Yes, certain foods and medications can cause drops of blood in urine,a condition known as hematuria. Hematuria can either be microscopic, where
blood is not visible to the naked eye, or gross, where the urine appears
visibly red, pink, or brown. The presence of blood in the urine can be a sign
of a serious underlying medical condition and should be evaluated promptly by a
healthcare provider.
Foodsthat can cause blood in urine
1. Beetroot and berries: Consuming alarge amount of beetroot or berries can cause the urine to turn red or pink.
This is due to the presence of a pigment called betanin that gives these foods
their red color.
2. Rhubarb: Rhubarb contains highlevels of oxalic acid, which can cause the formation of calcium oxalate
crystals in the urinary tract. These crystals can irritate the bladder and
cause blood in the urine.
3. Artificial food coloring: Someartificial food colorings, such as Red #40, can cause urine to turn pink or
red.
4. Fava beans: Fava beans contain acompound called vicine, which can cause hemolytic anemia in people with a
genetic deficiency of an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD). Hemolytic anemia can lead to the breakdown of red blood cells,
resulting in blood in the urine.
Medicationsthat can cause blood in urine
1. Blood thinners: Medications thatprevent blood clots, such as aspirin, warfarin, and heparin, can cause bleeding
in the urinary tract.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can irritate the lining of
the urinary tract and cause bleeding.
3. Antibiotics: Some antibiotics, suchas penicillin and sulfonamides, can cause allergic reactions that lead to
hematuria.
4. Chemotherapy drugs: Chemotherapydrugs can damage the lining of the bladder and cause bleeding.
Medicalconditions that can cause blood in urine
1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs):UTIs are a common cause of hematuria, particularly in women. The infection can
irritate the lining of the bladder and cause bleeding.
2. Kidney stones: Kidney stones arehard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause pain and bleeding
as they pass through the urinary tract.
3. Enlarged prostate: Men with an enlargedprostate gland may experience hematuria as the gland presses against the
urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
4. Kidney or bladder cancer: Cancerousgrowths in the kidneys or bladder can cause blood in the urine.
5. Glomerulonephritis: Glomerulonephritisis a condition that causes inflammation in the tiny filters (glomeruli) of the
kidneys, which can lead to hematuria.
6. Polycystic kidney disease:Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts
to form in the kidneys, which can lead to bleeding.
7. Sickle cell anemia: Sickle cellanemia is a genetic disorder that causes abnormally shaped red blood cells to
be produced, which can lead to hematuria.
Inconclusion, hematuria canbe caused by a variety of factors, including certain foods, medications, and
medical conditions. If you experience blood in your urine, it is important to
see a health care provider to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Read more : What steps can be taken to prevent parvo disease in dogs?
