Definition of Blood in the urine

Blood in the urine: Blood in the urine is termed hematuria.

Gross hematuria refers to blood that is so plentiful in the urine that the blood is visible grossly, with just the naked eye.

Gross hematuria is in contrast to microhematuria in which the blood is visible only under a microscope: there is so little blood that it cannot be seen without magnification.

Hematuria, whether it be gross or microscopic, is abnormal and should be further investigated. It may or may not be accompanied by pain. Painful hematuria can be caused by a number of disorders, including infections and stones in the urinary tract. Painless hematuria can also be due to a large number of causes, including cancer.