While in many instances the cause is harmless, blood in the urine (hematuria) might indicate a serious disorder.

When to see a doctor

Some medications and certain foods, including beets, rhubarb and berries, can cause your urine to turn red. A change in urine color caused by drugs, food or exercise might go away within a few days.

Bloody urine looks different, but you might not be able to tell the difference. It’s best to see your doctor anytime you see red-colored urine.

Risk factors

Almost anyone can have red blood cells in the urine. Factors that make this more likely include:

• Age. Many men older than 50 have occasional hematuria due to an enlarged prostate gland.
• An infection. Kidney inflammation after a viral or bacterial infection is one of the causes of visible urinary blood in children.
• Family history. Your chance might increase if you have a family history of kidney disease or kidney stones.
• Certain medications. Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers and antibiotics such as penicillin are known to increase the risk of urinary bleeding.
• Strenuous exercise. Long-distance runners are especially prone to exercise-induced urinary bleeding. Anyone who works out strenuously can develop symptoms.

I will be talking further about blood in urine in the upcoming blog. Stay connected.