What is Hematuria? Hematuria is defined as the presence of red
blood cells in the urine. It can be characterized as either
"gross" (visible to the naked eye) or "microscopic" (visible
only under the microscope). Microscopic hematuria is often an
incidental finding often discovered on urine tests as part of a
routine medical evaluation. Hematuria can originate from any
site along the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters,
bladder, prostate and urethra. What should you do if you find
out that there's blood in your urine? Visible hematuria is often
worrisome and may prompt you to seek medical attention; however,
microscopic hematuria can be just as significant. Both types of
hematuria are abnormal and should never be ignored. Notify your
doctor even if you see blood only once so that you can be
evaluated. What are the common causes of hematuria? In many
people, blood in the urine not a sign of significant disease and
no specific cause is found. However, hematuria may be a marker
for a serious underlying