What is hematuria?

Hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine, which is a significant finding when assessing renal and urinary tract health. It can occur due to various causes, including infections, kidney stones, trauma, or other underlying medical conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, or urethra.

Identifying hematuria is crucial in clinical assessments, as it often indicates that there may be an underlying issue capable of affecting the patient's health. Evaluating the characteristics of the blood in urine, such as whether it is microscopic (only detectable under a microscope) or gross (visible to the naked eye), can provide further insights for diagnosis and management.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different urinary findings: glucose indicates issues with blood sugar levels or diabetes, protein suggests possible kidney dysfunction, and increased urination relates to frequency or volume changes in urination, which can indicate various conditions but are not directly related to hematuria.