
Increased red blood cells in diseases of the reproductive system
Red blood cells and white blood cells may increase due to the presence of diseases of the reproductive system in humans. For example, with:
- Cervical erosion.
- Infectious processes in the uterus (adenomyosis, endometriosis and others).
Attention! If the red blood cells in the urine are elevated, the white blood cells are normal, then such an analysis result may indicate the presence of any mechanical damage.
Non-pathological hematuria
As mentioned above, an increase in red blood cells in the urine of women can be observed during menstruation, which is not a deviation from the norm. But there are other reasons that cause an increase in blood cells in the urine.
Far from always elevated red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine are an indicator of the pathological process in the human body, and therefore it does not require immediate treatment. It happens that the reason for the increase in red blood cells in urine is a physiological increase in the permissible norm of blood cells.
The increase in the indicator may be affected by:
- Alcohol intoxication.
- Severe stressful situation.
- Taking medications that prevent blood clots.
- Excessive exercise.
- Eating spices and hot spices in large quantities.
Increased white blood cells in urine
The first cause of an increase in white blood cell count in urine can be an acute inflammatory process. By leukocyte, the localization of inflammation can be determined. For example, if white blood cells with a single nucleus have increased, then this indicates an exacerbation of kidney diseases. If the inflammation is located in the urinary tract, then the analysis will show white blood cells with several nuclei.
If inflammation in the kidneys is accompanied by dystrophic disturbance or metabolic defects, then fat connections are found in white blood cells.
In kidney diseases such as pyelonephritis, the largest number of "renal" white blood cells is observed. With glomerulonephritis, an increase in the number of leukocytes of this type is observed much less often.
If an increase in the number of leukocytes is accompanied by eosinophils, then this suggests that the inflammatory process is accompanied by an allergic reaction.
The cause of an increase in white blood cells in the urine can be such ailments as cystitis and urethritis.
Other reasons
In addition to the occurrence of inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system, an increase in white blood cells in human urine can be caused by other reasons.
For example, white blood cells increase during pregnancy, which is absolutely normal. But if you are in a position and you have elevated red blood cells, you need to beware.
During pregnancy, the activity of the hormonal system of a woman is activated. Therefore, there is an increase in white blood cells in the urine. However, it should not be high all the time. The norm is only those periods when there is a fluctuation in the level of leukocytes, that is, they either decrease or increase. A constantly high level of these bodies indicates an infectious disease. Elevated red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine that do not go down for a long time are cause for concern.
Baby - what to look for?
The increased content of leukocytes and red blood cells in the urine happens not only in adults, but also in children. You should pay attention if the child has problems with urination, for example, he began to complain of pain when the bladder is empty or goes to the toilet too often.
Changing the color of urine may also indicate problems. Even if it is insignificant.
Clouding of urine indicates an increase in white blood cells in urine. Therefore, if you notice that urine is cloudy and there is sediment in it - sound the alarm.
An increase in the number of blood cells in the urine is not always due to pathological processes in the human body. But it is better to monitor your well-being and the color of urine. This will help you see a doctor on time and prevent an acute infectious disease from becoming chronic. Are white blood cells and red blood cells in the urine? Do not worry, but go through a full examination. Treating a chronic disease is much more difficult.