"What Does a Positive Urine Occult Blood Test Indicate?"

Positive Urine Occult Blood

Positive urine occult blood refers to a positive result in the urine occult blood test, indicating the presence of red blood cells or red blood cell fragments in the urine. This typically signifies a potential bleeding condition that may involve multiple parts of the urinary system, encompassing urinary system inflammation, urinary calculi, urinary system tumors, kidney diseases, physiological factors, among others.

1. Urinary System Inflammation

Common examples include cystitis and urethritis. Inflammation causes congestion, edema, and even erosion of the urinary system mucosa, leading to bleeding. These conditions are often accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and dysuria.

2. Urinary Calculi

As urinary stones move, they may scratch the renal pelvis, ureter, or bladder mucosa, causing bleeding. Patients may experience symptoms like lumbago, abdominal pain, and dysuria.

3. Urinary System Tumors

For instance, renal cancer and bladder cancer involve tumor tissue invading the urinary tract mucosa, leading to bleeding. This type of bleeding is often painless and may persist, necessitating high vigilance.

4. Kidney Diseases

Diseases like glomerulonephritis and IgA nephropathy can damage the glomerular filtration membrane, allowing red blood cells to enter the urine through the damaged membrane. Patients may experience symptoms such as proteinuria and edema.

5. Physiological Factors

In some cases, positive urine occult blood may be physiological, occurring after intense exercise or during a woman's menstrual cycle. These situations generally do not require special treatment and can be reassessed after rest or avoiding menstruation.

Positive urine occult blood is a test result that demands attention as it may signify various urinary system diseases. Timely medical consultation and further examinations are crucial to determine the underlying cause and administer appropriate treatment.