Urine is more than just waste—it reflects the body’s metabolic processes and helps eliminate toxins. Produced by the kidneys and stored in the bladder, urine offers valuable insights into our health. Changes in volume, color, or odor may signal underlying medical conditions.
Normal urine ranges from pale yellow to amber. If it appears red or dark brown, it may indicate hematuria—blood in the urine. Hematuria occurs when red blood cells leak into the urinary tract, which can happen anywhere from the kidneys to the urethra and is often linked to urological conditions.
Kidney stones—hard mineral deposits formed from concentrated urine—are a frequent cause of hematuria and severe flank pain. Dehydration or insufficient fluid intake allows minerals to crystallize and obstruct the urinary tract. This blockage can lead to further complications such as UTIs, hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney), or even kidney failure if untreated.
In middle-aged men, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate gland enlargement, can cause hematuria. The enlarged gland compresses the urethra, disrupting normal urine flow. Associated symptoms include frequent urination (more than eight times a day), nighttime urination (nocturia), urgency, difficulty starting urination, and intermittent stream.
Other causes of hematuria include medications, certain foods, or intense physical activity. When triggered by fatigue or stress, the condition often resolves with rest. Mild infections usually respond well to antibiotics or simple lifestyle changes.
Since hematuria may stem from a wide range of conditions, some of which are serious, any unusual change in urine color should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Lim Hye Jung, HEALTH IN NEWS TEAM
press@hinews.co.kr
