Take the UTI Quiz Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Slideshow Pictures Urinary Incontinence in Women Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Blood in the Urine Symptoms and Signs

Blood in the urine is itself a symptom rather than a disease. The appearance of the urine is usually not a clue as to the cause.

• In gross hematuria, the urine appears pinkish, red, or smoky brown (like cola or tea). There may be small blood clots. The amount of blood in the urine does not indicate the seriousness of the condition.
• In microscopic hematuria, the urine appears normal.

Many people with hematuria have no other symptoms. Other symptoms that may be present are related to the underlying cause of the bleeding.

• Pain in the flank (side of the body between the ribs and the hips), back, lower belly (abdomen), or groin
• Burning sensation or pain when urinating (dysuria)
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite

Kidney stones: Not all people with kidney stones have all of these symptoms.

• Pain, often severe, in the flank, back, or lower abdominal pain that may radiate to the groin area. In men, the pain will often radiate into the scrotum.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Usually a normal temperature
• Frequent urination
• Burning sensation with urination
• Restlessness: constant moving around (writhing) to find relief from pain

Urinary tract infection: Symptoms may be similar to those of kidney stones.

• Pain in lower back, flank, lower abdomen, or groin may be severe but not enough to cause writhing.
• Fever with or without chills
• More frequent urination
• Sensation of having to urinate but little urine produced (urinary urgency)
• Burning sensation or pain with urination
• Cloudy urine due to pus in the urine